Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Denise M. Akob, Ph.D.

Denise Akob is a Research Microbiologist for the USGS Geology, Energy & Minerals (GEM) Science Center in Reston, VA.

Dr. Denise M. Akob is a microbial ecologist and biogeochemist whose research aims to understand interactions between microbes and their environment and address effects of anthropogenic contaminants on environmental health and water quality. Her research focuses primarily on understanding microbial impacts on Cold War Biogeochemistry (uranium and chlorinated solvent contamination); energy production (either by mitigating degradation of contaminants (from hydraulic fracturing or oil spills) or by enhancing natural gas production); and carbon cycling. Dr. Akob joined the U.S. Geological Survey in 2012 as a research scientist in the Water Mission Area, and move to the Geology, Energy, and Minerals Science Center in 2020. For more information, please visit the Reston Microbiology Lab website.

Professional Experience

  • Research Microbiologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Geology, Energy, & Minerals Science Center, Reston Microbiology Laboratory, 2020-current

  • Affiliated Professor, Department of Biology at George Mason University, 2017-current

  • Affiliated Professor, Department of Geology, Appalachian State University, 2017-current

  • Affiliated Professor, Department of Geography and Planning, Appalachian State University, 2016-current

  • Affiliated Professor, Environmental Science and Policy Department at George Mason University, 2013-current

  • Research Microbiologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Water Mission Area, Reston Microbiology Laboratory, 2012-2020

  • Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Friedrich-Schiller University Jena, 2010-2012

  • Marie Curie Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Friedrich-Schiller University Jena, 2008-2010

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D. 2008, Florida State University, Department of Oceanography, Advisor: Dr. Joel E. Kostka

  • B.A. 2002, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, Major: Biology

Affiliations and Memberships*

  • Chair, 2025 Applied and Environmental Microbiology Gordon Research Conference

  • Chair, American Society for Microbiology’s Council on Microbial Sciences (COMS), 2023-2024

  • Vice Chair, American Society for Microbiology’s Council on Microbial Sciences (COMS), 2022-2023

  • Vice Chair, 2023 Applied and Environmental Microbiology Gordon Research Conference

  • Editorial Board Member, FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 2016-present

  • Editorial Board Member, Applied and Environmental Microbiology, January 1, 2018-present

  • Editorial Board Member, ISME Communications, 2020-present

  • Associate Editor, Biogeosciences, 2016-2023

  • Councilor, Washington, D.C. Branch of the American Society for Microbiology, 2021-2022

  • President, Washington, D.C. Branch of the American Society for Microbiology, 2019-2021

  • President-Elect, Washington, D.C. Branch of the American Society for Microbiology, 2017-2019

  • USGS Community for Data Integration’s Bioinformatics Community of Practice, co-organizer, 2017-present

  • USGS Eastern Water Science Series, co-organizer, 2017-present

  • Applied and Environmental Microbiology Gordon Research Seminar Mentor, July 15-16, 2017

  • USGS NRP-EB Weekly Science Series, co-organizer (2013-2017)

  • Geobiology Theme Chair, Goldschmidt 2015 25th Anniversary Meeting

  • Co-Chair for Session T50. Microbial Hydrocarbon Formation and Biodegradation: Organisms, Pathways, Environmental Limitations, and Isotope Signatures, 2015 Geological Society of America Annual Meeting

Honors and Awards

  • USGS Early Career Leadership Award, 2017

Science and Products

link
Picture of oil and gas development and associated activities along with wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region..

