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
Filter Total Items: 17
Chemistry of waters collected in the Wolf Creek and Buffalo Creek watersheds in West Virginia in 2016 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.
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 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...
Microbiology of the greater Bravo Dome region 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...
Common hydraulic fracturing fluid additives alter the structure and function of anaerobic microbial communities Common hydraulic fracturing fluid additives alter the structure and function of anaerobic microbial communities
Data supporting "Common hydraulic fracturing fluid additives alter the structure and function of anaerobic microbial communities", describing iron reduction experiments, microbial community profiling, and statistical testing of data.
MCHM Degradation Data Release 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...
Filter Total Items: 50
Oil and gas wastewater components alter streambed microbial community structure and function 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...
Authors
Denise M. Akob, Adam Mumford, Andrea Fraser, Cassandra Harris, William Orem, Matthew S. Varonka, Isabelle Cozzarelli
Draft genome sequence of Bordetella sp. strain FB-8, isolated from a former uranium mining area in Germany 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 Harris, Denise M. Akob, Maria Fabisch, Felix Beulig, Tanya Woyke, Nicole Shapiro, Alla Lapidus, Hans-Peter Klenk, Kirsten Küsel
Syntrophotalea acetylenivorans sp. nov., a diazotrophic, acetylenotrophic anaerobe isolated from intertidal sediments 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...
Authors
Shaun Baesman, John Sutton, Janna Fierst, Denise M. Akob, Ronald S. Oremland
Acetylene-fueled trichloroethene reductive dechlorination in a groundwater enrichment culture 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...
Authors
Sara Gushgari-Doyle, Ronald Oremland, Ray Keren, Shaun Baesman, Denise M. Akob, Jillian Banfield, Lisa Alvarez-Cohen
Mixotrophic iron-oxidizing Thiomonas isolates from an acid mine drainage-affected creek 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...
Authors
Denise M. Akob, Michelle Hallenbeck, Felix Beulig, Maria Fabisch, Kirsten Kusel, Jessica Keffer, Tanja Woyke, Nicole Shapiro, Alla Lapidus, Hans-Peter Klenk, Clara Chan
Geochemical and geophysical indicators of oil and gas wastewater can trace potential exposure pathways following releases to surface waters 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...
Authors
Isabelle Cozzarelli, Douglas Kent, Martin Briggs, Mark Engle, Adam Benthem, Katherine Skalak, Adam Mumford, Jeanne Jaeschke, Aida Farag, John W. Lane, Denise M. Akob
Compositional analysis of formation water geochemistry and microbiology of commercial and carbon dioxide-rich wells in the southwestern United States Compositional analysis of formation water geochemistry and microbiology of commercial and carbon dioxide-rich wells in the southwestern United States
Studies of naturally occurring subsurface carbon dioxide (CO2) accumulations can provide useful information for potential CO2 injection projects; however, the microbial communities and formation water geochemistry of most reservoirs are understudied. Formation water and microbial biomass were sampled at four CO2-rich reservoir sites: two within Bravo Dome, a commercial CO2 field in New...
Authors
Jenna L. Shelton, Robert Andrews, Denise Akob, Christina DeVera, Adam Mumford, Mark Engle, Michelle Plampin, Sean Brennan
Shale gas development has limited effects on stream biology and geochemistry in a gradient-based, multiparameter study in Pennsylvania Shale gas development has limited effects on stream biology and geochemistry in a gradient-based, multiparameter study in Pennsylvania
The number of horizontally drilled shale oil and gas wells in the United States has increased from nearly 28,000 in 2007 to nearly 127,000 in 2017, and research has suggested the potential for the development of shale resources to affect nearby stream ecosystems. However, the ability to generalize current studies is limited by the small geographic scope as well as limited breadth and...
Authors
Adam Mumford, Kelly Maloney, Denise M. Akob, Sarah Nettemann, Arianne Proctor, Jason Ditty, Luke Ulsamer, Josh Lookenbill, Isabelle Cozzarelli
Binning singletons: Mentoring through networking at ASM microbe 2019 Binning singletons: Mentoring through networking at ASM microbe 2019
The American Society for Microbiology (ASM) national conference, Microbe, is the flagship meeting for microbiologists across the globe. The presence of roughly 10,000 attendees provides enormous opportunities for networking and learning. However, such a large meeting can be intimidating to many, especially early career scientists, students, those attending alone, and those from...
