Archaeal interactions with carbonate tufas
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Huddersfield
Department Name: Biological Sciences
Abstract
"
Existing methanogenic cultures will be used as an inoculum source for microcosms containing a range of carbonate substrates varying in surface area at a range of pH values representative of those observed in current waste sites (8.0-11.0). These microcosms will be monitored for methane gas production using gas chromatographic techniques and any other changes to the geochemistry of the reactions monitored using a range of analytical techniques. Samples of tufa from steel slag sites will also be collected. These will be analysed using a range of techniques (XRF, AA, ICP) to characterise the mineral composition of these tufas and their ability to support methanogenic archaea.
The growth of methanogenic organisms may change the surface properties of the tufa through its degradation, or through generation of biofilms. Visualisation of the surfaces following identification of methane gas will be carried out through CLSM/SEM. Fluorescently labelled probes provide an understanding of the components of the archaeal biofilm (e.g polysaccharides, proteins, lipids, and DNA) and its 3D structure. SEM will further underpin by highlighting how the biofilm structure interacts with the surface structure, with a EDS demonstrating any surface geochemical changes. The research group has had additional support from Dr Bills and Prof Vishnyakov will be active collaborators in the project.
The mechanisms by which methanogenic archaea can utilise carbonate surfaces is poorly understood. The use of MinIon sequencing technology can generate long reads of genetic information for analysis. This strategy can result in both metagenomic (who is present and what are they capable of) and metatranscriptomic (what microbial processes are happening in-situ) data being generated. This information will not only provide information as to the key genes and metabolism occurring within methanogenesis from carbonate materials, it will also provide wider information as to the key organisms that facilitate the processes.
To replicate methane release in-situ, sediment cores will be taken from the site and maintained at environmental conditions. These cores will be monitored for gas production, with a second set of cores 'spiked' with methanogenic inoculum, representative of a developed microbial population as a comparison of expected rates of methane generation, with the same analytical considerations made. The generation of methane from tufa could be applied as a source of energy, potentially providing a route to resource recovery from these environmentally damaging waste streams.
"
Existing methanogenic cultures will be used as an inoculum source for microcosms containing a range of carbonate substrates varying in surface area at a range of pH values representative of those observed in current waste sites (8.0-11.0). These microcosms will be monitored for methane gas production using gas chromatographic techniques and any other changes to the geochemistry of the reactions monitored using a range of analytical techniques. Samples of tufa from steel slag sites will also be collected. These will be analysed using a range of techniques (XRF, AA, ICP) to characterise the mineral composition of these tufas and their ability to support methanogenic archaea.
The growth of methanogenic organisms may change the surface properties of the tufa through its degradation, or through generation of biofilms. Visualisation of the surfaces following identification of methane gas will be carried out through CLSM/SEM. Fluorescently labelled probes provide an understanding of the components of the archaeal biofilm (e.g polysaccharides, proteins, lipids, and DNA) and its 3D structure. SEM will further underpin by highlighting how the biofilm structure interacts with the surface structure, with a EDS demonstrating any surface geochemical changes. The research group has had additional support from Dr Bills and Prof Vishnyakov will be active collaborators in the project.
The mechanisms by which methanogenic archaea can utilise carbonate surfaces is poorly understood. The use of MinIon sequencing technology can generate long reads of genetic information for analysis. This strategy can result in both metagenomic (who is present and what are they capable of) and metatranscriptomic (what microbial processes are happening in-situ) data being generated. This information will not only provide information as to the key genes and metabolism occurring within methanogenesis from carbonate materials, it will also provide wider information as to the key organisms that facilitate the processes.
To replicate methane release in-situ, sediment cores will be taken from the site and maintained at environmental conditions. These cores will be monitored for gas production, with a second set of cores 'spiked' with methanogenic inoculum, representative of a developed microbial population as a comparison of expected rates of methane generation, with the same analytical considerations made. The generation of methane from tufa could be applied as a source of energy, potentially providing a route to resource recovery from these environmentally damaging waste streams.
"
Organisations
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/T51813X/1 | 01/10/2020 | 30/09/2025 | |||
| 2858875 | Studentship | EP/T51813X/1 | 01/10/2021 | 30/09/2024 | Bethany Farrington |