Iron-Manganese Nodule Dynamics in Soil Environments
Summary
Iron–manganese nodules are discrete, concentrically layered aggregates of iron and manganese oxides that form within soil profiles under fluctuating redox conditions. Their development is governed by cycles of water saturation and aeration, which drive the mobilisation and precipitation of Fe and Mn through microbial mediation and abiotic processes. These nodules influence soil structure and porosity, affect nutrient and contaminant retention, and serve as indicators of palaeoenvironmental conditions. The interplay between parent material, soil pH, hydrology and biological activity determines the size, composition and spatial distribution of nodules. In agricultural and natural settings, these nodules play a critical role in the sequestration of trace metals and in the regulation of soil redox chemistry, with implications for crop productivity, groundwater quality and land management strategies on a global scale.
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Iron-Manganese Nodule Dynamics in Soil Environments publication trend
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Technical terms
Iron–Manganese Nodule: A rounded aggregate of iron and manganese oxides formed in soils under alternating oxidising and reducing conditions.
Redoximorphic Features: Soil colour patterns, such as mottles or concretions, that indicate past or present redox processes.
Oxyhydroxide: A mineral phase composed of metal cations (e.g., Fe³⁺, Mn³⁺/⁴⁺) bound to hydroxide and oxide groups, often precipitated during redox cycling.
Karst: A landscape underlain by soluble rocks (typically carbonates) characterised by sinkholes, caves and underground drainage influencing soil chemistry.
Pedon: The smallest volume of soil that represents the full range of horizons and characteristics of a particular soil type.
References
- Mineral Composition and Environmental Importance of Fe–Mn Nodules in Soils in Karst Areas of Guangxi, China. Sustainability (2022).
- Geochemical Behaviors of Heavy Metal(loid)s in Soil Ferromanganese Nodules in Typical Karst Areas in Southwest China. Agronomy (2023).
- Detailed Soil Survey Field and Laboratory Data as a Critical Tool for Optimizing the Arable Cropping Capability Evaluation of a Representative Episaturated Soil Pedon in Greece. Land (2022).
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