Factors Affecting the Formation, Nature, and Properties of Iron Precipitation Products at the Soil–Root Interface

Abstract A number of iron oxides (hematite, goethite, lepidocrocite, maghemite, and magnetite) or short‐range ordered precipitates (ferrihydrite) may be found in soil environments, but in the rhizosphere the presence of organic ligands released by plants (exudates) or microorganisms promote the formation of ferrihydrite. Iron ions are liberated into soil solution by acidic weathering of minerals and then precipitated either locally or after translocation in soil environments. Humic and fulvic acids as well as organic substances produced by plants and microorganisms are involved in the weathering of primary minerals. Organic compounds play a very important role in the hydrolytic reactions of iron and on the formation, nature, surface properties, reactivity, and transformation of Fe oxides. Organic substances present in the rhizosphere interact with Fe promoting the formation of ferrihydrite and organo‐mineral complexes. The solubility of Fe precipitation products is usually low. However, the formation of soluble complexes of Fe(II) or Fe(III) with organic ligands, usually present in the rhizosphere increases the solubility of Fe‐oxides. Mobilization of Fe from Fe oxides by siderophores is of great importance in natural systems. They can form stable Fe(III) complexes (pK up to 32) and thus mobilize Fe from Fe(III) compounds. These higher Fe concentrations are important for the supply of Fe to plant roots which excrete organic acids at the soil–root interface. Iron oxides adsorb a wide variety of organic and inorganic anions and cations, which include natural organics, nutrients, and xenobiotics. There is competition between anions and cations for the surfaces of Fe‐oxides. Root exudates suppress phosphate or sulfate adsorption on Fe‐oxides. This is a mechanism by which plant roots mobilize adsorbed phosphate and improve their phosphate supply. Anions adsorption on iron oxides modify their dispersion/flocculation behavior and thus their mobility in the soil system. That can increase or decrease the possibility of contact between Fe‐oxides and organics or organisms able to dissolve them.