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2019 C-DEBI Networked Speaker Series
Learn more about the series


Thursday, November 7, 2019
NSS #25: Dr. James Bradley, Queen Mary University London
Live online, 9:30AM HAST / 12:30PM PST / 3:30PM EST

The power of microbial life in marine sediments

Marine sediments harbor more than half of all microbial cells in the ocean, many of which have been shown to survive for millennia – calling into question the limit for life. The energy turnover, i.e. power, of subseafloor microorganisms sets a limit on gene expression, mutation rates, and the survival of rare and novel taxa. However outside of measurements, laboratory experiments and modelling from specific sites, the power of subsurface life is virtually unknown. Here, we simultaneously quantify the distribution, rate and thermodynamic properties of particulate organic carbon degradation, as well as the global distribution of cells, and electron acceptors. Based on these factors, we estimate cell-specific power utilization in all Quaternary sediments. We report extreme and widespread energy-limitation in subseafloor sediments: >80% of cells subsist at powers that are less than the lowest energy flux calculated for any microbial habitat previously. Furthermore, we find global delineation of major subsurface metabolic zones, with stepwise decreases in per-cell power utilization following the redox state of the sediment. We assert that sediments should be considered as critical to understanding the cell-specific minimum power requirement for survival, as well as to predict the habitable boundaries of life on Earth.

James Bradley earned his PhD in Arctic soil biogeochemistry from the University of Bristol in 2016. He was subsequently awarded a C-DEBI postdoctoral fellowship, followed by a Deep Carbon Observatory DLMV fellowship, working at the University of Southern California and modelling microbial communities, bio-energetics and organic carbon degradation in marine sediments. James was recently appointed as an Assistant Professor at Queen Mary University of London, where his research interests broadly fall within geomicrobiology and environmental science: particularly  developing modelling and experimental approaches to investigate the deep biosphere, glaciers, and Arctic soils.


To join the meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/944849610



About the C-DEBI Networked Speaker Series

C-DEBI is a “networked” Science and Technology Center, gathering expertise, ideas, and participation from institutions across the U.S. and around the world. Our Networked Speaker Series is a means to enhance communication and the exchange of ideas among our community separated by thousands of miles via live online presentations with time for questions and discussion with remote participants. The series is also recorded and available on the website for those unable to “attend” the live events.

The Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI) is a “networked” Science and Technology Center (STC), gathering expertise, ideas, and participation from institutions across the U.S. and around the world.  C-DEBI runs the Networked Speaker Series as one means to enhance communication and the exchange of ideas via short (30 minute) presentations with time for questions and discussion.  The series is presented live online for remote participants, and is recorded and available on the website for those unable to "attend" the live events.

Please feel free to forward along the webinar info to anyone who might be interested.

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