Microbiology Laboratory
The Microbiology Laboratory undertakes research into microbial diversity and interactions between microbes and their environment, specifically in groundwater, to understand and exploit useful ecological functions. It is one of only three laboratories in Aotearoa New Zealand studying groundwater ecosystems.
The work we do contributes to an improved understanding of New Zealand’s environment and ecosystems, and their responses to stressors such as climate change, contamination, land use change or the arrival of invasive species.
Our Expertise
We identify the microbes present in a groundwater environment and their ecosystem functions, such as carbon, nitrogen and sulphur cycling, or removal of contaminants. This is done through DNA sequencing of either marker genes or entire genomes. We are currently building a database of aquifer microbial diversity throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, in collaboration with most of the Regional Councils.
We analyse how microbial communities respond to environmental changes such as temperature rise, salt-water intrusion or the presence of Emerging Organic Contaminants (EOC). This is done through culturing microbes in the laboratory and tracking changes in diversity or potential functions following exposure to different environmental conditions.
We investigate ways of remediating groundwater pollution by stimulating naturally present microbes to remove nitrate or other contaminants. This is done by culturing microbes in the presence of contaminants identified from groundwater and monitoring concentrations or breakdown products over time.
Clients
Our work supports Regional Councils and iwi trusts to make management decisions about groundwater, to maintain freshwater ecosystem ecological processes, support the natural biodiversity and identify resilience or sensitivity to environmental change.
Our Location
The Microbiology Lab is located at the GNS Science Wairakei Research Centre, based in Taupo - New Zealand’s geothermal heartland.
Our team
Is led by Lead Scientist, Microbiology Laboratory, Karen Houghton.
