| Project Detail |
Decoding the multi-isotopic composition of sulphur-bearing materials
Many bacteria play a role in the sulphur cycle via so-called dissimilatory sulphur metabolisms including sulphate reduction, reduced sulphur oxidation, and sulphur disproportionation. Sulphur and oxygen isotope discrimination during this metabolic activity is modulated by diagenesis (physical and (bio)chemical processes that alter sediments) before being preserved in sedimentary rocks. The multi-isotope composition of these rocks encodes valuable information about microbial activity, environmental conditions and elemental cycles. The ERC-funded ISoSCOPE project aims to improve interpretation of this encoded information with better understanding of metabolic isotope fractionation and the impacts of diagenesis on its preservation. Metabolic-isotopic models will be embedded in ecosystem models, and the results will be compared to microfluidic experiments and environmental data. |
