School of Earth and Environment
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Liane G Benning Prof Liane G Benning

Professor of Experimental Biogeochemistry

Telephone number: +44(0) 113 34 35220
Email address: l.g.benning@leeds.ac.uk
Room: 9.163

Link to personal page

Biography

My research area is linked to the quantitative elucidation of geochemical reaction mechanisms at low to hydrothermal temperatures in inorganic and biologic systems. My group focuses on problems related to the speciation, transport, release, and sequestration of a series of elements in Earth surface environments as well as on processes linked to metal and nutrient cycling in microbial systems.

We are applying a variety of experimental (and some field) approaches to study the thermodynamic and kinetic processes involving silicates, carbonates, oxides and sulphides (e.g., nucleation, growth and crystallization kinetics of silica, iron oxides, carbonates, metal sulphides, fungal weathering of silicates, biomineralization in soils and geothermal and cryogenic areas, mineral -metal-organic/bacterial interactions on surfaces).

Experimental techniques applied include low temperature to hydrothermal autoclaves and reactors, conventional and high-resolution micro-spectroscopy, Infrared spectroscopy, light scattering (DLS), Vertical Scanning Interferometry (VSI) etc as well as genomic techniques that help elucidate the microbial community diversity and function in various mixed mineral-biofilm systems, in stressed culture environments or in natural field samples from geothermal or cryogenic extreme environments.

A large part of our work is focused on the use of synchrotron-based techniques to elucidate molecular level reaction mechanisms via the development and application of in situ and realtime techniques to quantify processes as they occur (e.g., SAXS/WAXS, hard and soft-XAS) or use mapping and quantification of functional group distributions (µ-FTIR and STXM) to elucidate fungal and bacterial biochemical signals.

Field-work in the last few years included geothermal extreme environments in Iceland and New Zealand and cryogenic extreme environments (cold deserts) in the Norwegian Arctic.