Energy Integrated Science Team

The Energy Lifecycle Integrated Science Team focuses on the potential for contaminant exposures in the environment that might originate from energy resource activities including, extraction, production, transportation, storage, extraction, waste management and restoration. Perceived health risks to humans and other organisms will be distinguished from actual risks, if any. If actual risks are...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology
link

Energy Integrated Science Team

The Energy Lifecycle Integrated Science Team focuses on the potential for contaminant exposures in the environment that might originate from energy resource activities including, extraction, production, transportation, storage, extraction, waste management and restoration. Perceived health risks to humans and other organisms will be distinguished from actual risks, if any. If actual risks are...
Learn More
link
Profile Photo

Framework for Examining Stream Ecosystem Health in Areas of Shale Gas Development—A Multi-Parameter Watershed-Based Case Study in Pennsylvania

In a case study of 25 headwater streams in Pennsylvania, no statistically significant associations were determined between shale gas development and geochemical tracers of produced waters or measures of microbial and macroinvertebrate community composition. Although the results are specific to the region studied, the integrated biological and geochemical framework provides a tool for examining...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology
link

Framework for Examining Stream Ecosystem Health in Areas of Shale Gas Development—A Multi-Parameter Watershed-Based Case Study in Pennsylvania

In a case study of 25 headwater streams in Pennsylvania, no statistically significant associations were determined between shale gas development and geochemical tracers of produced waters or measures of microbial and macroinvertebrate community composition. Although the results are specific to the region studied, the integrated biological and geochemical framework provides a tool for examining...
Learn More
link
Dr. Denise Akob giving a laboratory tour

Two Scientists Receive Early Career Excellence in Leadership Award

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 2016 Early Career Excellence in Leadership Award was given to Dr. Denise M. Akob and Dr. Karl B. Haase. Drs. Akob and Haase have demonstrated outstanding leadership through their scientific accomplishments and service to the USGS.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Reston Microbiology Laboratory
link

Two Scientists Receive Early Career Excellence in Leadership Award

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 2016 Early Career Excellence in Leadership Award was given to Dr. Denise M. Akob and Dr. Karl B. Haase. Drs. Akob and Haase have demonstrated outstanding leadership through their scientific accomplishments and service to the USGS.
Learn More
link
USGS scientist collecting water samples on a wastewater disposal facility

Trace Levels of Organic Chemicals Limited to Local Reaches of a Stream near an Oil and Gas Wastewater Disposal Facility

Organic contaminants that were present in Wolf Creek near a wastewater disposal facility were not evident farther downstream where Wolf Creek enters the New River. Wolf Creek and the New River are used for drinking water and recreational purposes.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Energy Resources Program, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology
link

Trace Levels of Organic Chemicals Limited to Local Reaches of a Stream near an Oil and Gas Wastewater Disposal Facility

Organic contaminants that were present in Wolf Creek near a wastewater disposal facility were not evident farther downstream where Wolf Creek enters the New River. Wolf Creek and the New River are used for drinking water and recreational purposes.
Learn More
link
USGS scientist collecting water samples on a wastewater disposal facility

Examining Shifts in Stream Microbial Communities Exposed to Oil and Gas Wastewaters

Shifts in the overall microbial community structure were present in stream sediments that contained chemicals associated with unconventional oil and gas wastewaters. This work is part of a long-term study designed to understand persistence of chemicals from oil and gas wastewaters in sediments and water and how those factors might be related to exposures and adverse health effects, if any, on...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology
link

Examining Shifts in Stream Microbial Communities Exposed to Oil and Gas Wastewaters

Shifts in the overall microbial community structure were present in stream sediments that contained chemicals associated with unconventional oil and gas wastewaters. This work is part of a long-term study designed to understand persistence of chemicals from oil and gas wastewaters in sediments and water and how those factors might be related to exposures and adverse health effects, if any, on...
Learn More
link
Tanker truck sits in from of several large tanks holding wastewater.

