Biomineralization of Karst Cave deposits (Past)

Sae Jung Chang, Associate Research Scientist, Yale Geology & Geophysics, work involves studies of cave environments, and how microorganisms are involved in formation of apatite deposits in caves, specifically those in South Korea.  Dr. Chang has worked with Dr. Lisa Stout to identify types of bacteria in different cave apatite crusts as well as bat guano, a potential source of microorganisms in cave environments, with the goal of providing additional evidence for certain types of microorganisms being involved in formation of cave deposits.  Dr. Chang’s work also used the same 16S rRNA analysis to fingerprint different bacterial types.