HR: 13:40h
AN: B23G-01 INVITED    [Abstracts]
TI: Neutrophilic Iron-Oxidizing Microbes In The Marine Environment
AU: * Edwards, K J
EM: kje@usc.edu
AF: Department of Biological Science, Marine Environmental Biology Section, Geomicrobiology Group, 3616 Trousdale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States
AU: Chan, C
EM: cchan@whoi.edu
AF: Department of Marine Chemistry & Geochemistry, 366 Woods HOle Road, Woods Hole, MA 02543, United States
AU: Orcutt, B
EM: borcutt@usc.edu
AF: Department of Biological Science, Marine Environmental Biology Section, Geomicrobiology Group, 3616 Trousdale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States
AB: Neutrophilic iron-oxidizing bacteria (FeOB) have been recognized, described, enriched for and isolated from terrestrial aquatic and soil habitats for over one hundred years. Microbiologists and geoscientists alike have appreciated the important role FeOB play in processes such as corrosion and mineral deposition. However, recognition of their role and activities has lagged considerably behind in marine realms. Over approximately the past twenty years, however, there has been mounting interest and recognition of the presence and ubiquity of marine FeOB, particularly in the deep sea . Their role in rock and mineral weathering and alteration, mineral deposition, and biomass production in the deep sea has come into focus and is the subject of intense study. This paper will present an overview of marine FeOB including discussion of their habitats, diversity, and role in geochemical processes. In an effort to specifically target this elusive class of microbes, an observatory project for the study of FeOB and the marine microbial iron cycle has recently been launched--the Iron Microbial Observatory "FeMO", at the Loi'hi seamount, Hawaii. FeMO and FeOB isolated from Loi'hi are being used as model systems and testing grounds for studying mineral deposition and rock colonization in laboratory/field settings.
DE: 4840 Microbiology and microbial ecology (0465)
SC: Biogeosciences [B]
MN: 2007 Fall Meeting