Research in Geomicrobiology in the GES department explores how microorganisms shape the geochemistry of the earth’s crust including oceans, lakes, estuaries, subsurface environments, sediments, soils, mineral deposits, and rocks. There is particular expertise in the following areas: microbial mineral formation/dissolution, biogeochemical cycling of elements (carbon, metals, nitrogen), geochemical controls on microbial activity and diversity, and the application of novel techniques (e.g., spectroscopic, molecular, etc.) to geomicrobial systems.

Faculty conducting research in this area include Gordon Brown, Scott Fendorf, and Chris Francis (from GES), as well as Craig Criddle and Alfred Spormann (from Civil and Environmental Engineering).