2005 Spring AGU Joint Assembly, May 23-27, 2005, New Orleans, Louisiana

Session B07: Microbial Activity in Sedimentary Basins: Origins, Processes and Biogeochemical Impacts

Conveners: S.T. Petsch, A.M. Martini, K. Nüsslein

Please contact Steven Petsch for more information, and check the AGU-Joint Assembly website for dates and deadlines of abstract submission.

Session Description:
The existence of active microbial populations in deeply buried sediments and sedimentary rocks has been documented in a wide variety of marine and terrestrial sites from around the world. The presence of such populations speaks to diverse biogeochemical topics such as controls on sediment and pore fluid geochemistry, long-term carbon cycling, formation and degradation of fossil fuel resources, life in extreme environments and evolution of the biosphere. This session brings together researchers studying the active subsurface biosphere in sedimentary basins, to advance understanding of: (1) the forms of metabolic processes employed by such populations, and limits on the activity of subsurface microbial communities; (2) the origin, survival and dormancy of slowly-growing subsurface microorganisms far removed from earth surface influences; (3) the geochemical, mineralogical and molecular signatures that subsurface organisms may imprint on rocks and sediments; and (4) the impact that active modern populations may have on overprinting of paleoenvironmental signatures preserved in ancient sediments and rocks. Contributions from empirical field and laboratory studies as well as theoretical constraints and models will be welcomed.