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Examples of important findings by our research on this topic


 

Calcite crystals grown in the presence of soil bacteria Bacillus megaterium. At low bacterial concentration (top), the crystals are characterized by a central depression on the commonly seen rhombohedral surfaces. However, increasing bacterial content in the growth solutions results in crystals with a central protrusion (bottom).


 

Nucleation of calcite on bacterial cell surfaces (left) and bacterial colony on calcite crystal surfaces (right)


 

Accelerated release of potassium by thermophilic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus from a mineral assembly of K-feldspar and illite. The free potassium when the minerals are dissolved in the presence of fungus (red) or fungal metabolites (red) is 300 ¨C 400% higher relative to that in inorganic conditions (open symbols).


 

Mycelium-mineral aggregate formed by Aspergillus fumigatus and K-feldspar/illite (top). SEM images (bottom) reveal the close relationship between mineral particles and individual hyphae.

 

My GWU Portal Updated Jan, 2008. Dept. of Chmistry Home