Publications

  • Shi, ZB; Woodhouse, MT; Carslaw, KS; Krom, MD; Mann, GW; Baker, AR; Savov, I; Fones, GR; Brooks, B; Drake, N; Jickells, TD; Benning, LG (2011) Minor effect of physical size sorting on iron solubility of transported mineral dust, ATMOS CHEM PHYS, 11, pp.8459-8469. doi:10.5194/acp-11-8459-2011
  • Tobler, DJ; Benning, LG (2011) Bacterial diversity in five Icelandic geothermal waters: temperature and sinter growth rate effects., Extremophiles, 15, pp.473-485. doi:10.1007/s00792-011-0378-z
  • Jorge-Villar, SE; Edwards, HGM; Benning, LG; AMASE 2004 Team (2011) Raman spectroscopic analysis of arctic nodules: relevance to the astrobiological exploration of Mars, ANAL BIOANAL CHEM, 401, pp.2927-2933. doi:10.1007/s00216-011-5385-5
  • Bonneville, S; Morgan, DJ; Schmalenberger, A; Bray, A; Brown, A; Banwart, SA; Benning, LG (2011) Tree-mycorrhiza symbiosis accelerate mineral weathering: Evidences from nanometer-scale elemental fluxes at the hypha-mineral interface, GEOCHIM COSMOCHIM AC, 75, pp.6988-7005. doi:10.1016/j.gca.2011.08.041
  • Rodriguez-Blanco, JD; Shaw, S; Benning, LG (2011) The kinetics and mechanisms of amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) crystallization to calcite, via vaterite. , Nanoscale, 3, pp.265-271. doi:10.1039/c0nr00589d
  • Shi, Z; Bonneville, S; Krom, MD; Carslaw, KS; Jickells, TD; Baker, AR; Benning, LG (2011) Iron dissolution kinetics of mineral dust at low pH during simulated atmospheric processing, ATMOS CHEM PHYS, 11, pp.995-1007. doi:10.5194/acp-11-995-2011
  • Roncal-Herrero, T; Rodriguez-Blanco, JD; Oelkers, EH; Benning, LG (2011) The direct precipitation of rhabdophane (REEPO4 center dot nH(2)O) nano-rods from acidic aqueous solutions at 5-100 A degrees C, J NANOPART RES, 13, pp.4049-4062. doi:10.1007/s11051-011-0347-6
  • Matamoros-Veloza, A; Newton, RJ; Benning, LG (2011) What controls selenium release during shale weathering? , Applied Geochemistry, 26, pp.S222-S226.
  • Shi, Z; Bonneville, S; Krom, MD; Carslaw, K; Jickells, TD; Backer, AR; Benning, LG (2011) Iron dissolution kinetics in mineral dust at low pH during simulated atmospheric processing., Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 11, pp.995-1007. doi:10.5194/acp-11-995-2011
  • Shi, Z; Krom, MD; Bonneville, S; Backer, AR; Bristow, C; Drake, N; Mann, G; McQuaid, J; Carslaw, K; Jickells, TD; Benning, LG (2011) Influence of chemical weathering and aging of iron oxides on the potential iron solubility of Saharan dust during simulated atmospheric processing., Global Biogeochemical Cycles, . doi:10.1029/2010GB003837
  • Bots, P; Benning, LG; Rickaby, REM; Shaw, S (2011) The role of SO4 in the switch from calcite to aragonite seas., Geology, 39, pp.331-334. doi:10.1130/G31619.1
  • Moisescu, C; Bonneville, S; Staniland, S; Ardelean, I; Benning, LG (2011) Iron uptake kinetics and magnetosome formation by Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense as function of pH, temperature and dissolved iron availability , Geomicrobiology Journal, 27, pp.590-600.
  • Benning, LG; Villar, SJ; Eigenbrode, JL; Tobler, DJ; Fogel, ML; Steele, A; Edwards, HGM; AMASE (2010) Cryophile Biosignature Preservation in Arctic Glacial Ice 'Survival of the Fittest' and What Does this Mean for Planetary Exploration?, ORIGINS LIFE EVOL B, 40, pp.534-534.
  • Vu, HP; Shaw, S; Brinza, L; Benning, LG (2010) The crystallization of hematite (alpha-Fe2O3) under alkaline condition: the effects of Pb, Crystal Growth and Design, 10, pp.1544-1551. doi:10.1021/cg900782
  • Staniland, S; Moisescu, C; Benning, LG (2010) Cell division in magnetotactic bacteria splits magnetosome chains, Journal of Basic Microbiology, 50, pp.1-5. doi:10.1002/jobm.200900408
