MSA Distinguished Lecturer Clara Chan

The Earth is teeming with microbes that make minerals. In great numbers, these microbes have significant environmental consequences. I will talk about biomineralization of elemental sulfur and iron oxyhydroxides, including insights into composition and formation by the phototrophic S-oxidizer Chlorobaculum tepidum, as well as chemolithotrophic Epsilonproteobacteria. We have also studied Fe-oxidizing bacteria and how they form distinctive Fe oxides that can be used as biosignatures. Using lab- and field-based work, I will show how these tiny architects build macroscopic biomineral structures, and thus how microbes can contribute to geologic-scale deposits.

For information on the speaker, visit her website at: http://udel.edu/~cschan/Site/Home.html