In the Gieg laboratory, we aim to understand how anaerobic microorganisms metabolize a variety of compounds associated with the energy industry (mainly hydrocarbons) that have either been accidentally released into the environment or are present in natural reservoirs. Recent studies have shown that anaerobic microorganisms use metabolic strategies distinct from those of aerobes in order to biodegrade hydrocarbons, such as activation by fumarate addition, carboxylation, hydroxylation, and methylation. Overall, anaerobic hydrocarbon metabolism is poorly understood.
Using combined tools of cultivation, analytical chemistry, and molecular biology, we seek to:
- elucidate novel anaerobic biodegradation pathways of different classes of hydrocarbons and related compounds under highly reduced conditions (e.g., sulfate-reducing and methanogenic conditions)
- understand the associated biochemical and enzymatic mechanisms
- identify and isolate key consortia and species involved
- investigate the ecological constraints on anaerobic hydrocarbon metabolism
In determining the fundamental science underlying anaerobic hydrocarbon biodegradation, we can begin to formulate universal themes of metabolism and apply what we learn to important environmental problems or energy-related systems such as:
- Anaerobic bioremediation at fuel-contaminated sites
- Enhanced energy recovery via the bioconversion of oil to methane in marginal oilfields
- Biocorrosion
- Paraffin biotreatment or prevention
- Heavy oil formation and recovery via microbial activity
- Oil sands tailings ponds reclamation
- Oil and gas souring