Authors
Joseph James, Amanda Gunn, Denise M. Akob
Draft genome sequence of the Mn(II)-oxidizing bacterium Oxalobacteraceae sp. AB_14 Draft genome sequence of the Mn(II)-oxidizing bacterium Oxalobacteraceae sp. AB_14
Biological Mn(II) oxidation produces reactive manganese oxides that help to mitigate metal contamination in the environment. Here we present the genome of Oxalobacteraceae sp. AB_14, a species of Mn(II)-oxidizing bacteria (MOB) notable for its ability to catalyze Mn oxidation at low pH (5.5).
Authors
Timothy Bushman, Denise M. Akob, Tsing Bohu, Andrea Beyer, Tanja Woyke, Nicole Shapiro, Alla Lapidus, Hans-Peter Klenk, Kirsten Küsel
Phylogenetic techniques in geomicrobiology Phylogenetic techniques in geomicrobiology
Molecular biological techniques have revolutionized the field of geomicrobiology by providing researchers with robust techniques for identifying microorganisms and characterizing microbial communities in a wide variety of environments. These techniques have freed researchers from the constraints of classical culture-based microbiology and allowed the discovery of previously unknown...
Authors
Denise M. Akob, Adam Mumford, Darren Dunlop, Amisha Poret-Peterson
Effects of organic ligands and background electrolytes on barite dissolution Effects of organic ligands and background electrolytes on barite dissolution
Barite dissolution rates and features were investigated under conditions that combine a variety of organic ligands with different background electrolyte solutions. The organic ligands included low molecular weight organic compounds (LMWO) that can be produced by halophilic bacteria and are common in natural environments, as well as synthetic chelators that were previously studied in...
Authors
Bingjie Ouyang, Devon Renock, Denise Akob
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.
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 17
Chemistry of waters collected in the Wolf Creek and Buffalo Creek watersheds in West Virginia in 2016 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.
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 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...
Microbiology of the greater Bravo Dome region 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...
Common hydraulic fracturing fluid additives alter the structure and function of anaerobic microbial communities Common hydraulic fracturing fluid additives alter the structure and function of anaerobic microbial communities
Data supporting "Common hydraulic fracturing fluid additives alter the structure and function of anaerobic microbial communities", describing iron reduction experiments, microbial community profiling, and statistical testing of data.
MCHM Degradation Data Release 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...
Filter Total Items: 50
Oil and gas wastewater components alter streambed microbial community structure and function 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...
Authors
Denise M. Akob, Adam Mumford, Andrea Fraser, Cassandra Harris, William Orem, Matthew S. Varonka, Isabelle Cozzarelli
Draft genome sequence of Bordetella sp. strain FB-8, isolated from a former uranium mining area in Germany 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 Harris, Denise M. Akob, Maria Fabisch, Felix Beulig, Tanya Woyke, Nicole Shapiro, Alla Lapidus, Hans-Peter Klenk, Kirsten Küsel
Syntrophotalea acetylenivorans sp. nov., a diazotrophic, acetylenotrophic anaerobe isolated from intertidal sediments 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...
Authors
Shaun Baesman, John Sutton, Janna Fierst, Denise M. Akob, Ronald S. Oremland
Acetylene-fueled trichloroethene reductive dechlorination in a groundwater enrichment culture 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...
Authors
Sara Gushgari-Doyle, Ronald Oremland, Ray Keren, Shaun Baesman, Denise M. Akob, Jillian Banfield, Lisa Alvarez-Cohen
Mixotrophic iron-oxidizing Thiomonas isolates from an acid mine drainage-affected creek 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...
Authors
Denise M. Akob, Michelle Hallenbeck, Felix Beulig, Maria Fabisch, Kirsten Kusel, Jessica Keffer, Tanja Woyke, Nicole Shapiro, Alla Lapidus, Hans-Peter Klenk, Clara Chan
Geochemical and geophysical indicators of oil and gas wastewater can trace potential exposure pathways following releases to surface waters 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...
