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Molecular Geomicrobiology.

J. F. BANFIELD, J. CERVINISILVA, AND K. M. NEALSON, EDITORS. 294 Pp. Mineralogical Society of America, Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry. Volume 59. 2005. ISBN: 093995071-5. US$40.00.

Auburn University, 210 Petrie Hall, Auburn, AL 36849

The first 20% of the full text of this article appears below.

The field of geomicrobiology is rapidly expanding as both geoscientists and biologists have come to recognize the importance of both disciplines for understanding nature’s complexities. Bacteria and other microorganisms are extremely important in their direct and indirect effects on geochemical cycling of metals and organic matter throughout Earth history. Indeed, classically trained microbiologists are currently being hired by geoscience departments, which will ensure future beneficial collaborations in the field of geomicrobiology. Southam and Saunders (2005) reviewed much of the recent geomicrobiology literature in Economic Geology, trying to highlight important advances that might impact ore-forming processes and, perhaps, even geochemical prospecting techniques. No doubt, bacteria are directly responsible for forming a number of types of low-temperature ore deposits such as roll-front uranium deposits and Superior-type iron formations. In addition, bacteria have produced reduced sulfur for some types of higher-temperature deposits such as sediment-hosted Zn-Pb deposits. Bacteria have even been found as fossils in sulfide minerals. Thus, there are many aspects of bacterial metabolism that warrant understanding by economic geologists. Furthermore, as we explore for more deeply buried mineral deposits below the water table, exploration geochemists are going to have to factor in the effects of microbial processes in controlling dispersion of metals away from ores and . . . [Full Text of this Article]