Office of Science
FAQ
Science

Biogeochemistry Grand Challenge

Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 growing on a hematite surface
Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 growing on a hematite surface.

A Grand Challenge in biogeochemistry, led by PNNL scientists Dr. John Zachara and Dr. Jim Fredrickson is studying how organisms exchange energy and electron flux with mineral matter in soils, sediments, and subsurface materials. This exchange occurs across a mineral-microbe interface that is a minute, but chemically active domain whose molecular workings have perplexed scientists for decades. The biogeochemistry Grand Challenge will use advanced instrumental capabilities and the high performance computing capabilities of EMSL to understand the biologic and physical architecture of this remarkably complex domain and the microbe-mediated chemical reactions that occur within it. The research will allow scientists to understand this most basic earth-life interaction that is fundamental to the migration of environmental contaminants, to water quality, and to soil fertility and trace metal availability.

All Related Publications Related Publications

  1. Direct Involvement of Type II Secretion System in Extracellular Translocation of Shewanella oneidensis Outer Membrane Cytochromes MtrC and OmcA.
  2. Binding and Direct Electrochemistry of OmcA, an Outer-Membrane Cytochrome from an Iron Reducing Bacterium, with Oxide Electrodes: A Candidate Biofuel Cell System.
  3. Electron Transfer at the Microbe-Mineral Interface: A Grand Challenge in Biogeochemistry.
  4. Structure, Magnetism and Conductivity in Epitaxial Ti-doped ?-Fe2O3 Hematite: Experiment and density functional theory calculations.
  5. Specific Bonds between an Iron Oxide Surface and Outer Membrane Cytochromes MtrC and OmcA from Shewanella oneidensis MR-1.

Lead Investigators:
John Zachara, EMSL | | (509) 371-6549

Jim Fredrickson, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | | (509) 376-7063