Department of Geology
Delehanty Hall 321
Gregory.Druschel@uvm.edu
Tel. 802-656-3841 (office)
Tel. 802-656-0045 (fax)
Assistant Professor, University of Vermont Department of Geology – January 2004 – current
Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Vermont Rubenstein School of the Environment and Natural Resources – September 2007 - current
Director,
Postdoctoral
Researcher, University of
RESEARCH INTERESTS
I study the interdependence of microbial activity and geochemical cycling in a range of environments. The goal is to gain insight on defining the role of microbes in different environments and how much they affect the stability and transport of a variety of compounds in those environments. Germaine topics addressing these questions include the kinetics of redox reactions, molecular clusters and reactions driving nanoparticle formation and dissolution, relating microbial ecology to geochemical niches, and the application of statistical, thermodynamic, kinetic, and molecular models to predictive analysis of environmental perturbation.
Ph.D., Geochemistry,
M.S., Geology,
B.S., Geology, Earth Science, and Chemistry (minor).
Bond P.L., Druschel G.K., and Banfield
J.F., 2000: Comparison of acid mine drainage microbial communities in
physically and geochemically distinct ecosystems. Applied And Environmental
Microbiology, Vol. 66, Iss. 11, pp 4962-4971.
Clingenpeel, S.R., D’Imperio, S., Oduro, H., Druschel,
G.K., and McDermott, T.R., in review: Cloning and In situ Expression Studies of
the Hydrogenobaculum Arsenite Oxidase
Genes. Applied and Environmental
Microbiology.
Drizo, A., Cummings, J., Weber, D., Twohig, E., and
Druschel, G., 2008: New Evidence of phosphorus rejuvenation in EAF Steel
Slag. Environmental Science and Technology,
Vol. 42(16), p. 6191-6197.
D’Imperio, S., Lehr, C.R., Oduro, H., Druschel, G.,
Kuhl, M., and McDermott, T.R. (2008): On the relative importance of H2 and H2S
as energy sources for primary production in geothermal springs. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. Vol.
74, p. 5802-5808.
Druschel, G.K., Emerson, D., Sutka, R., and Luther,
G.W., 2008: Low oxygen and chemical kinetic constraints on the geochemical
niche of neutrophilic iron(II) oxidizing microorganisms. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta. Vol. 72, p. 3358-3370.
Druschel , G.K. and Borda, M., 2006: Comment on
“Pyrite dissolution in acidic media” by M. Descostes, P. Vitorge, and C.
Beaucaire. Geochemica et Cosmochimica
Acta, Vol. 70, p. 5246-5250.
Druschel., G.K., Hartmann, A., Lomonaco, R. and
Oldrid, K., 2005: Determination of sediment phosphorus concentrations in
Druschel G.K., Rosenberg P.E., 2001:
Non-magmatic fracture-controlled hydrothermal systems in the Idaho Batholith:
South Fork Payette geothermal system. Chemical Geology, Vol. 173, Iss. 4, pp
271-291.
Druschel, G.K., Schoonen,
M.A.A., Nordstrom, D.K., Ball, J.W., Xu, Y., And Cohn, C., 2003: Sulfur
geochemistry of hydrothermal waters in
Druschel, G.K., Labrenz, M.,
Thomsen-Ebert, T., Fowle, D.A. and Banfield, J.F., 2002: Biogenic Precipitation
of Monomineralic Nanocrystalline Sulfides: Implications of Observed and Modeled
Processes to
Druschel,
G.K., Hamers, R.J., and Banfield, J.F., 2003: Kinetics and mechanism of
homogeneous polythionate oxidation at low pH with oxygen and ferric iron. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta Vol. 67, No.
23, p. 4457-4469.
Druschel, G.K.,
Hamers, R.J., Luther, G.W., and Banfield, J.F., 2003: Kinetics and mechanism of
trithionate and tetrathionate oxidation at low pH by hydroxyl radicals. Aquatic Geochemistry. V. 9 No. 2, p. 145-164.
