Leaching of silica and uranium and other quantitative aspects of the lithobiontic colonization in a radioactive thermal spring

The formation of microbial mats by thermophilic organisms on submerged rocks in radioactive thermal springs was followed quantitatively in situ as well as under experimental conditions, by determining the change in dry weight and organic matter as a function of time. Furthermore, the decay of the rock occurring in the springs could be shown to be directly related to the microbial colonization. Early in that process the formation of silicious gels, facilitating the settling of the organisms, could be observed. Simultaneously, this was accompanied by the leaching of silica from the underlying rock. This resulted in the destruction of the rock, which had been altered to a fine-grained dust underneath the colonizing mats; the microorganisms were found to move further downward within this layer. From the heavy metals present in the rock—iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), uranium (U)— the leaching of uranium could be demonstrated, leading to the acquisition of this metal in the microbial mats in concentrations up to 15.34g/mg dry weight. Direct evidence for the leaching of Si (silicon) and U could be obtained by measurement of these elements after their release from ground rock chips in cultures with microorganisms from the hot springs at 50°C. X-ray analysis of the biomats strongly suggested that Cu, Mn, and Fe are also accumulated.