Key Points
Introduction
- The RMS Titanic sank on April 15, 1912, and its wreck is covered with rusticles, which are iron oxy-hydroxide precipitates formed by microbial activity.
- During a 2005 expedition, James Cameron discovered unique rusticle formations called “Rustflowers” in the Titanic’s Turkish Baths.
Methods and Materials
- Rusticles were collected from the Titanic’s #8 davit bitt for analysis.
- Techniques used included ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
Findings
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Rusticle Composition:
- Rusticles are composed of various iron oxy-hydroxides, including goethite and lepidocrocite.
- They contain crystalline sulfur inclusions, indicating chemosynthetic microbial activity.
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Magnetotaxis:
- Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) in rusticles use magnetosomes to align with Earth’s geomagnetic field, guiding their movement.
- FMR analysis showed the presence of biogenic magnetofossil chains, indicating former MTB activity.
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Rustflower Formation:
- Rustflowers are thin, vertical rusticle formations found exclusively in the Turkish Baths.
- Their unique morphology is influenced by magnetotaxis, with rusticles growing upward along geomagnetic field lines.
Discussion
- The anoxic and reducing environment of the Turkish Baths preserves the rusticles and supports unique microbial communities.
- The presence of magnetofossils suggests that MTB played a significant role in the formation of Rustflowers.
- Rusticles contribute to the biogeochemical iron cycle and may influence seafloor magnetism.
Conclusion
- Rusticles on the Titanic are microbially-mediated corrosion products that harvest iron from the wreck.
- Magnetotaxis and the bacterial growth environment contribute to the distinctive Rustflower formations.
- Further analysis of Rustflowers and the Titanic’s microbial composition could provide more insights into these processes.
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Citation:
Anthony El-Khouri, Charles Pellegrino & James Cameron Rusticle magnetotaxis elucidating Rustflower formations in RMS Titanic’s Turkish Baths Deep-Sea Research
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