VULCANOLOGY

  

Unveiling Japan's geological history through volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits

Researchers unveil key insights into Japan's geological history through Re–Os dating of volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits

Waseda University

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Explore the groundbreaking study that uses Re–Os isotope dating to reveal the timing of key tectonic events beneath Japan. Learn how Besshi-type volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits are helping scientists understand ridge subduction, volcanic activity, and the formation of Japan’s unique geological landscape. Discover the role of mineral deposits in shaping Earth’s history and their potential in future mineral exploration.

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Credit: Professor Tatsuo Nozaki from the Waseda University

The Earth’s surface is constantly reshaped by the movement of tectonic plates, which make up the continental crust on which we are living. These tectonic plates are in continuous motion, and when one plate is pushed under another, it is called “subduction.” These processes play a crucial role in shaping the Earth’s landmasses, including the islands of Japan, over several hundred million years. Studying ancient mineral deposits offers a valuable way to uncover the timing of these events. However, determining the precise timing of these tectonic events has long been a challenge due to the destruction of microfossil evidence caused by intense heat.

With the growing interest in understanding Japan's detailed geological history, accurately determining the timing of past tectonic events has become increasingly important. To address this challenge, a research team led by Professor Tatsuo Nozaki (Waseda University, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), The University of Tokyo, and Kobe University) collaborated with Associate Professor Yutaro Takaya (The University of Tokyo, Waseda University, JAMSTEC), Adjunct Assistant Professor Ken Nakayama (Kochi University), and Professor Yasuhiro Kato (The University of Tokyo, Chiba Institute of Technology) to utilize mineral deposits for precisely dating these tectonic processes.

Their study focused on Besshi-type volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits distributed in Miyazaki and Hokkaido Prefectures. VMS deposits are rich in sulfide minerals and typically form near the ocean floor where volcanic activity occurs. These deposits, associated with in situ greenstone (a type of metamorphosed volcanic rock (basalt)), provided the researchers with an opportunity to establish the timing of ridge subduction beneath the Japanese Islands. The team used Re–Os (rhenium-osmium) isotope geochronology, a technique that allows scientists to date the age of the mineral deposits with great precision. Their findings were published in the journal of Scientific Reports on 3 December, 2024.

Ridge subduction is an important geological process that triggers volcanic activity, thermal metamorphism (the alteration of rocks by heat), and hydrothermal activity (chemical reactions between hydrothermal fluids and rocks). However, dating ridge subduction has been often difficult because the heat from this process destroys fossil records. To overcome this challenge, the researchers focused on Besshi-type VMS deposits that formed on sediment-covered mid-ocean ridges. The ages of these deposits can serve as precise markers for the timing of subduction.

Using the Re–Os isotope method, the team dated the Makimine VMS deposit in Miyazaki Prefecture to 89.4 ± 1.2 million years ago and the Shimokawa VMS deposit in Hokkaido Prefecture to 48.2 ± 0.9 million years ago. These deposits were formed just before the Izanagi–Pacific Ridge was subducted beneath Japan. Several factors supported this conclusion, such as the deposits' ages matching those of the surrounding sedimentary rocks, their close association with in situ greenstone, and the absence of chert (sedimentary rock originating from pelagic sediment). Evidence from sulfur and lead isotopes, along with high thermal gradients in the Makimine area, further confirmed their formation in a mid-ocean ridge environment before subduction.

“These VMS deposits are essential for understanding ridge subduction timing beneath Japan,” said Nozaki. “Dating them has allowed us to pinpoint when this tectonic event occurred, offering new insights into Japan's geological evolution.”

“This study not only sheds light on the timing of ridge subduction but also opens new possibilities for mineral exploration. Accurate dating could help identify new mineral deposits formed by similar tectonic processes, in Japan and globally,” Nozaki concluded.

