Subsurface Microbiology of Crystal Geyser

 

Crystal Geyser in Utah, US, is a cold, CO2-driven aquifer that enables researchers to study subsurface microbial communities under high-CO2 concentrations. Previous studies on carbon sequestration have established this site as an analog for carbon sequestration leakage.

 

Research of this project focuses on the carbon metabolism of novel microorganisms in the deep subsurface, specifically CO2 fixation. We utilize genome-resolved metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, lipidomics, and geochemical measurements to identify novel organisms, measure their activity and decipher biogeochemical interactions in this geyser.