The Nüsslein Group
Microbial Ecology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst
Our study site is an abandoned mine with defined areas of acid mine drainage generation and attenuation. There is evidence that sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) are responsible for the attenuation. Through reduction of already-present high levels of sulfate, and thus production of sulfide, SRB are helping to raise the pH and decrease the concentration of dissolved metals such as iron.
We study the contribution of SRB to sulfate and iron reduction by constructing anaerobic microcosms using groundwater and soil samples from the study site. We measure the iron and sulfide concentration, oxidation-reduction potential, and pH over time in microcosms amended to inhibit biological sulfate and iron reduction. Currently, I am describing the microbial communities of the different microcosms using molecular techniques, as well as quantifying SRB over time to correlate with the geochemical data.
B.S. Microbiology, University of Massachusetts- Amherst, 2009
Currently, M.S. track student, University of Massachusetts- Amherst, projected: 2010
In preparation: "Iron Reduction mediated by sulfide in an Acid Mine Drainage Site".
Murphy, B., C. A. Becerra, and K. Nüsslein. 2009. Iron Reduction mediated by sulfide in an Acid Mine Drainage Site. Annual Meeting of the American Society of Microbiology ASM 2009; May 17-21, 2009, Philadelphia, Penn. Abstract 09-GM-A-3245-ASM.
Murphy, B., C. A. Becerra, and K. Nüsslein. 2009. Iron Reduction mediated by sulfide in an Acid Mine Drainage Site. HHMI Academic Year Research Internship Undergraduate Science Conference, UMass Amherst, April 23, 2009.
Murphy, B., C. A. Becerra, and K. Nüsslein. 2008. Catalytic and non-enzymatic reduction of iron by sulfate-reducing bacteria. HHMI Academic Year Research Internship Undergraduate Science Conference, UMass Amherst, April 23, 2008.