 

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Reference

Authors: Tatsuo Nozaki1,2,3,8, YutaroTakaya1,4,5, Ken Nakayama6, and Yasuhiro Kato4,7

Title of original paper: Re–Os dating of the Makimine and Shimokawa VMS deposits for new age constraints on ridge subduction beneath Japanese Islands

Journal: Scientific Reports                                                         

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-80799-z

Affiliations         

1Submarine Resources Research Center, Research Institute for Marine Resources Utilization, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Japan

2Frontier Research Center for Energy and Resources, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Japan

3Department of Planetology, Graduate School of Science, Kobe University, Japan

4Department of Systems Innovation, The University of Tokyo, Japan

5Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Japan

6Marine Core Research Institute, Kochi University, Japan

7Ocean Resources Research Center for Next Generation, Chiba Institute of Technology, Japan

8Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Japan

 

About Waseda University

Located in the heart of Tokyo, Waseda University is a leading private research university that has long been dedicated to academic excellence, innovative research, and civic engagement at both the local and global levels since 1882. The University has produced many changemakers in its history, including nine prime ministers and many leaders in business, science and technology, literature, sports, and film. Waseda has strong collaborations with overseas research institutions and is committed to advancing cutting-edge research and developing leaders who can contribute to the resolution of complex, global social issues. The University has set a target of achieving a zero-carbon campus by 2032, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations in 2015.

To learn more about Waseda University, visit https://www.waseda.jp/top/en

 

About Professor Tatsuo Nozaki

Dr. Tatsuo Nozaki is a Professor at Waseda University and a visiting researcher at The University of Tokyo, Japan. His research focuses on the metallogenic study of seafloor mineral resources including seafloor hydrothermal deposit and their natural analogs on land such as volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits, together with Re–Os isotope dating and paleo-environmental studies using sedimentary rocks. He has authored numerous publications, including work on the genesis of mineral deposits and their relationship with global environmental changes. He is a member of academic societies such as the Society of Resource Geology, Society of Economic Geologists, Geological Society of Japan, Geochemical Society of Japan, and Japan Geoscience Union.

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Journal

Scientific Reports

DOI

10.1038/s41598-024-80799-z 

Method of Research

Observational study

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Re–Os dating of the Makimine and Shimokawa VMS deposits for new age constraints on ridge subduction beneath Japanese Islands

Underwater mud volcanos are a haven for marine organisms

UiT The Arctic University of Norway

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The underwater volcano Borealis Mud Volcano was discovered in the summer of 2023. Last year, the researchers were back at the volcano.

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Credit: Jørn Berger-Nyvoll / UiT

The underwater volcano Borealis Mud Volcano is located in the Barents Sea and was first discovered by researchers at UiT The Arctic University of Norway in 2023. The discovery received a lot of attention, and images of the volcano circulated around the world. Now researchers from UiT, in collaboration with REV Ocean, have finally published the results from an interdisciplinary investigation showing that Borealis mud volcano has a unique ecological role as a natural sanctuary for several marine species in the Barents Sea.

While some parts of the crater floor of Borealis appear inhospitable to a variety of organisms, the carbonate crusts – a type of mineral formed thousands of years ago – that characterized Borealis provide a suitably hard substrate for species of anemones, serpulids, demosponges, and sparse octocoral colonies. 

"Important for maintaining biodiversity"

In addition, the carbonates offer both shelter and feeding opportunities, playing an important role in sustaining the local fish populations. The researchers observed large schools of commercially valuable species like saithe and various demersal species such as spotted wolffish, cod, four-bearded rockling, and redfish (Sebastes spp.) clustering around the jagged carbonate formations.

“The redfish, for instance, is red listed, and we don’t know the consequences if it would disappear. Borealis is an oasis where different species can thrive and flourish. Thus, preserving ecosystems such as the Borealis Mud Volcano is essential for maintaining biodiversity and understanding the interactions between geology, geochemistry and biology in marine environments. We need that understanding, among other things, considering that the Arctic seabed plays an important role in oil and gas extraction activities and the emerging deep-sea mining industry”, says Professor Giuliana Panieri, lead author of the study recently published in Nature Communications.

