Isolation & Characterization of Novel Halo-Acidophillic Microorganisms from Evaporites in Western Australia
Department
Biological Sciences
Major
Geology and Geophysics
Research Advisor
Mormile, Melanie R.
Advisor's Department
Biological Sciences
Funding Source
NASA EPSCoR, MS&T Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experience (OURE) Program
Abstract
The microbial communities in the acidic hypersaline environments in Lake Magic, Lake Gneiss, and Lake Aerodrome in Western Australia are currently unknown. These lakes are of interest due to their pH and salt concentrations, recorded to be between 1.4-3.5 pH and 13-32% salt concentration. Halite and gypsum crystals form as evaporites as a crustal layer on the sediment. With these extreme conditions, it is likely that novel species of microorganisms will be isolated. There have been microorganisms found to be acidophilic and halo-tolerant but not halo-acidophilic. Retrieved isolates will be isolated from the halite, and in some cases, gypsum crystals from the various lakes mentioned above and are expected to be in this new category of extremophiles. This will lead us to a new understanding of extremophiles while pushing the envelope of where life can thrive.
Biography
Katlyn Lonergan is a senior undergraduate student in Geology and Geophysics with an emphasis in Biological Sciences. In Rolla, Katlyn is an active member of the campus C.L. Dake Geological Society and a proud employee of the USGS, Cartography Division. After graduation, Katlyn will continue her education at University of Colorado-Boulder earning her Masters in Environmental Science.
Research Category
Research Proposals
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Location
Upper Atrium/Hallway
Presentation Date
11 Apr 2016, 9:00 am - 11:45 am
Isolation & Characterization of Novel Halo-Acidophillic Microorganisms from Evaporites in Western Australia
Upper Atrium/Hallway
The microbial communities in the acidic hypersaline environments in Lake Magic, Lake Gneiss, and Lake Aerodrome in Western Australia are currently unknown. These lakes are of interest due to their pH and salt concentrations, recorded to be between 1.4-3.5 pH and 13-32% salt concentration. Halite and gypsum crystals form as evaporites as a crustal layer on the sediment. With these extreme conditions, it is likely that novel species of microorganisms will be isolated. There have been microorganisms found to be acidophilic and halo-tolerant but not halo-acidophilic. Retrieved isolates will be isolated from the halite, and in some cases, gypsum crystals from the various lakes mentioned above and are expected to be in this new category of extremophiles. This will lead us to a new understanding of extremophiles while pushing the envelope of where life can thrive.
