Quantification of the inorganic phase of the pelagic aggregates from an iron contaminated lake by means of Raman spectroscopy

A semi-quantitative investigation of the inorganic phase of pelagic, iron-rich aggregates (iron snow, IS) formed in an iron polluted aquatic environment was performed by means of Raman spectroscopy. IS samples were collected from two basins of an acidic lignite mine lake and at two different water depths. Although the water chemistry differed at all four sites with respect to oxygen, pH, and, Fe(II) concentrations, the Raman analyses showed that the main mineral formed was schwertmannite (ideal formula: Fe8O8(OH)6SO4) with concentrations of more than 88% in all IS samples. To determine potential differences in the microbial communities of the IS samples we used denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. Microbial communities differed between two basins, but showed similarities between redoxcline and deeper water layers of IS samples from the same basin. Surprisingly, these microbiological differences did not lead to strikingly qualitative similarities in the mineral composition, although the initial step in mineral formation, the oxidation of Fe(II) to Fe(III), is a pure microbial process at low pH. Thus, a semi-quantitative method was necessary to elucidate differences in the consecutive mineralization process which is apparently more controlled by water geochemical conditions.