RAPID: Understanding Early Time Biogeophysical Signals of the Microbial Degradation of Crude Oil from the BP Spill in Saline Marshlands

这是一个快速的奖项，以应对墨西哥湾的深地平线石油泄漏。这项研究采用了一种新的方法来评估沿海海洋沉积物中原油随时间的变化。 该研究旨在确定反映沉积物物理，化学和微生物特征特定变化的独特电磁（EM）地球物理特征。 研究涉及石油污染、石油/分散剂污染和未污染沉积物中地球物理特征的时间序列测量。 将确定相应的微生物群落结构和组成，以及沉积物的相应地球化学特征。 这将是第一次使用EM地球物理学在盐水和半咸水系统的地球物理研究。将在路易斯安那州和佛罗里达州选择现场和采样点。 这项工作的更广泛影响将对评估受“深地平线”石油泄漏影响的沿海沉积物的石油污染和微生物活力产生直接影响。 它将开发新的方法，使遥感的微生物活动在地下。 该项目培训学生掌握最先进的分子生物学技术和生物生理学。 它还支持来自EPSCoR州（俄克拉荷马州）一个机构的两名少数民族PI，其中一人来自科学领域代表性不足的性别。

This is a RAPID award to respond to the Deep Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. This research applies a new methodology to assess the transformation of crude oil, over time, in coastal marine sediments. The research seeks to identify unique electromagnetic (EM) geophysical signatures that reflect specific changes in sediment physical, chemical, and microbiological characteristics. Research involves time-series measurements of geophysical signatures in oil contaminated, oil/dispersant contaminated, and uncontaminated sediments. Corresponding microbial community structure and composition, as well as corresponding geochemical characteristics of the sediments will be determined. This will be the first use of EM geophysics for biogeophysical studies in saltwater and brackish systems. Field sites and sample locations will be selected in Louisiana and Florida. Broader impacts of the work will have immediate implications for assessing the oil contamination and microbial vitality of coastal sediments impacted by the Deep Horizon oil spill. It will develop new methodology that allows the remote sensing of microbial activity in the subsurface. The project trains students in state-of-the-art molecular biology techniques and biogeophysis. It also supports two minority PIs from an institution in the EPSCoR state (Oklahoma), one of whom is from a gender under-represented in the sciences.