Indication of Unconventional Oil and Gas Wastewaters Found in Local Surface Waters

Evidence indicating the presence of wastewaters from unconventional oil and gas (UOG) production was found in surface waters and surficial sediments near an UOG disposal facility in West Virginia.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology
link

Indication of Unconventional Oil and Gas Wastewaters Found in Local Surface Waters

Evidence indicating the presence of wastewaters from unconventional oil and gas (UOG) production was found in surface waters and surficial sediments near an UOG disposal facility in West Virginia.
Learn More
link
Anaerobic microbial cultures from shale gas production waters

Microbiology and Chemistry of Waters Produced from Hydraulic Fracking—A Case Study

A new U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) study determined that the microbiology and organic chemistry of produced waters varied widely among hydraulically fractured shale gas wells in north-central Pennsylvania.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology
link

Microbiology and Chemistry of Waters Produced from Hydraulic Fracking—A Case Study

A new U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) study determined that the microbiology and organic chemistry of produced waters varied widely among hydraulically fractured shale gas wells in north-central Pennsylvania.
Learn More

Microbial community analyses of groundwater collected during an enhanced bioremediation experiment of trichlorethylene in a fractured rock aquifer, West Trenton, NJ (2008-2015)

These datasets contain microbial community data from groundwater samples collected at an in situ bioremediation site located at the former Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWC), West Trenton, NJ. DNA was extracted from groundwater samples collected from monitoring wells at the NAWC study site from July 2008 through July 2015 and analyzed for microbial community structure. Sample collection coincided wit
By
Water Resources Mission Area

Microbial Populations in PFHxSAm (perfluorohexane sulfonamido propyl amine) Biodegradation Microcosms

Water resources around the world are contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) due to releases from point sources on military installations, fire training centers, and chemical manufacturing sites. Non-point sources have also been identified including wastewater effluent, landfills, and biosolids application. PFAS are a major concern to myriad stakeholders as some are known to b
By
Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center

Microbial Community Composition Data from Blacktail Creek near Williston, North Dakota

A large spill of wastewater from oil and gas operations was discovered adjacent to Blacktail Creek near Williston, North Dakota in January 2015. To determine the effects of this spill on streambed microbial communities over time, bed sediment samples were taken from Blacktail Creek upstream, adjacent to, and at several locations downstream from the spill site. Blacktail Creek is a tributary of the
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology

Data on the Effects of Oil and Gas Wastewater Components on Microbial Community Structure and Function

Oil and gas (OG) wastewaters are commonly disposed of by underground injection and previous research showed that activities at a disposal facility in West Virginia affected stream biogeochemistry and sediment microbial communities downstream from the facility. Microorganisms can control the fate and transport of organic and inorganic components of OG wastewater highlighting the need to characteriz
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Energy Resources Program, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Data on the Enrichment and Isolation of the Acetylenotrophic and Diazotrophic Isolate Bradyrhizobium sp. strain I71 (ver 2.0, September 2022)

Acetylene (C2H2) is a molecule rarely found in nature, with few known natural sources, but acetylenotrophic microorganisms can use acetylene as their primary carbon and energy source. As of 2018 there were 15 known strains of aerobic and anaerobic acetylenotrophs, however we hypothesized that there may be yet unrecognized diversity of acetylenotrophs in nature. In this study, we expanded this dive
By
Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Reston Microbiology Laboratory

Acetylene Consumption and Dechlorination by a Groundwater Microbial Enrichment Culture

This study aimed to (1) enrich microbial acetylenotrophs from trichloroethylene (TCE) contaminated groundwater and (2) evaluate whether these enrichments could degrade TCE coupled to acetylene degradation. Acetylenotrophs are microorganisms that use acetylene as their carbon and energy source. TCE contaminated groundwater was collected from wells at the Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWC) in West Tren
By
Water Resources Mission Area

Chemistry of waters collected in the Wolf Creek and Buffalo Creek watersheds in West Virginia in 2016

Water chemistry data for samples collected in 2016 in the Wolf Creek and Buffalo Creek watersheds in West Virginia. The dataset includes stream characteristics including flow and location information for sampling sites.
By
Water Resources Mission Area

Current-use pesticides and emerging amphibian pathogens in natural ponds, excavated ponds, and stormwater basins from 24 sites varying in land-use classifications throughout the New Jersey Pinelands, 2014-2016

