Published June 2009
| public
Journal Article
Geobiological investigations using secondary ion mass spectrometry: microanalysis of extant and paleo-microbial processes
- Creators
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Orphan, V. J.
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House, C. H.
Abstract
The application of secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) has tremendous value for the field of geobiology, representing a powerful tool for identifying the specific role of micro-organisms in biogeochemical cycles. In this review, we highlight a number of diverse applications for SIMS and nanoSIMS in geobiological research. SIMS performs isotope and elemental analysis at microscale enabling the investigation of the physiology of individual microbes within complex communities. Additionally, through the study of isotopic or chemical characteristics that are common in both living and ancient microbial communities, SIMS allows for direct comparisons of potential biosignatures derived from extant microbial cells and their fossil equivalents.
Additional Information
© 2009 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2009 Blackwell Publishing Ltd. Received 15 February 2009; accepted 13 April 2009. We thank A. Dekas, D. Fike, A. Green and Z. Zhang for their data contributions, Y. Guan and L. Remusat for technical support with the Caltech nanoSIMS, K. Freeman for conventional analysis of δ^(13)C in E. coli, and A. Schmidt, K. McKeegan and G. Jarzebinski at UCLA for collaborating on the gallium ion source installation. We also thank S. Goffredi, K. McKeegan, J. Eiler, J. Valley, and two anonymous reviewers for insightful comments and critical reading that improved this work. Funding for this project was provided by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the National Science Foundation (MCB-0348492), the Penn State and Ames Astrobiology Research Centers (through the NASA Astrobiology Institute), Exobiology grants (07-EXOB07-0093 and NNG05GN50G) and NOAA-NURP (UAF 05-0132). The UCLA ion Microprobe is partially supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation Instrumentation and Facilities Program.Additional details
- Eprint ID
- 15699
- Resolver ID
- CaltechAUTHORS:20090909-130537989
- Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
- MCB-0348492
- NSF
- 07-EXOB07-0093
- NASA
- NNG05GN50G
- NASA
- UAF 05-0132
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
- Created
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2009-09-30Created from EPrint's datestamp field
- Updated
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2021-11-08Created from EPrint's last_modified field
- Caltech groups
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences