Positronic detection of iron reducing, ammonia oxidizing, microorganisms

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Naturally occurring bacteria that live in the soil may be able to solve a pressing problem for prairie agriculture; how to clean up excess fertilizer from spills. These bacteria, called Feammox, were only recently discovered and are very difficult to detect because they live off of iron, carbon dioxide and ammonia. Using newly available isotopes at the Saskatchewan Centre for Cyclotron Science (SCCS), we propose to identify and characterize these Feammox bacteria in prairie soils. To do so, we will develop new methods to estimate nitrogen loss from soil using the positron emitting nitrogen isotope, 13N. Following this, we will use the positron emitting isotope of carbon, 11C, to isolate regions of the soil where Feammox bacteria are active. Identification of the region will extend the capabilities of the specialized PET detector present at the SCCS, the Bio-PET, to be able to detect bacteria present in the soil through the use of advanced image reconstruction technologies. Working closely with Federated Cooperative Limited, we will explore if we can add forms of iron to stimulate ammonia removal from soil. In so doing, we will increase agricultural sustainability by reducing the environmental footprint of increased agricultural productivity.