Druschel, G.K., Baker, B.J., Gihring, T.H., and
Banfield, J.F., 2004: Acid mine drainage biogeochemistry at
Druschel, G.K., Sutka, R, Emerson, D., Luther, G.W.,
Kraiya, C., and Glazer, B., 2004: Voltammetric investigation of Fe-Mn-S species
in a microbially active wetland. In: Proceedings of the Eleventh
International Symposium on Water-Rock Interaction WRI-11. Wanty, R.B. and
Seal, R.R (eds.). p. 1191-1194.
Edwards K.J., Bond P.L., Druschel G.K.,
McGuire M.M., Hamers R.J., Banfield J.F., 2000: Geochemical and biological
aspects of sulfide mineral dissolution: lessons from
Gihring, T.M., Druschel, G.K.,
McCleskey, R.B., Hamers, R.J., and Banfield, J.F., 2001: Rapid arsenite
oxidation by Thermus aquaticus and Thermus thermophilus: Field and
laboratory investigations. Environmental
Science and Technology, Vol. 35, No. 19, pp. 3857-3862.
Labrenz M., Druschel G.K., Thomsen-Ebert T., Gilbert
B., Welch S.A., Kemner K.M., Logan G.A., Summons R.E., De Stasio G., Bond P.L.,
Lai B., Kelly S.D., Banfield J.F., 2001:
Formation of sphalerite (ZnS) deposits in natural biofilms of sulfate-reducing
bacteria. Science, Vol. 290, Iss. 5497, pp 1744-1747.
Labrenz, M. and Druschel, G.K., 2008: Zn. Contribution to the Encyclopedia of
Geobiology. Springer Encyclopedia of Earth Science Series (EESS).
Luther, G.W.,
III, Glazer, B., Ma, S., Trouwborst, R., Schultz, B.R., Druschel G.K., Kraiya,
C., 2003: Iron and sulfur chemistry in a stratified lake: Evidence for
iron-rich sulfide complexes. Aquatic
Geochemistry V. 9, No. 2, p. 87-110.
Luther, G.W., III, Glazer, B., Ma, S., Trouwborst,
Moore, T.S., Metzger, E., Kraiya, C.,Waite, T.J., Druschel G.K., Sundby, B.,
Taillefert, M., Nuzzio, D., Shank, T.M., and Brendel, P.J., 2008: Use of
voltammetric solid state (micro)electrodes for studying biogeochemical
processes: Laboratory measurements to real time measurements with an in situ
electrochemical analyzer (ISEA). Marine
Chemistry V. 108, No. 9, p. 221-235.
Macalady, J.L., Dattagupta, S., Schaperdoth,
Mouser, P.J., Rizzo, D.M., O’Grady, P.O., Morales,
S.E., Hayden, N., Druschel, G.K., and Stevens, L, in prep: Assessing temporal
changes in groundwater quality for a landfill-leachate contaminated aquifer
using microbial community profiling.
Environmental Science and Technology
Oduro, H., and Druschel, G.K. (in review): The
formation and oxidation of
Porada, H., and Druschel, G.K., in review: Microbial mats
participating in the deposition of the siliciclastic ‘ore formation’ in the
Copperbelt of Zambia. Geobiology.
Roesler, A.J., Gammons, C.H., Druschel, G.K., Oduro,
H., and Poulson, S.R., 2007: Geochemistry of flooded underground mine workings
influenced by bacterial sulfate reduction.
Aquatic Geochemistry. Vol. 13, No. 5, p. 211-235.
Druschel, G.K., 2008.
New insights on biogeochemical
processes affecting geologic and environmental systems from high resolution
redox chemistry. Presented to the Environmental
Science and Engineering Program, California Institute of Technology, November
19, 2008.
Druschel, G.K., 2008.
New insights on biogeochemical
processes affecting geologic and environmental systems from high resolution
redox chemistry. Presented to the
Geology and Environmental Science Departments,
Druschel, G.K., 2008.
Microbial
Geochemistry: Putting together redox geochemistry, mineralogy, and
microorganisms to better understand environmental and geological processes. Presented to the Biochemistry Department,
Druschel, G.K., and Watzin, M.C., 2008. The Missisquoi
bay system: what triggers cyanobacterial blooms – linking external and internal
loading effects on the ecosystem.
