| Session Details | |
| Section | BG - Biogeosciences |
| Session Title | Biogeochemistry of Metal –mineral/microbe Interactions in Aquatic and Terrestrial Ecosystems |
| Main Convener | Dr. Punyasloke Bhadury (Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, India) |
| Co-convener(s) | Dr. Bhoopesh Mishra (University of Leeds, United Kingdom) |
| Session Description | Metal and metalloid (e.g., Fe, Mn, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Ag, Cd, Pb, and Hg) are introduced by a multitude of natural and anthropogenic sources and processes into the aquatic (fresh water as well as marine) and terrestrial (forests, grassland, dessert, tundra) ecosystems. Understanding the molecular reaction mechanisms, genetic pathways controlling such mechanisms and biogeochemical cycling of these macronutrients as well as contaminants under different biogeochemical conditions is crucial for sustaining life and preventing ecosystem imbalance. Our goal is to bring together biogeochemists, molecular geochemists,molecular biologists and microbiologists from both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem communities to enhance the dialogue required for breaking disciplinary scientific barriers required for developing structure-function relationships in complex environmental systems. Hence this international session aims to attract studies on understanding the mechanisms of biotic, abiotic, and coupled biogeochemical transformations of metal and metalloid, including redox, adsorption, precipitation, and incorporation processes at mineral/microbe – water interfaces at molecular scale including unlocking genetic pathways. Interaction of metal and metalloids with biogenic minerals and microbes (archaea, bacteria, fungi and algae) are especially encouraged. New developments enabling bulk, surface sensitive, and spatially resolved investigations of reaction kinetics, products, and pathways under environmentally relevant conditions are also encouraged. |