Water, sediment, anuran food (leaf litter and detritus) and whole body larval amphibian composites were analyzed for over 100 current-use pesticides from 24 wetlands representing land-use gradients in the New Jersey Pinelands, USA during 2014-2016. Emerging amphibian pathogens, Ranavirus and Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) were also assessed in individual larvae at the 24 wetlands. Tables in t
By
New Jersey Water Science Center

Microbiology of the greater Bravo Dome region

Bravo Dome is a commercial natural CO2 field that supplies the gas to depleted oil fields for enhanced oil recovery. In order to understand the distribution of CO2 across the greater Bravo Dome region, including southeastern Colorado and northwestern New Mexico, and to assess the impacts of high CO2 concentrations on microbes in the subsurface, 7 samples were collected from sites associated with h
By
Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

MCHM Degradation Data Release

This USGS data release includes all the data presented in peer-reviewed publication entitled "Degradation of MCHM (4-methylcyclohexanemethanol) in Sediments from Elk River, West Virginia". We conducted experiments on crude MCHM to examine photooxidation or biodegradation. We also assessed the potential of sediments to serve as a long-term source of MCHM and well as the potential for native microb
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Reston Biogeochemical Processes in Groundwater Laboratory
Reston Microbiology Laboratory 2016
link
Reston Microbiology Laboratory Roll Bottle
link
US Geological Survey scientist measuring dissolved oxygen in a stream water sample.
link
A view of the New River from the New River Gorge Bridge, West Virgina
link
Filter Total Items: 42

Nitrifying microorganisms linked to biotransformation of perfluoroalkyl sulfonamido precursors from legacy aqueous film forming foams

Drinking water supplies across the United States have been contaminated by firefighting and fire-training activities that use aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Much of the AFFF is manufactured using electrochemical fluorination by 3M. Precursors with six perfluorinated carbons (C6) and non-fluorinated amine substituents make up approximately o
Authors
Bridger J. Ruyle, Lara Schultes, Denise M. Akob, Cassandra Rashan Harris, Michelle Lorah, Simon Vojta, Jitka Becanova, Shelly McCann, Heidi M. Pickard, Ann Pearson, Rainer Lohmann, Chad D. Vecitis, Elsie M. Sunderland
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center, Reston Microbiology Laboratory

Impact of the dimethyl sulfoxide reductase superfamily on the evolution of biogeochemical cycles

The dimethyl sulfoxide reductase (or MopB) family is a diverse assemblage of enzymes found throughout Bacteria and Archaea. Many of these enzymes are believed to have been present in the last universal common ancestor (LUCA) of all cellular lineages. However, gaps in knowledge remain about how MopB enzymes evolved and how this diversification of functions impacted global biogeochemical cycles thro
Authors
Michael L. Wells, Minjae Kim, Denise M. Akob, Partha Basu, John F. Stolz
By
Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Acetylenotrophic and diazotrophic Bradyrhizobium sp. strain I71 from TCE-contaminated soils

AbstractAcetylene (C2H2) is a molecule rarely found in nature, with very few known natural sources, but acetylenotrophic microorganisms can use acetylene as their primary carbon and energy source. As of 2018 there were 15 known strains of aerobic and anaerobic acetylenotrophs; however, we hypothesize there may yet be unrecognized diversity of acetylenotrophs in nature. This study expands the known
Authors
Denise M. Akob, John M. Sutton, Timothy J. Bushman, Shaun Baesman, Edina Klein, Yesha Shrestha, Robert Andrews, Janna L. Fierst, Max Kolton, Sara Gushgari-Doyle, Ronald Oremland, John Freeman
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Reston Microbiology Laboratory

Using biological responses to monitor freshwater post-spill conditions over 3 years in Blacktail Creek, North Dakota, USA

A pipeline carrying unconventional oil and gas (OG) wastewater spilled approximately 11 million liters of wastewater into Blacktail Creek, North Dakota, USA. Flow of the mix of stream water and wastewater down the channel resulted in storage of contaminants in the hyporheic zone and along the banks, providing a long-term source of wastewater constituents to the stream. A multi-level investigation
Authors
Aida Farag, David Harper, Isabelle M. Cozzarelli, Douglas B. Kent, Adam Mumford, Denise M. Akob, Travis W. Schaeffer, Luke R. Iwanowicz
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , Eastern Ecological Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Reston Microbiology Laboratory

