Bradley Tebo's Proposal
EMSL Project ID
25696
Abstract
Mn oxides are important mineral phases in a variety of environments and have potential application in solar energy capture and conversion and contaminant remediation technologies. In nature, microorganisms, especially bacteria, are responsible for the formation of Mn oxides. Recent studies have shown that bacteriogenic Mn(IV) oxides possess novel nanosheet architectures with high surface areas. We propose to use high resolution cryo-transmission electron microscopy to characterize the molecular events in the MnO2 biomineralization process, including the role of enzymes and cell surface biopolymers as templates for bacteriogenic Mn oxide formation. The ability to prepare and observe frozen hydrated samples is crucial to understand the relationship between the bacterial cell (and it's surface structures) and the formation of Mn oxides as both the cell surfaces and the Mn oxides are sensitive to dehydration. This project will help support other collaborative research that is focused on the relationships between atomic structures, nanoscale morphologies, and key chemical properties of nano-bacteriogenic Mn oxides using synchrotron-based x-ray absorption spectroscopy and aqueous geochemical measurements. The overall goal of this project is to contribute to the fundamental understanding of bacteriogenic Mn oxides in moderating the compositions of natural waters, including contaminant bioavailability and transport.
Project Details
Project type
Large-Scale EMSL Research
Start Date
2007-07-01
End Date
2010-09-30
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator
Team Members
Related Publications
Wendy F. Smythe, Alice Dohnalkova, & Bradley M. Tebo. Manganese Oxides and Associated Manganese Oxidizing Bacteria. ISME International Conference, Seattle WA. 2010.