Pilot Proposal: Connecting methane oxidation rates to mineral sources of copper

试点提案：将甲烷氧化速率与铜矿物来源联系起来

• 批准号: 0750009
• 负责人: David Fowle
• 金额: $ 4万
• 依托单位: University of Kansas Center for Research Inc
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2008
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2008-04-15 至 2009-03-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0750009&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Pilot; Proposal; Connecting; methane; oxidation

The proposed research will investigate linkages between mineral dissolution rates, concentrations of copper in minerals, and methane oxidation rates by methanotrophic microorganisms (e.g. bacteria that derive energy from the greenhouse gas methane). Previous research by the PIs has identified and characterized an extracellular copper-binding molecule, methanobactin, that has been shown in laboratory studies to influence mineral dissolution rates and the activity of methane oxidizing enzymes. These findings, suggest a compelling link between the availability of copper in soils, sediments, and water, and the biogenic regulation of the atmospheric concentrations of methane.This research will include controlled abiotic and biotic laboratory experiments using mineral phases (with differing concentrations of copper in their structure) a model methanotroph Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b (type II), and the copper-binding molecule methanobactin to investigate mechanisms and extent of mineral dissolution, and methane oxidation rates. Our specific research objectives for this pilot proposal are to determine how the presence of specific copper bearing mineral phases and methanobactin influences methanotroph growth and methane oxidation rates and if methanotrophic activity influences mineral dissolution rates.The broader impacts of this study will stem from a holistic understanding of biological and geological feedbacks controlling methane oxidation and in turn a major facet of the global carbon cycle. As part of our educational component of this pilot proposal the PIs will involve undergraduate students in a hands-on experiment related to the proposed research. Students will learn how to isolate and purify methanobactin, how to grow methanotrophs in continuous culture, and they will conduct their own incubation experiments. This study will elucidate controls on oxidation rates of methane a potent greenhouse gas and link methanotrophic activity to mineralogical controls in the environment.

拟议的研究将调查矿物溶解速率、矿物中铜的浓度以及甲烷氧化微生物（例如从温室气体甲烷中获取能量的细菌）的甲烷氧化速率之间的联系。 PI 之前的研究已经鉴定并表征了一种细胞外铜结合分子甲烷菌素，实验室研究表明该分子会影响矿物质溶解速率和甲烷氧化酶的活性。这些发现表明土壤、沉积物和水中铜的可用性与大气中甲烷浓度的生物调节之间存在着令人信服的联系。这项研究将包括使用矿物相（其结构中具有不同浓度的铜）、模型甲烷氧化菌毛孢甲基窦菌 OB3b（II 型）和铜结合分子进行受控的非生物和生物实验室实验。 甲烷菌素用于研究矿物溶解的机制和程度以及甲烷氧化速率。我们对该试点提案的具体研究目标是确定特定含铜矿物相和甲烷菌素的存在如何影响甲烷氧化菌的生长和甲烷氧化速率，以及甲烷氧化菌活动是否影响矿物溶解速率。这项研究的更广泛影响将源于对控制甲烷氧化的生物和地质反馈的全面理解，进而对全球碳循环的一个主要方面进行了解。 作为该试点提案教育部分的一部分，PI 将让本科生参与与拟议研究相关的实践实验。学生将学习如何分离和纯化甲烷菌素，如何在连续培养中培养甲烷氧化菌，并且他们将进行自己的孵化实验。这项研究将阐明对甲烷（一种有效的温室气体）氧化速率的控制，并将甲烷氧化活动与环境中的矿物学控制联系起来。