Microbial community response to a bioaugmentation test to degrade trichloroethylene in a fractured rock aquifer, Trenton, N.J

Bioaugmentation is a promising strategy for enhancing trichloroethylene (TCE) degradation in fractured rock. However, slow or incomplete biodegradation can lead to stalling at degradation byproducts such as 1,2-dichloroethene (cis-DCE) and vinyl chloride (VC). Over the course of 7 years, we examined the response of groundwater microbial populations in a bioaugmentation test where an emulsified veg
Authors
Jennifer C. Underwood, Denise M. Akob, Michelle Lorah, Thomas E. Imbrigiotta, Ronald W. Harvey, Claire R. Tiedeman
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Environmental Health Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, Reston Microbiology Laboratory

Complete genome sequence of Rhodococcus opacus strain MoAcy1 (DSM 44186), an aerobic acetylenotroph isolated from soil

We report the genome of Rhodococcus opacus strain MoAcy1 (DSM 44186), an aerobic soil isolate capable of using acetylene as its primary carbon and energy source (acetylenotrophy). The genome is composed of a single circular chromosome of ∼8 Mbp and two closed plasmids, with a G+C content of 67.3%.
Authors
John M. Sutton, Timothy J. Bushman, Denise M. Akob, Janna L. Fierst
By
Toxic Substances Hydrology, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Reston Microbiology Laboratory

Oil and gas wastewater components alter streambed microbial community structure and function

The widespread application of directional drilling and hydraulic fracturing technologies expanded oil and gas (OG) development to previously inaccessible resources. A single OG well can generate millions of liters of wastewater, which is a mixture of brine produced from the fractured formations and injected hydraulic fracturing fluids (HFFs). With thousands of wells completed each year, safe manag
Authors
Denise M. Akob, Adam Mumford, Andrea Fraser, Cassandra Rashan Harris, William H. Orem, Matthew S. Varonka, Isabelle M. Cozzarelli
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Energy Resources Program, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Reston Microbiology Laboratory

Draft genome sequence of Bordetella sp. strain FB-8, isolated from a former uranium mining area in Germany

Here, we present the draft genome sequence of Bordetella sp. strain FB-8, a mixotrophic iron-oxidizing bacterium isolated from creek sediment in the former uranium-mining district of Ronneburg, Germany. To date, iron oxidation has not been reported in Bordetella species, indicating that FB-8 may be an environmentally important Bordetella sp.
Authors
Cassandra Rashan Harris, Denise M. Akob, Maria Fabisch, Felix Beulig, Tanya Woyke, Nicole Shapiro, Alla Lapidus, Hans-Peter Klenk, Kirsten Küsel
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Reston Microbiology Laboratory

Syntrophotalea acetylenivorans sp. nov., a diazotrophic, acetylenotrophic anaerobe isolated from intertidal sediments

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly anaerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterium, designated SFB93T, was isolated from the intertidal sediments of South San Francisco Bay, located near Palo Alto, CA, USA. SFB93T was capable of acetylenotrophic and diazotrophic growth, grew at 22–37 °C, pH 6.3–8.5 and in the presence of 10–45 g l−1 NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed tha
Authors
Shaun Baesman, John M. Sutton, Janna L. Fierst, Denise M. Akob, Ronald S. Oremland
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Acetylene-fueled trichloroethene reductive dechlorination in a groundwater enrichment culture

In aquifers, acetylene (C2H2) is a product of abiotic degradation of trichloroethene (TCE) catalyzed by in situ minerals. C2H2 can, in turn, inhibit multiple microbial processes including TCE dechlorination and metabolisms that commonly support dechlorination, in addition to supporting the growth of acetylenotrophic microorganisms. Previously, C2H2 was shown to support TCE reductive dechlorination
Authors
Sara Gushgari-Doyle, Ronald S. Oremland, Ray Keren, Shaun Baesman, Denise M. Akob, Jillian F. Banfield, Lisa Alvarez-Cohen
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Reston Microbiology Laboratory

