This project seeks to examine carbon cycling mechanisms of active bacteria in the freshwater to marine transition zone of Delaware Bay, one of the nation’s largest estuaries. To learn how the microbial community changes over space and time, the team will study samples collected from trips taken at different times throughout the year. Researchers want to learn more about the functional potential and expression patterns of microbial communities and the functional potential of viruses. Though little is known about the metabolisms of the bacteria in the estuary, previous studies suggest that the bacteria in lower part of the bay and coastal ocean are capable of transforming pollutants, nitrogen and sulfur compounds of interest to the Department of Energy.
Proposer’s Name: Barbara Campbell, Clemson University