BE/CBC: Biogeochemistry of Fe(III) and Sulfate Reduction in Extreme Acidic Environments

马萨诸塞大学阿默斯特分校的Richard Yuretich教授和他的同事们得到了生物复杂性耦合生物地球化学循环计划的支持，研究酸性矿山排水(AMD)场地的微生物学、水文学和环境科学。该小组将通过实地研究、建模和实验室实验，研究马萨诸塞州西部AMD地点的Fe(III)和硫酸盐还原过程，并将量化嗜酸和耐酸厌氧微生物的作用。将监测河流和地下水的水文和地球化学变化，作为与AMD源头距离的函数。将对溪流和周围含水层的沉积物进行厌氧微生物、铁和硫酸盐还原微生物以及这些物种的代谢潜力的检查。各种分子遗传探针和聚合酶链式反应(PCR)将用于物种鉴定。额外的实验将包括实验室中的现场微观世界，这些微观世界将被建模以研究衰减。国际合作将使人们能够与联合王国的类似矿山进行比较。正在接受培训的K12教师将担任研究助理，并将就教学风格的效果进行真正的教学工作。酸性矿山废水是溪流和浅层地下水中黄铁矿和其他硫化物矿物氧化的结果。许多研究都是为了了解这些条件的形成，然而，自然衰减的生物地球化学相对未知。在这里发现的生物可能对其他环境中铁和硫酸盐的还原具有全球意义。有关铁和硫的微生物循环的知识也可以应用于其他生态系统。

Professor Richard Yuretich of the University of Massachusetts Amherst and coworkers are supported by the Biocomplexity-Coupled Biogeochemical Cycles program to study the microbiology, hydrology and environmental science of acid mine drainage (AMD) sites. The team will study the processes of Fe(III) and sulfate reduction in an AMD site in western Massachusetts through field studies, modeling and laboratory experiments, and will quantify the roles of acidophilic and acid-tolerant anaerobic microorganisms. Changes in hydrology and geochemistry of the stream and groundwater will be monitored as a function of distance from the AMD source. Sediment from the stream and surrounding aquifer will be examined for anaerobic microorganisms, for iron and sulfate reducing microorganisms and for the metabolic potential of these species. A variety of molecular genetic probes and polymerase chain reactions (PCR) will be used in the identification of species. Additional experiments will involve in situ microcosms in the laboratory that will be modeled in order to study attenuation. International collaboration will enable comparisons with similar mines in the United Kingdom. K12 teachers in training will act as research assistants, and real pedagogical work will be done on the effects of teaching style.Acid mine drainage results from the oxidation of pyrite and other sulfide minerals in streams and shallow groundwater. Much research has been directed toward understanding the formation of these conditions, however, the biogeochemistry of natural attenuation is relatively unknown. Organisms discovered here might have global significance in the reduction of iron and sulfate in other environments. Knowledge about microbial cycling of iron and sulfur can be applied to other ecosystems.