Mixotrophic iron-oxidizing Thiomonas isolates from an acid mine drainage-affected creek

Natural attenuation of heavy metals occurs via coupled microbial iron cycling and metal precipitation in creeks impacted by acid mine drainage (AMD). Here, we describe the isolation, characterization, and genomic sequencing of two iron-oxidizing bacteria (FeOB) species: Thiomonas ferrovorans FB-6 and Thiomonas metallidurans FB-Cd, isolated from slightly acidic (pH 6.3), Fe-rich, AMD-impacted creek
Authors
Denise M. Akob, Michelle Hallenbeck, Felix Beulig, Maria Fabisch, Kirsten Kusel, Jessica L Keffer, Tanja Woyke, Nicole Shapiro, Alla Lapidus, Hans-Peter Klenk, Clara Chan
By
Reston Microbiology Laboratory

Geochemical and geophysical indicators of oil and gas wastewater can trace potential exposure pathways following releases to surface waters

Releases of oil and gas (OG) wastewaters can have complex effects on stream-water quality and downstream organisms, due to sediment-water interactions and groundwater/surface water exchange. Previously, elevated concentrations of sodium (Na), chloride (Cl), barium (Ba), strontium (Sr), and lithium (Li), and trace hydrocarbons were determined to be key markers of OG wastewater releases when combine
Authors
Isabelle M. Cozzarelli, Douglas B. Kent, Martin A. Briggs, Mark A Engle, Adam Benthem, Katherine Skalak, Adam Mumford, Jeanne B. Jaeschke, Aida Farag, John W. Lane, Denise M. Akob
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Energy Resources Program, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Reston Biogeochemical Processes in Groundwater Laboratory, Reston Microbiology Laboratory

