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This is a microscopic photo of metal-oxidizing bacteria found in biofilm samples taken from a South African gold mine. The samples were taken by participants of the University of Tennessee's Biogeochemical Educational Experiences -- South Africa, a Research Experiences for Undergraduates program.
South African mines, particularly the deep gold mines, have been selected for study because they provide relatively easy access to deep fissure waters and the rocks that host them. Since these mines are some of the deepest excavations in the world, they increase the possibility of uncontaminated studies of earlier evolution.Image credit: Courtesy University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and University of the Free State, South Africa's Research Experiences for Undergraduates program
