Gaia Under The Microscope: The Role Of Microbes In Ocean Chemistry and Geology

Saturday, October 5, 2013: 4:00 PM-5:30 PM
217 A (Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center)
Chair:
Jake Bailey, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Description: From nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria in the surface ocean to iron-oxidizing bacteria at deep-sea hydrothermal vents, microbes are critical players in many chemical and geological processes, modern and ancient. Speakers will discuss results of field and lab observations to better understand the role of microbes in marine systems.



4:00 PM
Introductory Remarks
4:05 PM
Microbial pencils: graphite synthesis via bacterial respiration
Everett Salas, PhD , Senior scientist , PhotonSystems, Inc
4:25 PM
Bacteria and animals team up for life under sulfidic conditions
Beverly Flood, PhD , Postdoctoral Fellow , University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
4:45 PM
Exploring the geomicrobiology of hydrothermal vents
Brandi Kamermans, MS , Graduate student , University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
5:05 PM
Exploring the role of bacteria in the formation of phosphatic mineral deposits
Jake Bailey, PhD , Assistant Professor , University of Minnesota, Twin Cities