  • Shi, ZB; Krom, M; Bonneville, S; Baker, A; Jickells, T; Carslaw, K; Mann, G; Benning, LG (2010) Influence of soil weathering on the potential iron solubility in soil dust subjected to atmospheric processing, GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA, 74, pp.A950-A950.
  • Ahmed, IAM; Benning, LG; Kakonyi, G; Sumoondur, AD; Terrill, NJ; Shaw, S (2010) Formation of Green Rust Sulfate: A Combined in Situ Time-Resolved X-ray Scattering and Electrochemical Study, LANGMUIR, 26, pp.6593-6603. doi:10.1021/la003035j
  • Matamoros, A; Benning, LG (2010) Selenium in shales: Where is it?, GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA, 74, pp.A677-A677.
  • Rodriguez-Blanco, JD; Bots, P; Terrill, NJ; Shaw, S; Benning, LG (2010) The mechanism of ACC nanoparticle transformation to vaterite, GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA, 74, pp.A876-A876.
  • Bonneville, S; Morgan, D; Bray, AW; Brown, A; Duran, A; Schmalenberger, A; Benning, LG (2010) Fungi on the rocks!, GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA, 74, pp.A103-A103.
  • Raiswell, R; Vu, HP; Brinza, L; Benning, LG (2010) The determination of labile Fe in ferrihydrite by ascorbic acid extraction: Methodology, dissolution kinetics and loss of solubility with age and de-watering, CHEM GEOL, 278, pp.70-79. doi:10.1016/j.chemgeo.2010.09.002
  • Bray, AW; Bonnevile, S; Cinque, G; Frogley, MD; Wehbe, K; Filik, J; Duran, AL; Schmalenberger, A; Romero-Gonzalez, M; Benning, LG (2010) High resolution functional group mapping of fungi on a mineral surface, GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA, 74, pp.A119-A119.
  • Brown, A; Bonneville, S; Sader, K; Benning, LG; Brydson, R (2009) Analytical electron microscopy of inorganic-organic interfaces, GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA, 73, pp.A163-A163.
  • Shi, ZB; Krom, MD; Bonneville, S; Baker, AR; Jickells, TD; Benning, LG (2009) Formation of Iron Nanoparticles and Increase in Iron Reactivity in Mineral Dust during Simulated Cloud Processing, ENVIRON SCI TECHNOL, 43, pp.6592-6596. doi:10.1021/es901294g
  • Eigenbrode, J; Benning, LG; Maule, J; Wainwright, N; Steele, A; Amundsen, HEF; AMASE 2006 Team (2009) A Field-Based Cleaning Protocol for Sampling Devices Used in Life-Detection Studies, ASTROBIOLOGY, 9, pp.455-465. doi:10.1089/ast.2008.0275
  • Behrends, T; Shaw, S; Benning, LG (2009) Enzymatic and abiotic Mn(II) oxidation: Cooperative or competitive pathways?, ABSTR PAP AM CHEM S, 237, .
  • Younse, PJ; Stroupe, A; Huntsberger, T; Garrett, M; Eigenbrode, JL; Benning, LG; Fogel, ML; Steele, A; AMASE, 2 (2009) Sample Acquisition and Caching using Detachable Scoops for Mars Sample Return , Aerospace conference, 2009 IEEE, pp.1-12. doi:10.1109/AERO.2009.4839312
  • Raiswell, R; Benning, LG; Davidson, L; Tranter, M; Tulaczyk, S (2009) Schwertmannite in wet, acid, and oxic microenvironments beneath polar and polythermal glaciers, GEOLOGY, 37, pp.431-434. doi:10.1130/G25350A.1
  • Brinza, L; Nygard, CA; Dring, MJ; Gavrilescu, M; Benning, LG (2009) Cadmium tolerance and adsorption by the marine brown alga Fucus vesiculosus from the Irish Sea and the Bothnian Sea, BIORESOURCE TECHNOL, 100, pp.1727-1733. doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2008.09.041
  • Tobler, DJ; Shaw, S; Benning, LG (2009) Quantification of initial steps of nucleation and growth of silica nanoparticles: An in-situ SAXS and DLS study, GEOCHIM COSMOCHIM AC, 73, pp.5377-5393. doi:10.1016/j.gca.2009.06.002
  • Bonneville, S; Smits, MM; Brown, A; Harrington, J; Leake, JR; Brydson, R; Benning, LG (2009) Plant-driven fungal weathering: Early stages of mineral alteration at the nanometer scale, GEOLOGY, 37, pp.615-618. doi:10.1130/G25699A.1
