Project Info
Microbiology in a Sulfur Cave
John Spear
jspear@mines.edu
Project Goals and Description:
Like all environments, caves are very much alive. There are things you can see, like blind crickets and blind fish, but the bulk of what is alive in a cave is not visible--it is the microbiota that coat every surface and are in all of the waters. We have been studying a specific type of cave that occurs in Colorado in Wyoming--sulfidic caves that contain high concentration of sulfide, sulfur and sulfate. We are interested in the microbiota of 'who is there' and 'what are they doing?' Answering these questions then has applicability to all caves everywhere and expands upon what is known of subsurface microbiology in general and cave microbiology in particular.
More Information:
Grand Challenge: Provide access to clean water.
Spear, J.R., H.A. Barton, C.A. Francis, K.J. Roberts and N.R. Pace. 2007. “Microbial Community Biofabrics in a Geothermal Mine Adit.” Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 73(19): 6172 - 6180.
Primary Contacts:
John Spear jspear@mines.edu
Student Preparation
Qualifications
Be familiar with microbiology, geochemistry and caves. Being a caver is not necessary for this project though it would not hurt.
TIME COMMITMENT (HRS/WK)
3-5
SKILLS/TECHNIQUES GAINED
Student would learn microscopy (phase contrast, epifluorescent, SEM), DNA extraction, statistical analysis, bioinformatic interpretation of DNA sequence information.
MENTORING PLAN
We will meet weekly on all aspects of this project. Student(s) will be exposed to graduate students and their projects in the lab as well.
PREFERRED STUDENT STATUS
Junior
Senior