Discovery Projects - Grant ID: DP0345462

Funded Activity Summary

A microscopic and analytical study of extreme thermophile bacteria in simulated environments compared to organic matter in early Earth hydrothermal systems. The study will examine microbial cells and organic residues of cultured thermophilic archaea from simulated extreme environments in terms of temperature, pressure and mineral concentrations. These will be compared, applying observational and geochemical techniques to organic material in geologically earliest ecosystems. A novel approach will be adopted, of 'backtracking' changes occurring to cultured microbial cells towards their breakdown and disintegration (in contrast to the more common approach of simulating synthesis of organic compounds as a starting point towards structured functioning organisms), and their viability limits. The results of the study will be tested within the currently available theoretical models for the origin of life.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2003

End Date: 31-12-2005

Funding Scheme: Discovery Projects

Funding Amount: $225,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Microbial Ecology | Geochemistry | Organic Geochemistry Not Elsewhere Classified | Inorganic Geochemistry Not Elsewhere Classified

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

Exploration | Integrated (ecosystem) assessment and management |

Other Keywords

Exploration | Geochemistry | Inorganic Geochemistry Not Elsewhere Classified | Integrated (ecosystem) assessment and management | Microbial Ecology | Organic Geochemistry Not Elsewhere Classified | Other Non-Ferrous Ores (E.G. Copper, Zinc)

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