  • Roncal-Herrero, T; Rodriquez-Blanco, JD; Benning, LG; Oelkers, EH (2009) Precipitation of iron and aluminium phosphates directly from aqueous solution as a function of temperature from 50 to 200°C, Crystal Growth and Design, 9, pp.5197-5205. doi:10.1021/cg900654m
  • Bonneville, S; Morgan, D; Brown, A; Smits, M; Duran, A; Schmalenberger, A; Leake, JR; Banwart, S; Brydson, R; Benning, LG (2009) Quantifying chemical weathering at the biotite-mycorrhiza interface, GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA, 73, pp.A138-A138.
  • Davidson, LE; Shaw, S; Benning, LG (2008) The kinetics and mechanisms of schwertmannite transformation to goethite and hematite under alkaline conditions, AM MINERAL, 93, pp.1326-1337. doi:10.2138/am.2008.2761
  • Tobler, DJ; Stefansson, A; Benning, LG (2008) In-situ grown silica sinters in Icelandic geothermal areas, GEOBIOLOGY, 6, pp.481-502. doi:10.1111/j.1472-4669.2008.00179.x
  • Rodriguez-Blanco, JD; Shaw, S; Benning, LG (2008) How to make 'stable' ACC: protocol and preliminary structural characterization, MINERALOGICAL MAGAZINE, 72, pp.283-286. doi:10.1180/minmag.2008.072.1.283
  • Raiswell, R; Benning, LG; Tranter, M; Tulaczyk, S (2008) Bioavailable iron in the Southern Ocean: the significance of the iceberg conveyor belt, GEOCHEM T, 9, . doi:10.1186/1467-4866-9-7
  • Stibal, M; Tranter, M; Telling, J; Benning, LG (2008) Speciation, phase association and potential bioavailability of phosphorus on a Svalbard glacier, BIOGEOCHEMISTRY, 90, pp.1-13. doi:10.1007/s10533-008-9226-3
  • Stibal, M; Tranter, M; Benning, LG; Rehak, J (2008) Microbial primary production on an Arctic glacier is insignificant in comparison with allochthonous organic carbon input, ENVIRON MICROBIOL, 10, pp.2172-2178. doi:10.1111/j.1462-2920.2008.01620.x
  • Benning, L; Waychunas, G (2007) Nucleation, growth, and aggregation of mineral phases: Mechanisms and kinetic controls , In: Brantley, S; Kubicki, J; White, A (Ed) Kinetics of Water-rock Interaction, Springer, pp.259-335.
  • Hunger, S; Benning, LG (2007) Greigite: a true intermediate on the polysulfide pathway to pyrite, GEOCHEM T, 8, . doi:10.1186/1467-4866-8-1
  • Jorge-Villar, SE; Benning, LG; Edwards, HG; AMASE Team (2007) Raman and SEM analysis of a biocolonised hot spring travertine terrace in Svalbard, Norway, GEOCHEM T, 8, . doi:10.1186/1467-4866-8-8
  • Raiswell, R; Tranter, M; Benning, LG; Siegert, M; De'ath, R; Huybrechts, P; Payne, T (2006) Contributions from glacially derived sediment to the global iron (oxyhydr)oxide cycle: Implications for iron delivery to the oceans, GEOCHIM COSMOCHIM AC, 70, pp.2765-2780. doi:10.1016/j.gca.2005.12.027
  • Pancost, RD; Pressley, S; Coleman, JM; Talbot, HM; Kelly, SP; Farrimond, P; Schouten, S; Benning, LG; Mountain, BW (2006) Composition and implications of diverse lipids in New Zealand Geothermal sinters , Geobiology, 4, pp.71-92.
  • Yee, N; Shaw, S; Benning, LG; Nguyen, TH (2006) The rate of ferrihydrite transformation to goethite via the Fe(II) pathway, AM MINERAL, 91, pp.92-96. doi:10.2138/am.2006.1860
  • Villar, SEJ; Edwards, HGM; Benning, LG (2006) Raman spectroscopic and scanning electron microscopic analysis of a novel biological colonisation of volcanic rocks, ICARUS, 184, pp.158-169. doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2006.04.009
  • Pancost, RD; Pressley, S; Coleman, JM; Benning, LG; Mountain, BW (2005) Lipid biomolecules in silica sinters: indicators of microbial biodiversity , ENVIRON MICROBIOL, 7, pp.66-77. doi:10.1111/j.1462-2920.2004.00686.x
  • Benning, LG; Phoenix, V; Mountain, BW (2005) Biosilicification: the role of cyanobacteria in silica sinter deposition, In: Gadd; M, G; Semple; T, K; Lappin-Scott; M, H (Ed) Micro-organisms and earth systems: advances in geomicrobiology, Society for General Microbiology Symposium , Cambridge University Press, pp.131-150.