Methan has leaked out, probably for thousands of years

Onboard the research vessel Kronprins Haakon in May 2024, researchers confirmed the previous discoveries. Using the remotely operated vehicle, ROV Aurora, the research team was able to make a series of observations of the underwater volcano. Among other things, they saw that it warms the surroundings to 11.5 degrees Celsius, while the seabed usually has a temperature of around 4 degrees Celsius.

The researchers also found sediments containing extinct, microscopic marine organisms from up to 2.5 million years ago and that small "mud cones" in the volcanic system are emitting vigorous methane-rich liquids. The fact that the seabed around the volcano is also characterized by extensive carbonate deposits indicates that methane has leaked out, probably for thousands of years.

“The Borealis Mud Volcano is a unique geological and ecological phenomenon that provides a rare insight into the complex interactions between geological processes and marine ecosystems. It is important to preserve these unique habitats, which play a crucial role in maintaining marine biodiversity”, says Panieri.

She reminds that, in the longer term, Norway has committed to the 30x30 target (protecting 30 % of land and sea by 2030) for spatial conservation measures of representative marine ecosystems, including in the deep sea. Protecting large areas of the deep-sea floor along the Norwegian margin may result in seep refugia acting as source populations for wider recolonization and restoration of benthic biological communities.

“The new findings show the power of international cooperation and how such cooperation can contribute to increasing our understanding of the world's oceans”, says Panieri.

Ischnochiton variegatus from the seabed.

Carbonate rock taken from the seabed.

Scott Wieman installs equipment on REV Ocean's ROV Aurora on FF Crown Prince Haakon.

Credit

Jørn Berger-Nyvoll/ UiT

The international team involved in the research, led by UiT The Arctic University of Norway:  

• REV Ocean
• The Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census
• Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
• Sokkeldirektoratet
• Universitetet i Bergen
• University of Aveiro
• University of Milano Bicocca 
• University of Western Australia
• Institute for Energy Technology
• Universitetet i Oslo
• National Oceanography Centre
• LIttoral ENvironnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), La Rochelle Université

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Journal

Nature Communications

DOI

10.1038/s41467-024-55712-x 

Method of Research

Observational study

Subject of Research

Animals

Article Title

Sanctuary for vulnerable Arctic species at the Borealis Mud Volcano

Article Publication Date

27-Jan-2025

Approaching the red planet from the kitchen

Niigata University

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Kitchen to Mars

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Credit: Niigata University

Niigata, Japan - Rootless cones are small volcanic landforms ranging from several to several hundred meters in diameter, formed by continuous explosions resulting from the interaction between surface lava and water bodies like lakes and rivers (Figure 1). Unlike regular volcanoes originating from magma rising from deep underground, rootless cones form when lava covers a water-containing layer, triggering explosive reactions. Due to this process, they are also called pseudocraters. While Iceland hosts many rootless cones, they are less common elsewhere, with small examples found along the Big Island’s coast in Hawaii. In contrast, vast fields of rootless cones have been identified on Mars, making their formation mechanisms a significant focus of planetary geology.

Associate Professor Rina Noguchi and her student Wataru Nakagawa of Niigata University conducted indoor analog experiments (Figure 2) to simulate rootless cone formation. They used heated starch syrup as a lava analog and a mixture of baking soda and cake syrup to represent a water-containing layer.

In natural settings, lava temperatures exceed 1000°C, heating water until it vaporizes and expands explosively. However, starch syrup reaches only about 140°C before caramelizing, insufficient to vaporize water. To overcome this, the researchers used baking soda’s thermal decomposition—a reaction familiar from making karumeyaki (Japanese honeycomb toffee)—to enhance foaming. When heated by starch syrup, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) releases carbon dioxide, intensifying foaming and simulating explosions akin to rootless cone formation. Cake syrup was added to adjust viscosity. The researchers varied the syrup thickness in a beaker and carefully analyzed the size and number of vents formed (Figure 2, right).

