Today, Dr. Hazel Barton, Loper Endowed Professor of Geological Sciences at the University of Alabama,  joins the #QualityQuorum to tell us about her explorations of cave microbiology and the relationship between microbiology and geology!

Host: Mark O. Martin

Guest: Hazel Barton

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Links for this episode

• An introduction of the fascinating field of geomicrobiology.
• An recent introduction to cave microbiology.
• An overview of Lechuguilla Cave discussed by Dr. Barton.
• An overview of Carlsbad Caverns discussed by Dr. Barton.
• An overview of Deer Cave in Borneo discussed by Dr. Barton.
• An overview of Wind Cave discussed by Dr. Barton.
• An article from Dr. Barton’s lab describing antibiotic resistance genes among cave microbes.
• An article from Dr. Barton and colleagues suggesting that iron metabolism could lead to cave formation. 
• An article from the Barton lab describing microbial photosynthesis driven by far red light in caverns.
• An article from Dr. Barton and colleagues describing the very unusual low bioload/high diversity microbial communities deep within Wind Cave.
• Dr. Barton’s faculty page at the University of Alabama.
• Dr. Barton’s quite impressive website about cave microbiology.
• A very impressive video with Dr. Barton.
• A fun “Twenty Questions” video with Dr. Barton.

Intro music is by Reber Clark

Send your questions and comments to [email protected]