Geomicrobiology
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2008-07-13T00:19:03Z
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'''Geomicrobiology''' is a subset of the scientific discipline [[microbiology]]. The field of geomicrobiology concerns the role of microbe and microbial processes in geological and geochemical processes. The field is especially important when dealing with microorganisms in [[aquifer]]s and public drinking water supplies.
Another area of investigation in geomicrobiology is the study of [[extremophile]] organisms, the microorganisms that thrive in environments normally considered hostile. Such environments may include extremely hot ([[hot spring]]s or [[mid-ocean ridge]] [[black smoker]]) environments, extremely [[salinity|saline]] environments, or even space environments such as [[Mars (planet)|Martian]] soil or [[comet]]s.
Recent observations and research in hyper-saline [[lagoon]] environments in [[Brazil]] and [[Australia]] have shown that [[Anaerobic organism|anaerobic]] [[sulfate-reducing bacteria]] may be directly involved in the formation of [[dolomite]]{{Fact|date=July 2008}}. This suggests the alteration and replacement of [[limestone]] sediments by dolomitization in ancient rocks was possibly aided by ancestors to these anaerobic bacteria.
Some bacteria use [[metal]] [[ion]]s as their energy source. They convert (or chemically reduce) the dissolved metal ions from one electrical state to another. This reduction releases energy for the bacteria's use, and, as a side product, serves to concentrate the metals into what ultimately become ''ore deposits''. Certain [[iron]], [[uranium]] and even [[gold]] [[ore]]s are thought to have formed as the result of microbe action.
Microbes are being studied and used to degrade organic and even [[nuclear waste]] pollution (see [[Deinococcus radiodurans]]) and assist in environmental cleanup. (It should be stressed however that microorganisms can not decrease the total radioactivity of nuclear waste.)
An application of geomicrobiology is [[bioleaching]], the use of microbes to extract metals from [[mining|mine]] waste.
==See also==
*[[Acid mine drainage]]
*[[Bacterial oxidation]]
*[[Desulforudis audaxviator]]
==External links==
* [http://www.geobacter.org/press/2001-07-21-economist.pdf Gold mines may be formed by bacteria - PDF file]
* [http://www.agu.org/revgeophys/moskow01/moskow01.html Biomineralization of magnetic minerals]
[[Category:Geology]]
[[Category:Microbiology]]
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[[id:Geomikrobiologi]]