| Unit name | Geomicrobiology |
|---|---|
| Unit code | EASC30051 |
| Credit points | 10 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2C (weeks 13 - 18) |
| Unit director | Dr. Buss |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
EASC20011 Environmental Geochemistry or equivalent knowledge. Students who have not taken EASC20011 should contact the unit director before registering for this unit. |
| Co-requisites |
N/A |
| School/department | School of Earth Sciences |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science |
An overview of concepts, techniques, and issues in geomicrobiology as they relate to environmental geosciences.
Aims: to learn about and examine microbial properties, metabolisms, diversity and abundance in the natural environment; to appreciate the coupling of biological with chemical and physical processes in the natural environment; to examine specific ways in which microorganisms create or contribute to normal geological processes, environmental problems, and remediation of environmental problems; and to summarise current techniques for assessing microbial influences on the environment.
On successful completion of the unit, the student will be able to: • describe the variety of microbial metabolisms; • draw a tree of life to show evolutionary relationships; • explain microbial roles in: pollution, remediation of mining waste, degradation of organic pollutants, biomineralisation, mineral weathering, and global element and greenhouse gas cycling; • quantitatively apply understanding of microbial catalysis of chemical reactions to redox processes in the environment; • describe methods for evaluating the influence of microorganisms in a variety of natural environments and the limitations of these methods.
Lectures and practicals
Final 3 hour examination (60%) and coursework (40%)
Konhauser K.O. 2006. Introduction to Geomicrobiology. Wiley-Blackwell, 440 pp.