“We observed that conduits often failed to maintain their structure because they were disrupted by nearby forming conduits,” explained Assoc. Prof. Noguchi. The study revealed that conduit competition, in addition to water competition, significantly influences rootless cone spatial distribution. Thicker syrup layers showed more competition among conduits, increasing failed conduits, consistent with observations on Mars, where thicker lava correlates with fewer rootless cones. Conversely, in environments with abundant conduits (indicating many rootless cones), explosions were reduced due to limited water availability, leading to smaller cone edifices. This aligns with observations on Mars that show that areas with thin lava lack rootless cone-like features.

Further supporting this idea, failed conduit structures observed in terrestrial lava outcrops suggest that conduit competition universally affects rootless cone formation. These experiments and geological observations highlight that conduit merging and separation driven by lava thickness are key factors in determining the spatial distribution and size of rootless cones.

The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of rootless cone formation on Earth and advance knowledge about similar landforms on other planets, particularly Mars. Future research will integrate detailed field surveys with remote sensing data to refine formation models and improve interpretations of past environmental conditions linked to rootless cone development.

Rootless cones on Earth (left) and Mars (right). The photo on the left was taken at Lake Mývatn in Iceland. The image on the right was created using CTX Global Mosaic v.1.0 (Dickson et al., 2023).

Schematic diagram of the experiment (left) and the state of the beaker after the experiment was completed (right). In the right figure, the light-green dashed line indicates the conduit that reached the surface of the syrup, and the magenta line indicates the failed conduit.

Credit

Niigata University

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Journal

Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research

DOI

10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2024.108221 

Article Title

Experimental verification for self-organization process on the spatial distribution and edifice size of rootless cone

Sinking truths: University of Houston confirms Miami’s coastal subsidence challenges

35 skyscrapers sinking in Miami’s Barrier Islands

News Release 27-Jan-2025
University of Houston

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Researchers from the University of Houston Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, led by Assistant Professor Pietro Milillo, verified the findings with the extraordinary accuracy of InSAR.

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Credit: University of Houston

On the barrier islands of Miami, 35 skyscrapers – including Trump Tower III - have sunk as much as eight centimeters, or three inches, into the ground since 2016, and researchers from the University of Houston have played a pivotal role in uncovering the reason why – urban development.  

The findings, published in Earth and Space Science, reveal alarming rates of subsidence – or land sinking – in coastal structures between 2016 and 2023.   

According to the report, "About half of the subsiding structures are younger than 2014 and at the majority of them subsidence decays with time. This correlation suggests that the subsidence is related to construction activities." 

Verifying the data 

Researchers from the UH Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, led by Assistant Professor Pietro Milillo, verified the findings with the extraordinary accuracy of InSAR, (Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar), which can detect changes on the earth’s surface as small as the thickness of a credit card from outer space.  

InSAR is a satellite-based remote sensing method that detects ground movement, even millimetric deformations of the Earth, by comparing the differences in radar signals from two images of the same area taken at different times. 

“We attribute the sinking ground primarily to the weight and vibrations from high-rise construction,” said Milillo. “The phenomenon, described as creep deformation, occurs when sandy layers interbedded within Miami’s porous limestone geology compress under pressure, potentially compromising structural stability. Our work confirmed the spatial and temporal patterns of subsidence in the study. We demonstrated how construction-induced stresses extend well beyond building footprints, revealing risks to surrounding areas up to 320 meters away.” 

The study is a collaboration between the University of Houston and other leading institutions, including the University of Miami, the German Aerospace Center, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the University of Hannover in Germany. Amin Tavakkoliestahbanati, a graduate student of Milillo’s, supported the team.  

A closer look at the findings  

The study documented subsidence in 35 coastal buildings across Sunny Isles Beach, Bal Harbor and Surfside, with newer structures showing the most significant impacts. In many cases, the subsidence began immediately after construction and decayed over time, but in others, it persisted at a constant rate, potentially signaling ongoing risks.  

The InSAR data revealed that subsidence extends beyond individual buildings to surrounding areas. In regions like Sunny Isles Beach, up to 70% of recently constructed high-rises showed measurable ground sinking, a trend exacerbated by the area’s sandy subsurface geology.  

