Microbial and Molecular Research at Norman Landfill, Norman, OK
Our Collaborators: Isabelle Cozzarelli, Jennifer McGuire
Natural attenuation, in which processes such as microbial biodegradation reduce the concentration of contaminants, provides a cost-effective "treatment" for contaminated aquifers. The success of this approach is dependent upon the presence of a microbial community capable of degrading the contaminants and adequate electron donors and acceptors to fuel the biodegradation. However, few studies have examined the microbial community composition and function at impacted sites.
Our current study examines the relationship between >hydrogeochemistry andmicrobial community composition and function at a contaminated aquifer in Norman, OK (see map). In 1995, the US Geological Survey, as part of the Toxic Substances Hydrology Program, began an intensive multi-disciplinary investigation at this landfill that had received residential and commercial solid waste from 1922 until its closure in 1985. The leachate plume currently extends 225 m from the edge of the landfill with iron reduction, sulfate reduction, and methanogenesis being the most significant TEAPs.
Further study at this landfill presents an exciting opportunity to apply a holistic experimental approach and application of novel molecular techniques to an environment that has a large, complex source of electron donors and several different electron acceptors.
This study will be the first to use a comprehensive experimental approach to link the changes in hydrogeochemistry with those in microbial community structure, diversity, and function.Due to the prevalence of landfills in similar hydrogeologic settings, a better understanding of the interactions between hydrologic, geochemical, and microbial processes may be directly applicable to other contaminated sites.The characterization of microbial communities in contaminated environments will also provide important insight into the interaction between microorganisms and the geochemistry of an extreme environment, thereby helping to further define the limits of microbial metabolism.
More Background
Fact SheetPublications
Related Web Sites -
Norman Home page
Cozzarelli Norman
page
Jennifer
McGuire
Contact Info
Dr. Mary Voytek, U.S. Geological Survey - mavoytek@usgs.gov
Dr. Isabelle Cozarrelli, U.S. Geological Survey - icozzare@usgs.gov
Dr. Jennifer McGuire, Texas A & M University - mcguire@geo.tamu.edu