Authors
Isabelle Cozzarelli, Douglas Kent, Martin Briggs, Mark Engle, Adam Benthem, Katherine Skalak, Adam Mumford, Jeanne Jaeschke, Aida Farag, John W. Lane, Denise M. Akob
Compositional analysis of formation water geochemistry and microbiology of commercial and carbon dioxide-rich wells in the southwestern United States Compositional analysis of formation water geochemistry and microbiology of commercial and carbon dioxide-rich wells in the southwestern United States
Studies of naturally occurring subsurface carbon dioxide (CO2) accumulations can provide useful information for potential CO2 injection projects; however, the microbial communities and formation water geochemistry of most reservoirs are understudied. Formation water and microbial biomass were sampled at four CO2-rich reservoir sites: two within Bravo Dome, a commercial CO2 field in New...
Authors
Jenna L. Shelton, Robert Andrews, Denise Akob, Christina DeVera, Adam Mumford, Mark Engle, Michelle Plampin, Sean Brennan
Shale gas development has limited effects on stream biology and geochemistry in a gradient-based, multiparameter study in Pennsylvania Shale gas development has limited effects on stream biology and geochemistry in a gradient-based, multiparameter study in Pennsylvania
The number of horizontally drilled shale oil and gas wells in the United States has increased from nearly 28,000 in 2007 to nearly 127,000 in 2017, and research has suggested the potential for the development of shale resources to affect nearby stream ecosystems. However, the ability to generalize current studies is limited by the small geographic scope as well as limited breadth and...
Authors
Adam Mumford, Kelly Maloney, Denise M. Akob, Sarah Nettemann, Arianne Proctor, Jason Ditty, Luke Ulsamer, Josh Lookenbill, Isabelle Cozzarelli
Binning singletons: Mentoring through networking at ASM microbe 2019 Binning singletons: Mentoring through networking at ASM microbe 2019
The American Society for Microbiology (ASM) national conference, Microbe, is the flagship meeting for microbiologists across the globe. The presence of roughly 10,000 attendees provides enormous opportunities for networking and learning. However, such a large meeting can be intimidating to many, especially early career scientists, students, those attending alone, and those from...
Authors
Joseph James, Amanda Gunn, Denise M. Akob
Draft genome sequence of the Mn(II)-oxidizing bacterium Oxalobacteraceae sp. AB_14 Draft genome sequence of the Mn(II)-oxidizing bacterium Oxalobacteraceae sp. AB_14
Biological Mn(II) oxidation produces reactive manganese oxides that help to mitigate metal contamination in the environment. Here we present the genome of Oxalobacteraceae sp. AB_14, a species of Mn(II)-oxidizing bacteria (MOB) notable for its ability to catalyze Mn oxidation at low pH (5.5).
Authors
Timothy Bushman, Denise M. Akob, Tsing Bohu, Andrea Beyer, Tanja Woyke, Nicole Shapiro, Alla Lapidus, Hans-Peter Klenk, Kirsten Küsel
Phylogenetic techniques in geomicrobiology Phylogenetic techniques in geomicrobiology
Molecular biological techniques have revolutionized the field of geomicrobiology by providing researchers with robust techniques for identifying microorganisms and characterizing microbial communities in a wide variety of environments. These techniques have freed researchers from the constraints of classical culture-based microbiology and allowed the discovery of previously unknown...
Authors
Denise M. Akob, Adam Mumford, Darren Dunlop, Amisha Poret-Peterson
Effects of organic ligands and background electrolytes on barite dissolution Effects of organic ligands and background electrolytes on barite dissolution
Barite dissolution rates and features were investigated under conditions that combine a variety of organic ligands with different background electrolyte solutions. The organic ligands included low molecular weight organic compounds (LMWO) that can be produced by halophilic bacteria and are common in natural environments, as well as synthetic chelators that were previously studied in...
Authors
Bingjie Ouyang, Devon Renock, Denise Akob
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.
*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