280220 VU WS Environmental Chemistry of Bio-Mineral Interactions (PI) (2018W)

Students understand interfacial processes and mechanisms by which microorganisms and plants interact with their extracellular environment, particularly with aqueous media and mineral surfaces.

Topics include: Reactions at mineral surfaces: precipitation, dissolution; redox reactions; photochemistry. Biological surfaces: structure of microbial cell surfaces; adsorbtion reaction at cell surfaces; structure of plant roots. Microbe / mineral interactions: recognition and chemotaxis; adhesion of microbes at mineral surfaces; enzymatic reactions at the cell/mineral interface; extracellular electron transfer; biomineralization; nutrient acquisition; interactions of nanoparticles with microbes; mineral weathering; microbial effects on contaminant mobility. Plant/mineral interactions: nutrient acquisition; mycorrhizal interactions with mineral surfaces.