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Geomicrobiology and Biogeochemistry

We study interactions between life, geology and environmental chemistry to unravel biogeochemical processes important for Earth’s habitability through Earth history.

The Geomicrobiology and biogeochemistry group unites cross-disciplinary scientists in microbiology, biology and geochemistry.

We investigate the linkages between geomicrobiology and biogeochemistry to explain key biogeochemical processes that sustain ecosystems at local to global scale.

Geomicrobiology

The Geomicrobiology unit studies diverse ecosystems, ranging from marine to terrestrial, from the surface to the deep continental and marine biosphere, spanning the modern to the ancient earth where life evolved.

We use the evidence to unravel how microbial life interacts with geological processes, minerals, metals and with each other to produce and maintain the major biogeochemical cycles that are key to earth’s habitability.

Biogeochemistry

We combine geomicrobiological observations with geochemistry to unlock Earth’s biogeochemical history. This multidisciplinary work which connects the geomicrobiology and geochemistry units, allows the application of high resolution geochemical methods for investigating how geomicrobiology and geochemistry function together in the environment.

Researchers are interested in identifying and using biogeochemical signals as proxies for unravelling how life interacts with geochemistry to create and sustain the living biosphere.

Funding

Sosdian, S. COACTION - Characterisation of Ocean Acidification over Decadal Timescales in Fiji. NERC. October 2018, £11,200

Andersen, M., Chi Fru, E., Millet, M. Isotope geochemistry of IOCG systems. Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. July 2018-February 2019, £28,250

Sosdian, S. Coral reefs, ecosystem connectivity and plastic pollution: Past, present and future impacts on coral reef health. Sêr Cymru NRN Bangor. June 2018-July 2018, £9,375

Bagshaw, E. Dynamics of meltwater beneath the Greenland ice sheet. Sêr Cymru Bangor. June 2018-December 2018, £9,340

Bagshaw, E. Polar snow in a warming world. The Percy Sladen Memorial Fund. April 2017-March 2018, £700

Bagshaw, E. Microbial community structure changes during temporal development of cryoconie holes. Antarctic Science Ltd.  June 2016-May 2019, £4,590

Bagshaw, E. WISECAM: Development and testing of a smartphone app for water quality monitoring. Sêr Cymru NRN Bangor. December 2015-February 2016, £500

Sosdian, S. Assess the impacts from oil palm expansion in Borneo on coral reef water quality and ecology suing environmental archives in coral reef skeletons. Sêr Cymru NRN Bangor. April 2016-June 2018, £20,000

Selected publications

Group Leader

Dr Henrik Sass

Dr Henrik Sass

Senior Lecturer

Email
sassh@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 (0)29 2087 6001

Academic staff

Dr Henrik Sass

Dr Henrik Sass

Senior Lecturer

Email
sassh@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 (0)29 2087 6001
Dr Aditee Mitra

Dr Aditee Mitra

Research Fellow

Email
mitraa2@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 (0)29 2087 76828
Dr Ernest Chi Fru

Dr Ernest Chi Fru

Senior Lecturer in Earth Sciences

Email
chifrue@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone
+44(0)29 2087 0058

Postgraduate students

No profile image

Jalila Al Bahri

Research student

Email
albahrijs@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 (0)29 2087 5874

Associated staff

Xiaohong Tang

Xiaohong Tang

Geomicrobiology-Geochemistry Technician

Email
tangx2@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 (0)29 2087 4928
Dr Liz Bagshaw

Dr Liz Bagshaw

Senior Lecturer

Email
bagshawe@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 (0)29 2087 4488
Dr Morten Andersen

Dr Morten Andersen

Senior Lecturer

Email
andersenm1@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 (0)29 2087 4943
Dr Rupert Perkins

Dr Rupert Perkins

Reader

Email
perkinsr@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 (0)29 2087 5026
Dr Marc-Alban Millet

Dr Marc-Alban Millet

Reader

Email
milletm@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 (0)29 2087 5124