The Randolph Bromery Spring 2019 Seminar Series: Aude Picard

Description

Dr. Aude Picard, an assistant research professor of Life Sciences at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, will give a talk entitled "Revisiting the Role of Microorganisms in the Formation of Iron Sulfide Minerals" as part of the Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences' Bromery Lecture Series.

Abstract:

Most sulfide produced at the surface of the Earth is biological, therefore the formation of iron sulfide minerals links the biogeochemical cycles of Fe, S, and C. The burial of iron sulfide minerals and organic matter eventually controls oxygen concentrations at the surface of the Earth. For this talk, I will discuss my experimental work, demonstrating the effects of sulfate-reducing microorganisms on the physical properties and composition of iron sulfide minerals, and the implications for the preservation of organic carbon in anoxic environemnts. I will also illustrate how the powerful combination of microscopy and spectroscopy can improve our understanding of the interactions between biosphere and geosphere.