Geomicrobiology 1400-226GM
Lecture: (1) Introduction to geomicrobiology –definition, history, aims and significance. (2) Earth as a natural habitat of microorganisms. (3) Microorganisms - catalysts of geochemical processes on Earth - a review of the metabolic strategies of microorganisms, so-called. geomikrobial factors; the role of microorganisms in the shaping of the lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere. (4) Metabolism of mineral compounds – chemolitotrophy, phototrophy, assimilative and dissimilative reduction – enzymatic interactions of microroganisms with iron, sulfur, uranium, arsenium, manganium and selenium minerals. (4) Bioweathering and biomineralization; biologically induced and controlled mineralization; enzymatic and non-enzymatic bioweathering; secondary metabolites. (5-6) Geomicrobiology of carbon – dystribution of carbon on Earth; geomicrobiology of inorganic carbon; autotrophy; carbonate mineral deposits; geomicrobiology of organic carbon (heterotrophy, methylotrophy, bioweathering of fossil organic matter, methanogenesis). (7-9) Geomicrobiology and iron, sulfur, manganese, arsenium, uranium, selenium – geochemistry and distribution of the aforementioned compounds on Earth; metabolism of minerals - chemolithotrophy, anoxygenic phototrophy, assimilative and dissimilative reduction; enzymatic and non-enzymatic interaction of microorganisms with minerals; bioweathering of sulfide minerals and arsenic minerals; biogenic sulphide minerals, carbonates, polymetallic nodules, oxides and hydroxides of iron. (10) Global metabolic pathways.
Laboratory: (1) Characteristics of taxonomic and trophic diversity of microorganisms inhabiting bioliths, copper ores, iron and arsenic and bottom sediments (microbiological mats and biofilms). (2) Isolation of microorganisms (bacteria, archaea) representing various metabolic strategies. (3) Detection and characterization of selected metabolic processes, including aerobic and anaerobic decomposition of aliphatic and aromatic fossil hydrocarbons, methanogenesis and methanotrophy, dissimilatory oxidation of reduced sulfur, iron and arsenic compounds, dissimilatory reduction of oxidized sulfur compounds, iron and arsenic, and their significance in geochemical changes. (4) Characteristics of biochemical processes based on metaproteomic analysis (identification of, among others, monooxygenases, dioxygenases, dehydrogenases, decarboxylases, oxidoreductases). (5) Identification of metabolic products of microorganisms (including methane, organic acids, alcohols, oxidized and reduced sulfur, iron and arsenic compounds) using chromatographic and spectrophotometric techniques.
Type of course
Mode
Prerequisites (description)
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
Knowledge: the graduate knows and understands:
- the complexity of processes and phenomena in nature, the solution of which requires an
interdisciplinary approach based on empirical data (K_W01);
- complex research problems in natural sciences that require in-depth knowledge in the field of exact
sciences (K_W02);
- in an advanced manner, the structural, genetic, metabolic, and functional diversity of living
organisms and their mutual interactions (K_W03);
- organism–environment interactions, applying hypotheses concerning temporal and spatial
determinants of biological diversity (K_W04);
- in an advanced manner, diverse research techniques and tools used in biological sciences, and
correctly plans their use to solve assigned tasks (K_W10);
- specialist methods and techniques for conducting field research in natural environments and ways
of applying them in environmental protection (K_W11);
- advanced laboratory, measurement, and imaging techniques used in biological research (K_W12);
- principles of research planning and experimental design using specialist methods applied in the
studied biological science specialization (K_W13).
Skills: the graduate is able to:
- apply research techniques and tools appropriate for problems within the studied biological science
specialization (K_U01);
- use specialist methods and techniques applied in fieldwork in natural environments (K_U02);
- identify probable causes of experimental failure in professional literature and appropriately modify
the course of the experiment (K_U05);
- plan and carry out an experiment under the supervision of a scientific supervisor using learned
methods; is able to propose methods for performing indicated analyses and assess the usefulness
and limitations of methods for the studied material (K_U07);
- critically develop a selected biological problem based on literature data and results of their own
research, formulating independent opinions and conclusions (K_U08);
- critically present research work in the field of the selected biological science specialization using
verbal communication tools and multimedia (K_U09);
- work in a team while carrying out advanced research projects in biological sciences (K_U12).
Social competences: the graduate is ready to:
- engage in lifelong learning and inspire this need in others (K_K01);
- communicate to the public knowledge about the latest achievements in natural sciences and
explain the rationale for conducting basic scientific research (K_K03);
- work in a team while conducting their own research and co-organizing the work of the entire group
(K_K04);
- define priorities for a specific task in the field of biological sciences (K_K05);
- apply principles of research ethics when resolving dilemmas associated with professional practice
(K_K06);
- continually improve and update their knowledge using scientific and popular-science sources
related to specialized biological sciences (K_K07);
- continuously enhance their professional and social competences (K_K09).
Assessment criteria
Exam in a written form after obtaining a positive grade of the laboratory part.
Practical placement
No.
Bibliography
Ehrlich HL, Newman DK. 2008. Geomicrobiology, 5th Edn. Boca Raton USA: Taylor and Francis Group.
Konhauser K. 2007. Introduction to Geomicrobiology. Blackwell Publishing
Riding R.E., Awramik S.M. 2000. Microbial Sediments. Springer.
Additional information
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