“Our role as a validation partner underscores the importance of geospatial technology in urban risk assessments,” said Milillo. “By confirming these patterns, we’re helping to develop tools for safer urban planning, particularly in geologically sensitive coastal zones.”  

Implications for coastal urban development  

The findings highlight critical challenges for urban development in coastal regions prone to subsidence. With Miami’s barrier islands already at risk due to sea-level rise, subsidence adds another layer of vulnerability to infrastructure. The study’s authors stress the importance of incorporating geological data and remote sensing tools like InSAR into urban planning to identify and mitigate risks before construction begins.  

The University of Houston’s contributions highlight the broader potential of collaborative research in tackling global challenges, reinforcing the importance of adopting advanced monitoring technologies to protect communities in vulnerable regions across the globe.

A call to action  

The study has sparked discussions about improving construction practices and enhancing long-term monitoring of building stability in coastal zones.  

“This work showcases the transformative power of geospatial science to uncover hidden risks beneath the surface,” Milillo added. “It’s a call to action for engineers, planners and policymakers to work together in creating resilient cities.” 

 

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Journal

Earth and Space Science

Article Title

InSAR Observations of Construction-Induced Coastal Subsidence on Miami's Barrier Islands, Florida

 

Australian innovation ‘sifts’ space for mysteries

The first trial of an Australian-developed technology has detected mysterious objects by sifting through signals from space like sand on a beach.

International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research

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Wajarri artist, Judith Anaru, painted a fast radio burst as part of a series commissioned by CSIRO to celebrate the research being undertaken with CSIRO’s ASKAP radio telescope on Wajarri Country

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Credit: Credit: Judith Anaru, CRAFT, 2019

The first trial of an Australian-developed technology has detected mysterious objects by sifting through signals from space like sand on a beach.

 

Astronomers and engineers at CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, developed the specialised system, CRACO, for their ASKAP radio telescope to rapidly detect mysterious fast radio bursts and other space phenomena.

 

The new technology has now been put to the test by researchers led by the Curtin University node of the International Centre for Radio Astronomy (ICRAR) in Western Australia.

 

Results published today in Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia present the discovery of two fast radio bursts and two sporadically-emitting neutron stars, and improved location data of four pulsars, enabled by the new technology. They have since gone on to find more than twenty fast radio bursts.

 

Dr Andy Wang from ICRAR, who led the research group and tested CRACO, said the team had found more astronomical objects than expected.

 

“We were focused on finding fast radio bursts, a mysterious phenomenon that has opened up a new field of research in astronomy.

 

“CRACO is enabling us to find these bursts better than ever before. We have been searching for bursts 100 times per second and in the future we expect this will increase to 1,000 times per second,” Dr Wang said.

 

CSIRO astronomer and engineer Dr Keith Bannister who, along with his team, developed the instrument, says the scale of observation enabled by the new technology is enormous.

 

“CRACO taps into ASKAP’s ‘live’ view of the sky in search of fast radio bursts.

 

“To do this, it scans through huge volumes of data – processing 100 billion pixels per second – to detect and identify the location of bursts.

 

“That’s the equivalent of sifting through a whole beach of sand to look for a single five-cent coin every minute,” Dr Bannister said.

 

CRACO is made up of a cluster of computers and accelerators connected to the ASKAP radio telescope at Inyarrimanha Ilgari Bundara, the CSIRO Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory on Wajarri Yamaji Country. Development of this technology reinforces Australia’s international reputation as a leader in radio astronomy engineering and research.

 

“Once at full capacity, CRACO will be a game changer for international astronomy,” Dr Wang said.

 

CRACO has been engineered to sift through the trillions of pixels received by the telescope to find anomalies, alerting researchers the moment it spots something out of the ordinary, allowing them to quickly follow up to obtain more data and complete their own analysis.

 

Dr Wang and his team increasingly expanded CRACO’s research targets to find more exotic sources.

 

“We’re also detecting long-period transients, which remain mysterious objects within our galaxy. Both fast radio bursts and these transients were first discovered in Australia, so it is great that we’re continuing the path of discovery with this impressive technology,” Dr Wang said.

