National Science Foundation Microbial

Observatory at Zodletone Spring

Introduction

Publications

Data from the Zodletone Spring Microbial Observatory Project Coming Soon!

Photos of Zodletone Spring

Links Related to Microbial Observatories

Introduction

We have established an NSF supported Microbial Observatory at Zodletone Mountain in western Oklahoma. This is the site of a sulfur and methane bearing spring. Springwater containing high levels of sulfide and methane pours down the site of the mountain creating a microbial mat environment, rich in microbial diversity with a unique group of microbial and geochemical processes. This environment has many similarities to environments that existed during the time period close to 2 billion (2 x 109) years before present. At that time, oxygen was absent from the earth's atmosphere, sulfur transformations were likely more common and methane was more abundant. As such, this ecosystem allows us to better understand the biology and biogeochemistry of the early earth. 

We are currently studying the microbial populations of this spring and have discovered a vast diversity of Bacteria and Archaea living there. We are also looking at microbial processes to understand the roles of microorganisms in sulfur and petroleum hydrocarbon metabolism in the spring. In the future microbial isolates will be characterized in order to better understand those processes.

Publications from the Zodletone Spring Microbial Observatory Project

Data from the Zodletone Spring Microbial Observatory Project Coming Soon!

More photos of Zodletone Spring

Links to Additional Microbial Observatories Coming Soon!

Back to Krumholz Laboratory Home