EVOLVING X-RAY SPECTROSCOPIC APPROACHES FOR CHARACTERIZING BACTERIA-MINERAL INTERFACES: A TRIBUTE TO TOM TRAINOR

Recent advances in the implementation of surface-sensitive, synchroton-based scattering and spectroscopic techniques have led to new experimental insights into the structure and reactivity of mineral-surfaces. In particular, it has become increasingly tractable to explore interfacial chemistry under environmentally relevant conditions, and to effectively couple theory, computational methods, and molecular-scale measurements of metal-ion distributions and coordination. One exciting frontier is exploring the dynamic microenvironments and interfacial chemistry of the bacteria-mineral interface. In this realm, Tom Trainor has creatively and rigorously defined novel measurements capable of providing snapshots of microbially-mediated metal-ion sorption, precipitation and mineral dissolution reactions. To celebrate Tom Trainor's receipt of the 2009 MSA Award, and to highlight his profound influence on numerous investigators, I will present an overview our long-term collaborative efforts. Ideas for expanding the application of surface-sensitive SR techniques in the realm of environmental geochemistry and microbiology will also be presented.