HR: 17:30h
AN: V44A-08 INVITED     [Abstracts]
TI: FeMO: A microbial observatory for the study of neutraphilic iron-oxidizing bacteria and the microbial iron cycle
AU: * Edwards, K J
EM: katrina@whoi.edu
AF: Geomicrobiology Group, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Department of Marine Chemistry & Geochemistry, McLean Lab, MS#8, Woods Hole, MA 02543 United States
AB: The importance of metals to life has long been appreciated. Iron (Fe) is the forth most abundant element, and the second most abundant redox-active element in Earth's crust, rendering it the most important environmental metal. In recognition of this, a recent surge in research on microbial Fe redox transformations in the environment has resulted in many exciting discoveries and enhanced appreciation for the importance of these processes. One important area of this research focuses on a group of bacteria known as the neutraphilic Fe-oxidizing bacteria (FeOB). Studies on these have revealed a remarkable diversity, both physiologically and phylogenetically. To further explore this functional collection of microorganisms, a submarine microbial observatory for the study of iron oxidizing bacteria ("FeMO") at the Hawaiian seamount Loihi, has been initiated in order to better understand the diversity, and function of the FeOB, in particular their role in metal cycling. FeMO joins a diverse group players focusing on culture, molecular identification, functional analysis: six institutions are involved directly, others associated as external collaborators, from mineralogy to sensors. I will present an overview of FeMO and highlight some of the exciting new discoveries being made through this focused observatory effort.
UR: http://www.whoi.edu/science/MCG/edwards/femo
DE: 0400 BIOGEOSCIENCES
DE: 0406 Astrobiology and extraterrestrial materials
DE: 0439 Ecosystems, structure and dynamics (4815)
DE: 0448 Geomicrobiology
DE: 0461 Metals
SC: Volcanology, Geochemistry, Petrology [V]
MN: Fall Meeting 2005