 

CRACO will soon be made available to astronomers all over the world as part of CSIRO’s Australia Telescope National Facility, a suite of national research infrastructure which includes Murriyang, CSIRO’s Parkes radio telescope.

 

The CRACO system was developed through collaboration between CSIRO and Australian and international researchers and was partially funded through an Australian Research Council grant.

 

– ends –

 

CSIRO’s ASKAP radio telescope is made up of 36 dishes spread out across 6km on Wajarri Country

Credit

Alex Cherney/CSIRO

Example of a galaxy hosting a fast radio burst identified by the CRACO system.

Credit

Yuanming Wang, the CRAFT Collaboration

We acknowledge the Wajarri Yamaji as the Traditional Owners and Native Title Holders of Inyarrimanha Ilgari Bundara, the CSIRO Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory site, where CRACO is located.

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Journal

Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia

DOI

10.1017/pasa.2024.107 

Method of Research

Meta-analysis

Article Title

The CRAFT Coherent (CRACO) upgrade I: System Description and Results of the 110-ms Radio Transient Pilot Survey

Article Publication Date

28-Jan-2025

 

Humanoid robots join human musicians for synchronized musical performances

PeerJ

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In a fascinating blend of technology and artistry, researchers present a study in PeerJ Computer Science, showcasing how humanoid robots can collaborate seamlessly with human musicians during live musical performances. This innovative work highlights the evolving role of robotics in entertainment and creativity.

The study introduces a human-robot musical band featuring Polaris, a mid-sized humanoid robot as a drummer, and Oscar, a Robotis-OP3 humanoid robot as a keyboardist. These robots performed alongside human musicians, achieving natural synchronization and collaboration through advanced robotic systems. The project leverages cutting-edge technologies, including human-robot interaction, and the Robot Operating System (ROS), to ensure fluid communication and timing between the robots and their human counterparts.

“Our goal was to go beyond technical precision and explore how robots and humans can interact creatively in real-time performances,” said the research team. “Music is a universal language, and integrating humanoid robots into this space not only enhances entertainment but also pushes the boundaries of robotics and human-robot collaboration.” 

Key Innovations of the Research:

1. Advanced Synchronization Techniques:
   The robots utilized multimodal sensory integration—visual, auditory, and predictive systems—to synchronize their performances with human musicians effectively.
2. Human-Robot Interaction:
   Through refined communication protocols, the robots adapted to human cues, creating a more natural and responsive collaboration.
3. Technical Integration:
   The system utilized ROS for seamless coordination between hardware and software, enabling the robots to interpret musical notes, predict beats, and adjust their performance in real-time.

A Showcase of Creative Robotics

The success of this project was demonstrated at the Humanoid Application Challenge (HAC) competition, where the band’s performance received widespread acclaim for its precision, creativity, and innovation. A video of the performance is available at YouTube.

Future Directions

Looking ahead, the researchers aim to enhance the robots’ capabilities further by:

• Refining Synchronization Algorithms: Improving offset timing and beat recognition to achieve even greater harmony in live performances.
• Social Interaction: Enabling robots to engage meaningfully with audiences by interpreting musical cues and responding to social interactions.
• Musical Improvisation: Introducing heuristic and predictive models for dynamic, real-time improvisation.

Why It Matters

The study highlights the potential of humanoid robots in creative fields like music, where real-time interaction, adaptability, and artistry are essential. Beyond entertainment, this research lays the groundwork for broader applications of human-robot collaboration, including education, therapy, and public engagement.

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Journal

PeerJ Computer Science

DOI

10.7717/peerj-cs.2632 

Article Title

Integrating humanoid robots with human musicians for synchronized musical performances

 

Scientists at UMass Amherst engineer plant-based method of 'precious' mineral mining

Their research manipulates the superplant Camelina sativa to accumulate nickel, provide oil for biofuel and clean contaminated soil

University of Massachusetts Amherst

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Om Parkash Dhankher in the greenhouse with the Camelina sativa plants (left) that he’s working to turn into nickel hyperaccumulators.

