The role of microbes in biomineral polymorph selection
EMSL Project ID
51775
Abstract
Biologically precipitated minerals are commonly present in very close association with biomineralizing microbes. Microbe-mineral interactions are complex in that they are often reciprocal in nature. Biochemical processes brought about by microbes can directly influence the formation of minerals. Microbes might also influence the mineral polymorph, and act as scaffolds for the minerals to nucleate and grow upon. In return, the growth of minerals on or around microbes can cause changes in growth and reaction kinetics. This constant interplay between microbes and the minerals that they form is of interest for a variety of bioremediation approaches such as biological cement formation for subsurface strengthening and bioremediation of heavy metals contaminated ground water. A thorough understanding of the fundamental processes (i.e., micro-scale processes) involved during biomineralization is necessary in order to develop this phenomenon as a bioremediation tool. Our research will investigate the micro-scale interactions taking place between microbes and minerals during microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation. Multi-modal approaches using a suite of electron microscopy techniques will be used to correlatively study the spatial and chemical composition of the microbe-mineral interfaces. This research aligns appropriately with the main mission of the DOE’s Biological and Environmental Research program as it is aimed at uncovering the complex relationship between microbes and their surroundings. Microscopy and microanalysis play a crucial role in investigating the multi-faceted relationship between microbes and minerals. EMSL is uniquely equipped with cutting-edge electron microscopy and microanalysis tools such as focused ion beam – scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, cryo transmission electron microscopy with electron diffraction analysis and aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy with selected area electron diffraction analysis. These are incredibly powerful methods which when used correlatively, will provide a high-resolution understanding of interactions between microbes and minerals.
Project Details
Start Date
2020-11-17
End Date
2023-09-30
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator
Team Members