Advances in Nanoscale Study of Organomineral Complexes of Termite Mounds and Associated Soils: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Termite mounds are replete with natural nanoparticles, and they vary in physicochemical, geochemical, mineralogical, and biological properties from the adjoining soils. Although termite mounds have wide ecological and environmental roles including soil formation, faunal and vegetation growth and diversity, organic matter decomposition, geochemical exploration, water survey, treatment of underground contamination, thermoregulation, gas exchange, and global climate change, their nanoscale structures made by the associated organomineral complexes are still poorly understood because of technical limitations. In this review, we highlight the ecological and environmental significance of termite mounds and the documented techniques that have been successfully used to study nanostructure of termite mounds, namely, midinfrared spectroscopy (MIRS), photogrammetry and cross-sectional image analysis, a combination of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and pyrolysis field ionization mass spectrometry (Py-FIMS), scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM) using synchrotron radiation in conjunction with near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy, and high-resolution magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (HR-MAS NMR) for further appraisals. There is a need to continually develop and integrate nanotechnology with the routine classical soil analysis methods to improve our understanding of the functional mechanisms of nanostructure of termite mounds that are responsible for specific properties. In view of the numerous roles termite mounds play in the environments, agriculture, and engineering, there is no better time to channel much research into understanding how they function at nanoscale.

Refractory properties of snail shell particulate modified termite clay

“…Clay deposits in Nigeria occupy an estimated 1 billion tons of proven reserves which are available in the nation's states. Previous studies found that, when subjected to refractory tests, the action of termite clay-based materials was in strong contrast with the firebricks obtained (Legese et al, 2021;Eze et al, 2020).…”

Termite mound soil based potting media: a better approach towards sustainable agriculture

“…Termite mounds are structures of soil built by termites in several tropical ecosystems ( Jouquet et al, 2015 ). These biogenic structures are built to protect the colonies from various environmental and biological factors ( Eze et al, 2020 ). These structures contain soil particles of clay and organic matter cemented together ( Harit et al, 2017 ; Jouquet et al, 2021 , 2022 ).…”

Termite Mound Soils for Sustainable Production of Bricks

“…In the southern and western parts of Ethiopia, the average mound abundance was found to be 12 mound hills/ha, and the estimated termite mound soil mass is 58.9 t/ha (tonne/hectare) (Fufa, 2016). Termite mound soil is available everywhere (Miyagawa et al, 2011;Eze et al, 2020). According to Fuyane et al (2013), extraction of clay for brick making causes land degradation because extensive and excessive clay removal from one place may affect human health by creating pools and still water, which provide a suitable environment for mosquitoes and malaria.…”

“…It is a better material than ordinary clay in terms of utilisation for moulding (Alake and Akaninyene, 2014). Globally, it is reported that mounds are clay-rich sites, and the composition of many chemical elements are greater than surrounding soils (Eze et al, 2020).…”