Morphology, distribution and significance of the manganese-accumulating microorganism metallogenium in lakes

Abstract

The manganese-accumulating microorganism Metallogenium is very common in the deep water and on the sediment surface in lakes of the Oslo district, southern Norway . Metallogenium accumulates manganese in its star-shaped coenobia ; other trace metals are also greatly concentrated . The taxonomic position of the organism is uncertain . Sections of coenobia suggests that the encrusted parts are not enclosing living structures .In lake Nordbytjern, the occurrence of Metallogenium coincides with periods of turbulence in the lake . By sinking, the population accumulates close to the chemocline, becoming heavily encrusted . Plankton traps indicate that Metallogenium adds to the downward transport and accumulation of manganese and iron in the lake .

Biotests with phytoplankton assemblages. Growth limitation along temporal and spatial gradients

“…In Lake Nordbytjern quantitative countings of diatom cells were made on sedimenting matter sampled from 30 x 7 cm (inner diameter) plexiglass cylinders suspended in pairs at 8 m depth (see Klaveness, 1977 for further details). Sedimenting matter was sampled regularly 1-3 times a month.…”

Enigmatic Microorganisms and Life in Extreme Environments

“…The early survey and review by this author (Klaveness 1977) showed quite clearly that the distribution of the stage of Metallogenium that could be recognised in the plankton (the "trichospherical" stage) was limited to lakes with certain common properties. The typical…”

“…Hard evidence for the different stages of a cycle, e.g. Subsequent electron microscopy work on natural material oflimnic origin (Klaveness 1977, Gregory et al 1980, Jaquet et al 1982, Schmidt and Overbeck 1984 failed to confirm the presence of what might have been living cells inside or in connection with the trichospheric stages of Metallogenium. Using phase contrast light microscopy and electron microscopy of negatively stained preparations from mixed cultures of alleged "Metallogenium" and a fungus, Dubinina (1969) documented "polymorphic cells measuring 2.5-0.5 Ilm", "filamentous growth", "sprouting filament" and "formation of buds".…”

A Note on Chalcophanite Formation in a Recent Lake

“…RECENT mineralogical interest in the nature of manganese oxide particulates in natural marine water (Suess, 1979), natural lake water (Klaveness, 1977), and simulated lake water (Giovanoli, 1980), prompted a search for such particulates in a large New South Wales coastal lake. While the investigation revealed the presence of sparse amounts of poorly crystalline particulates in near-surface waters, it did show the existence of manganese oxide replacement phenomena in fragmentary sedimentary rocks near the lake margin.…”