Presented at the 2008 Joint International workshop on the
Druschel, G.K., 2008.
Voltammetric electrodes and the delineation of detailed microbial redox
chemistry over fine spatial and temporal scales. Presented at the 2008 Chapman conference on
Biogeophysics,
Druschel, G.K., Emerson, D., and Macalady, J.,
2008. Environmental voltammetry to
characterize microbial habitats.
Presented at the 2008 Goldschmidt Conference,
Oduro, H. and Druschel, G.K., 2008. Formation and oxidation of
Druschel, G.K., Smith, L.G., Melchiors, M., and
Watzin, M., 2008. Redox chemistry and
internal nutrient loading mechanisms across the sediment-water interface in
Druschel, G.K., Oduro, H., Eastman, D., Smith, L.,
Boyd, E., Macalady, J.L., and Gammons, C.H., 2007. Electrochemical determinations of key redox
species associated with microbial activity.
Presented at the 2007 Geological Society of America conference,
Pearce, A., Bierman, P., Druschel., G.K., Massey, C.,
Rizzo, D., Watzin, M., and Wemple, B., 2007: Developing a watershed field
course to inspire interdisciplinary learning.
Presented at the 2007 Geological Society of America conference,
Druschel, G.K., 2007: In situ microelectrodes in the field and in the lab: New insights
on iron-sulfur speciation and microbial function. Presented to the Marine Sciences Program,
Druschel, G.K., Lorenson, G., Oduro, H., and
McDermott, T., 2006. Arsenic and sulfur
transformations in hydrothermal spring waters and microbial mats of
Druschel, G.K., 2006: Linking chemistry and microbes:
using in situ microelectrodes in the field and in the lab. Presented to the Department of Geology,
Druschel, G.K., 2006: Linking chemistry and microbes:
using in situ microelectrodes in the field and in the lab. Presented to the
Angel, R., Nagouker, N., and Druschel., G.K.,
2006. Community Analysis of Bacteria using T-RFLP technique across the Sediment
at St. Albans Bay, Lake Champlain VT, U.S.A with Respect to Redox Gradient. Presented at the 2006 International Society
for Microbial Ecology International Meeting,
Druschel., G.K., Lorenson, G.W., Eastman, D.E., Oduro,
H., and Macalady, J. Voltammetric determination of iron, sulfur, and arsenic
redox speciation in natural waters as a guide to microbial sampling
strategies. Presented at the 2006 National
Meeting of the American Chemical Society,
Druschel, G.K., 2006: Linking chemistry and microbes:
using in situ microelectrodes in the field and in the lab. Presented to Montana State Thermal Biology
Program as part of a visiting scholar program, May 29, 2006.
Druschel, G.K., 2006: Linking chemistry and microbes:
using in situ microelectrodes in the field and in the lab. Presented to the Plant and Soil Sciences
Department,
Druschel, G.K., 2006: Minerals and Microbes: Field studies in
Druschel, G.K., 2006: In situ microelectrodes in the
field and in the lab: Linking geochemical cycling with microbial activity. Presented to the Department of Geology,
Druschel, G.K., Lorenson, G., Eastmann, D.A.,
Macalady, J., 2005: Redox speciation and biogeochemical gradients: Assessing spatial
niches and monitoring dynamics in natural systems with voltammetric
microelectrodes. Presented at the 2005
National Meeting of the American Geophysical Union,
Mouser, P.J., Rizzo, D.M., Druschel, G.K., O’Grady, P.,
and Stevens, L., 2005: Innovative Methods for Integrating
Knowledge for Long-Term Monitoring of Contaminated Groundwater Sites:
Understanding Microorganism Communities and their Associated Hydrochemical
Environment. Presented at the
2005 National Meeting of the American Geophysical Union,
Druschel, G.K., 2005: Geochemical niches for microbes and details of
sulfur cycling seen through the use of voltammetric microelectrodes. Presented to the Geology Department, Massachussets
Institute of Technology, October 28, 2005.
