Weber Laboratory: Geomicrobiology and Biogeochemistry

Microorganisms play a significant role altering environmental chemistry thus impacting water quality and/or nutrients available to other living organisms. These metabolically active microorganisms are also susceptible to viral infection. Not only can viral-mediated cell-lysis change available carbon pools, it will directly change microbial community structure thus also influencing biogeochemistry. Research conducted in the Weber Laboratory has focused on linking the role that microorganisms play in contributing to changes in environmental chemistry (geochemical cycling) and the impacts on environmental and human health.