Earth science

The microbiology of earth science ecosystems is coming into greater prominence as Australian industries look for solutions to environmental degradation caused by traditional mining (such as acid mine drainage run-off) and improved methods to extract lower concentrations of metals and rare earth elements.

See the projects that we're working on, below.

Rare earth element (REE) biorecovery

We are embarking on a pilot project in collaboration with biochemists and geologists to identify novel REE-binding proteins that can be immobilised and used to extract REEs from tailings run-off. Our study mainly focuses on tailings from the Mary Kathleen mine near Mount Isa that has high levels of solubilised REEs.

Project team: Phil Hugenholtz, Paul Evans, Julian Zaugg, Jenna Supper
Collaborators: Gary Schenk, Patrick Silvey (VenturePro Pty Ltd), Peter Erskine, Gordon Southam, Denys Villa Gomez

Hyperaccumulator plants and their microbiomes

We collaborate with the UQ Genome Innovation Hub and Sustainable Minerals Institute to identify the functional role of microbiomes associated with plants known to accumulate high concentrations of trace metals, and the molecular mechanisms in these plants that underpin accumulation (and their resistance to poisoning) of heavy metals. These plants demonstrate strong potential in mine land rehabilitation and as dietary supplement of trace metals such as selenium.

Project team: Cheong Xin Chan (CI), Katherine Dougan, Yibi Chen
Collaborators: Katherine Irish Pinto, Mark Aarts (Wageningen University), Peter Erskine, Antony van der Ent (Wageningen University)

Bioprospecting for high-value metals

Mining is an important cornerstone of Australia’s economy and has traditionally been based on exporting bulk commodities such as iron ore, coal and natural gas. However, the demand for high-value critical metals due to their ever-increasing presence in modern technology devices is driving a high demand for these minerals. Mineral exploration is the key to sustainable mining, providing options to conduct mining in the least harmful locations.

Mineral enrichment in the Earth’s crust is often influenced by biogeochemical cycling of metals, sulfur and associated nutrients. In turn, these microbial-mineral interactions influence the associated microbial communities and their collective genomics. Using metagenomics, we are studying the microbial communities associated with metal-rich regions to identify and develop novel indicators to improve the success of mineral exploration programs. These new technologies will support societies’ transition to low-carbon technologies.

Similarly, Australia's ancient, tectonically stable and metal-rich deep terrestrial subsurface has supported microbial life for hundreds of millions of years. These novel microbial communities can be characterised using metagenomics to understand microbial evolution and their roles in deep ore deposit formation.

Project team: Phil Hugenholtz, Julian Zaugg, Paul Evans
Collaborators: Alan Levett, Gordon Southam

Breaking critical barriers in soil formation of bauxite residues

Conventional methods of bauxite residue rehabilitation require expensive and unsustainable covering topsoil. Building on recent breakthroughs in eco-engineering tailings into soil, we aim to develop a field-based technology using marine microbes and halophytic plants to accelerate in-situ soil formation from bauxite residues (including seawater neutralised bauxite residues) under field conditions. The technology will be underpinned by understanding the roles of marine microbe consortia and eco-engineering inputs in accelerating key mineralogical, geochemical, physical and biological changes in bauxite residues. We expect this technology to be transferable and adaptable across other alumina refineries in Australia.

Project team: Phil Hugenholtz
Collaborators: Longbin Huang (CI), Tuan Nguyen, Ram Dalal, Qld Alumina Ltd, RTA Yarwun Pty Ltd