Druschel, G.K., 2005: Tools and Methods for thinking about the role
microbes play in environmental processes. Presented to the Peace Partners:
Arab-Israel-Vermont Global Water Resources Symposium, October 6, 2005.
Druschel, G.K., 2005: Microbial Geochemistry: Field excursions and lab experiments to
look at the links between microbes and geochemical cycling. Presented to the Geology Department at
Druschel, G.K., 2005: In situ microelectrodes in the
field and in the lab: Linking geochemical cycling with microbial activity. Presented to the Geology Department of
Druschel, G.K., 2005: Methods to investigate sediment and water column redox chemistry changes
associated with nutrient availability.
Presented at the PRIME Meeting,
Druschel, G.K., 2005: In situ microelectrodes in the
field and in the lab: Linking geochemical cycling with microbial activity. Presented to the
Druschel, G.K., Lorenson, G.L., Mouser, P.,
Druschel, G.K., 2005: Determination of sediment phosphorus concentrations in
Lorenson, G.,
Druschel, G.K., Lorenson, G., Rizzo, D.,
Druschel, G.K., 2005: In situ microelectrodes in the
field and in the lab: Linking geochemical cycling with microbial activity. Presented to the Geology Department at
Druschel, G.K., 2005: In situ microelectrodes in the
field and in the lab: Linking geochemical cycling with microbial activity. Presented to the Geology Department at
Druschel, G.K., 2004: Current state of research on P
loading in
Druschel, G.K, Emerson, D., Luther, G.W. ., Sutka, R,
Kraiya, C., and Glazer, B., 2004: Environmental limits of the circumneutral
iron-oxidizing bacterial isolate ES-1: Field, culture, and kinetic results from
voltammetric analyses. Presented at the
V.M. Goldscmidt Conference,
Druschel, G.K. and Borda, M., 2003. Co-chairs, Symposium on: Metal Sulfide
Formation And Reactivity: A Multi-Discplinary Approach To The Role Of Metal
Sulfide Minerals In Past And Present Environments. Symposia at the March, 2003 American Chemical
Society Annual Meeting.
Druschel, G.K., Borda, M., Hamers, R.J.,
Luther III, G.W., and Banfield, J.F., 2002: Elemental Sulfur Reactions at Low
Ph and Their Implication for Microbial Activity in Acid Mine Drainage
Environments. Presented at the Fall 2002 Meeting of the American Geophysical
Druschel, G.K., Hamers, R.J., and
Banfield, J.F., 2001: Competitive Oxidation Kinetics and
Microbial Ecology: Intermediate Sulfur Transformations in Acid Mine Drainage
Environments. Presented at the Fall 2001
Meeting of the American Geophysical
Druschel,
G.K., Hamers, R.J., and Banfield, J.F., 2001: Tetrathionate catalysis by
natural sulfide minerals in acid mine drainage systems. Presented at the 2001 National Meeting of the
American Chemical Society.
Druschel, G.K., Chan,
C.S., Moreau, J., Thomsen-Ebert, T., Labrenz, M., Fowle, D.,
Druschel,
G.K., Hamers, R.J., and Banfield, J.F., 2000: Oxidation kinetics of
tetrathionate at low pH: Implications for pyrite oxidation mechanisms and
microbial ecology in acid mine drainage environments. Presented at the 2000 Goldschmidt Conference.
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
Greg Lorenson (M.S., 2006) Harry Oduro (M.S., 2007)
Lydia Smith (curr. M.S.) Jessica Sperling (curr. M.S.)
Secondary Advisor:
Andrea Pierce (curr Ph.D. w/Rizzo)
Julia LaRouche (curr M.S. w/ Bowden)
Simon Bird (M.S. w/Drizo 2008)
Jane Duxbury (M.S. w/Bierman 2008)
Bethany Zinni (M.S. w/Lini 2006)
Heather Burgess (M.S. w/Lini 2007)
Kate Crawford (M.S. w/Watzin, 2007)
Martin Lee (curr. M.S. w/Rizzo)