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Credit: John Solem/UMass Amherst

January 27, 2025

AMHERST, Mass. — As unassuming plant—considered a noxious weed by some—may be the key to fueling a green economy in the U.S. University of Massachusetts Amherst scientists are working with Camelina sativa, a member of the mustard family, to enhance a trio of the plant’s superpowers: absorbing trace amounts of the critical mineral nickel from the soil and improving the soil’s fertility, storing that nickel in its biomass where it can be harvested and extracted for use, and, in its seeds, providing a rich source of the oil needed for biofuels.

While we may know what technology we need to transition the U.S. to a green economy, having the raw materials to do so is another matter entirely, especially when it comes to the critical materials and minerals that are the backbone of energy-efficient batteries and electrical vehicles.  All plants absorb nutrients and minerals from the soil and incorporate them into their leaves and stems, but there are some, known as “hyperaccumulators,” that have evolved the ability to accumulate specific minerals in staggering quantities.

These hyperaccumulators are the specialty of Om Parkash Dhankher, professor of molecular biology and phytoremediation in UMass Amherst’s Stockbridge School of Agriculture, who has spent the last few decades studying how plants can be used to absorb toxic elements from the soil, cleaning it through a technique called phytoremediation.

It’s only a short step from phytoremediation to phytomining, which is when the hyperaccumulated mineral is then harvested from the plant for use in industrial or manufacturing applications.

One plant in particular, Odontarrhena (formerly Alyssum murale), is known to hyperaccumulate nickel, a critical electrical component that is in short supply in the U.S. There is currently only one company actively mining nickel in the states in a conventional mine, despite the fact that nearly one million acres contain trace amounts of nickel in the topsoil. The vast majority of nickel comes from Indonesia and is processed elsewhere in the world. Because nickel is a low-level toxin, the soils in which it occurs are typically barren.

While it might seem that growing Alyssum in the U.S. would be an obvious fix — up to 3% of the plant’s biomass can be made up of nickel — Dhankher notes that it is slow-growing, low biomass, difficult to manage and takes a comparatively long nine months until it is ready to harvest. The upshot is that it takes an awful lot of Alyssum to yield a useful amount of nickel, and Alyssum is also considered an invasive species.

None of this is true of Camelina sativa, a plant that is already in wide cultivation in the U.S. Two to three crops of Camelina can be grown and harvested in the time it takes to grow a single crop of Alyssum, and its seeds are a rich source of the oil that is a core ingredient in biofuels. Thanks to Dhankher’s previous research, we now know how to enhance Camelina’s oil-producing capabilities.

“Our idea” says Dhankher, “is to determine which genes and proteins are responsible for Alyssum’s nickel hyperaccumulation, then re-engineer Camelina so that it, too, can hyperaccumulate nickel. We also want to determine which soil amendments will optimize the engineered Camelina’s ability to pull even more nickel from the soil.”

“The availability of nickel in the soil available for plant-uptake is determined by soil factors and soil health,” says Dhankher’s co-investigator, Baoshan Xing, Distinguished Professor and director of the Stockbridge School at UMass Amherst. “We will characterize these nickel-bearing soils in detail and improve the soil conditions accordingly to enhance the availability of nickel and improve the plant’s uptake of the element for hyperaccumulation.”

The result would be a minimally invasive way to extract trace amounts of nickel, returning the soil’s arability, and providing increased stocks for biofuel, all without relying on a complex and ever-evolving geopolitical situation.

“We believe that there is currently enough nickel in the barren soil in the U.S. to supply us for 50 years of phytomining,” says Dhankher. “We won’t be able to supply all of the nickel the economy needs,” he adds, “but our method could account for 20 to 30 percent of the projected demand.”

Dhankher and Xing have been awarded $1,297,055 by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Project’s agency to develop this new strain of nickel-loving Camelina.

“As we know, we are in the era of renewable energy,” says Dhankher. “Conventional mining in monumentally destructive, but phytomining can give us a sustainable, domestic supply of nickel to help fuel the green transition.”

A media kit, with images and all credit and caption info is available here.