Non-USGS Publications**

Keiner, R., A. Rusznyak, D. M. Akob, S. Hanf, K. Küsel, J. Popp, and T. Frosch. 2013. Raman spectroscopy – an innovative and versatile tool to follow the respirational activity and carbonate biomineralization of important cave bacteria. Analytical Chemistry, 85(18): 8708–8714 (DOI: 10.1021/ac401699d).
Gray, S. M., D. M. Akob, S. J. Green, and J. E. Kostka. 2012. The predictability of bacterial composition within the Sarracenia purpurea model system: local scale differences and relationships with the other members of the food web. PLoS One 7(12): e50969.
Akob, D. M.*, S. H. Lee*, M. Sheth, K. Küsel, D. B. Watson, A.V. Palumbo, J.E. Kostka, and K.-J. Chin. 2012. Gene expression correlates with process rates quantified for sulfate- and Fe(III)-reducing bacteria in U(VI)-contaminated sediments. Frontiers in Terrestrial Microbiology, 3:280. *Equal contribution.
Risse-Buhl, U., M. Herrmann, D. M. Akob, P. Geesink, N. Pizani, W. Schönborn, K.-U. Totsche and K. Küsel. 2012 Phagotrophic protist diversity in the groundwater of a karstic aquifer - morphological and molecular analysis. Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology, 60(5): 467–479 (DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12054.
Rusznyák, A., D. M. Akob, S. Nietzsche, K. Eusterhues, K. U. Totsche, T. R. Neu, T. Frosch, J. Popp, R. Keiner, J. Geletneky, L. Katzschmann, E.-D. Schulze, and K. Küsel. 2012. Calcite biomineralization by bacterial isolates from the recently discovered pristine karstic Herrenberg Cave. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 78(4): 1157–1167.
Akob, D. M. and K. Küsel. 2011. Where microorganisms meet rocks in the Earth's Critical Zone. Biogeosciences 8, 3531-3543.
Akob, D. M., L. Kerkhof, K. Küsel, D. B. Watson, A. V. Palumbo, and J. E. Kostka. 2011. Linking specific heterotrophic bacterial populations to bioreduction of uranium and nitrate using stable isotope probing in contaminated subsurface sediments. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 77(22):8197-8200
Burkhardt, E.-M., S. Bischoff, D. M. Akob, G. Büchel, and K. Küsel. 2011. Heavy metal tolerance of Fe(III)-reducing microbial communities in a contaminated creek bank soil. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 77(9): 3132-3136.
Lu, S., S. Gischkat, M. Reiche, D. M. Akob, K. B. Hallberg, and K. Küsel. 2010. Ecophysiology of Fe-cycling Bacteria in Acidic Sediments. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 76 (24): 8174-8183.
Vishnivetskaya, T. A., C. C. Brandt, A. S. Madden, M. S. Drake, J. E. Kostka, D. M. Akob, K. Küsel, and A. V. Palumbo. 2010. Microbial Community Changes in Response to Ethanol or Methanol Amendments for U(VI) Reduction. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 76(17): 5728-5735.
Sitte, J., D. M. Akob, C. Kaufmann, K. Finster, D. Banerjee, E.-M. Burkhardt, J. E. Kostka, A. Scheinost, Georg Büchel and K. Küsel. 2010. Microbial Links between Sulfate Reduction and Metal Retention in Uranium and Heavy Metal-contaminated Soil. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 76(10): 3143–3152.
Green, S. J., O. Prakash, T. M. Gihring, D. M. Akob, P. Jasrotia, P. M. Jardine, D. B. Watson, S. D. Brown, A. V. Palumbo and J. E. Kostka. 2010. Denitrifying bacteria from the terrestrial subsurface exposed to mixed waste contamination. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 76(10): 3244–3254.
Burkhardt, E.-M., D. M. Akob, S. Bischoff, J. Sitte, J. E. Kostka, D. Banerjee, A. C. Scheinost, K. Küsel. 2010. Impact of Biostimulated Redox Processes on Metal Dynamics in an Iron-rich Creek Soil of a former Uranium Mining Area. Environmental Science & Technology 44(1): 177-183.
O. Prakash, T.M. Gihring, D.D. Dalton, K.-J. Chin, S.J. Green, D.M. Akob, G. Wanger, J.E. Kostka. 2010. Geobacter daltonii sp. nov., an iron(III)- and uranium(VI)-reducing bacterium isolated from the shallow subsurface exposed to mixed heavy metal and hydrocarbon contamination. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 60: 546-553.
D. M. Akob, H. J. Mills, T. M. Gihring, L. Kerkhof, J. W. Stucki, Kuk-Jeong Chin, Kirsten Kuesel, Anthony V. Palumbo, David B. Watson, and Joel E. Kostka. 2008. Functional diversity and electron donor dependence of microbial populations capable of U(VI) reduction in radionuclide contaminated subsurface sediments. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 74: 3159-3170.
Blöthe, M., D.M. Akob, K. Walter, J.E. Kostka, H.L. Drake, and K. Küsel. 2008. Heterogeneity of Fe(III)-reducing microorganisms in coal-mining lake sediments caused by a pH gradient. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 74(4): 1019–102.
D. M. Akob, H. J. Mills, D. L. Swofford, J. E. Kostka. 2007. Metabolically-Active Microbial Communities in Uranium-Contaminated Subsurface Sediments. FEMS Microbiology Ecology 59: 95-107.

**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

link

Evidence of Unconventional Oil and Gas Wastewater Found in Surface Waters near Underground Injection Site

These are the first published studies to demonstrate water-quality impacts to a surface stream due to activities at an unconventional oil and gas...

Read Article
link

The Chemistry of Waters that Follow from Fracking: A Case Study

In a study of 13 hydraulically fractured shale gas wells in north-central Pennsylvania, USGS researchers found that the microbiology and organic...
Read Article

Science and Products

*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government