[Frontier Leaders] Chewing rocks – physiology and mechanisms of iron-oxidizing bacteria and their habitats on modern and ancient earth
Andreas Kappler, Center for Applied Geoscience (ZAG), Eberhard-Karls-University, Tuebingen
| When |
10 May, 2016
from
10:30 am to 11:30 am |
|---|---|
| Where | Auditorium |
| Add event to your calendar |
iCal
|
Frontier Leaders Seminar
Title: Chewing rocks – physiology and mechanisms of iron-oxidizing bacteria and their habitats on modern and ancient earth
Speaker: Andreas Kappler
Affiliation: Center for Applied Geoscience (ZAG), Eberhard-Karls-University, Tuebingen
Abstract:
The two most important redox states of iron in the environment are Fe(II) and Fe(III). Dissolved Fe(II), Fe(II) and Fe(III) minerals are abundant in soils and sediments. Redox transformation of iron leading to dissolution or precipitation of minerals is used by bacteria to produce energy. Oxidation of Fe(II) at neutral pH can be catalyzed by microaerophilic, nitrate-reducing and even phototrophic bacteria. This presentation will summarize the current knowledge of mechanisms, physiology, ecology and environmental implications of microbial Fe(II) oxidation. I will then president data on microbial iron oxidation in freshwater sediments of Lake Constanze, Germany, and discuss the potential role of iron-oxidizing bacteria on early Earth contributing to rock formation.
