At several landslide areas in Niigata pre f ecture, the reddish-brown microbial mats formed in drainpipes and water catchments well for a short period such as within three years after the construction. In this study, the damage situation in such an institution by microbial mats formed by iron bacteria, and examined growth environment of iron bacteria on drainpipes at landslide areas in Niigata prefecture. The microbial mats were formed by iron bacteria, such as
Toxothrix trichogenes and
Leptothrix ocheracea.
The microbial mats were more remarkable in areas mainly containing clays than sandstone areas. The microbial mats were seen in the aquatic environment where the oxidation-reduction potential (Eh) was in the range of + 165 to + 244 mV and the concentration of dissolved oxygen (DO) was in the range of 2.7 to 7.4 mg/L. In addition, more microbial mats were formed around the part in the range of about 0 to 15 meters from the aperture mouth of drainpipes, while less microbial mats were formed in the deep part of drainpipes. The formation of microbial mats was remarkable under the condition where the reductive groundwater was exposed to the atmosphere and suddenly changed into an oxidation state. The formation of microbial mats changes groundwater quality itself.
High pressure wa ter is the only way to wash off the microbial mats at this moment. However, the microbial mats are formed completely within several months to one year at Ohirota landslide area in Niigata prefecture.
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