  • Carbo, P; Krom, MD; Homoky, WB; Benning, LG; Herut, B (2005) Impact of atmospheric deposition on N and P geochemistry in the southeastern Levantine basin , DEEP-SEA RES PT II, 52, pp.3041-3053. doi:10.1016/j.dsr2.2005.08.014
  • Hammer, O; Jamtveit, B; Benning, LG; Dysthe, DK (2005) Evolution of fluid chemistry during travertine formation in the Troll thermal springs, Svalbard, Norway, GEOFLUIDS, 5, pp.140-150.
  • Benning, LG; Phoenix, VR; Yee, N; Tobin, MJ (2004) Molecular characterization of cyanobacterial silicification using synchrotron infrared micro-spectroscopy, GEOCHIM COSMOCHIM AC, 68, pp.729-741. doi:10.1016/S0016-7037(03)00489-7
  • Benning, LG; Phoenix, V; Yee, N; Konhauser, KO (2004) The dynamics of cyanobacterial silicification: an infrared micro-spectroscopic investigation, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 68, pp.743-757. doi:10.1016/S0016-7037(03)00488-5
  • Yee, N; Benning, LG; Phoenix, VR; Ferris, FG (2004) Characterization of metal-cyanobacteria sorption reactions: A combined macroscopic and infrared spectroscopic investigation, ENVIRON SCI TECHNOL, 38, pp.775-782.
  • Yee, N; Nguyen, TH; Benning, LG; Shaw, S (2004) ED-XRD study of ferrihydrite transformation to goethite via the FeII pathway, Water Rock Interaction, 11, pp.1145-1148.
  • Yee, N; Benning, LG; Konhauser, KO (2004) Silica colloid aggregation by cyanobacteria: a microbial silicification mechanism, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 68, pp.199.
  • Benning, LG; Mountain, BW (2004) The silicification of microorganisms: a comparison between in situ experiments in the field and in the laboratory, Water-Rock Interaction, 11, pp.3-10.
  • Pancost, RD; Pressly, S; Coleman, JM; Benning, LG; Sinninghe Damste, JS; Mountain, BW (2004) Organic geochemical insights into the role of microorganisms during mineral precipitation, Water Rock Interaction, 11, pp.1235-1238.
  • Lvov, SN; Zhou, XY; Ulmer, GC; Barnes, HL; MacDonald, DD; Ulyanov, SM; Benning, LG; Grandstaff, DE; Manna, M; Vicenzi, E (2003) Progress on yttria-stabilized zirconia sensors for hydrothermal pH measurements, Chemical Geology, 198, pp.141-162. doi:10.1016/S0009-2541(03)00033-0
  • Yee, N; Phoenix, VR; Konhauser, KO; Benning, LG; Ferris, FG (2003) The effect of cyanobacteria on silica precipitation at neutral pH: implications for bacterial silicification in geothermal hot springs, CHEM GEOL, 199, pp.83-90. doi:10.1016/S0009-2541(03)00120-7
  • Cleverley, JS; Benning, LG; Mountain, BW (2003) Reaction path modelling in the As-S system: a case study for geothermal As transport, APPLIED GEOCHEMISTRY, 18, pp.1325-1345. doi:10.1016/S0883-2927(03)00054-4
  • Mountain, BW; Benning, LG; Boerema, JA (2003) Experimental studies on New Zealand hot spring sinters: rates of growth and textural development, CAN J EARTH SCI, 40, pp.1643-1667. doi:10.1139/E03-068
  • Zhou, XY; Lvov, SN; Wei, XJ; Benning, LG; Macdonald, DD (2002) Quantitative evaluation of general corrosion of Type 304 stainless steel in subcritical and supercritical aqueous solutions via electrochemical noise analysis, CORROS SCI, 44, pp.841-860.
  • Mountain, BW; Benning, LG; Boerema, J (2002) Biomineralization in New Zealand geothermal areas: rates of growth and trace metal incorporation, Geochemistry of the Earth's Surface, 6, pp.276-282.
  • Yee, N; Benning, LG (2002) In situ FTIR study of protonation reactions at the bacteria-water interface, GEOCHIM COSMOCHIM AC, 66, pp.A862-A862.
  • Benning, LG (2002) Arsenic sulphides: nucleation and growth from aqueous solution, Geochemistry of the Earth's Surface, 6, pp.94-98.
  • Benning, LG; Phoenix, V; Yee, N; Tobin, MJ; Konhauser, KO; Mountain, BW (2002) Molecular characterization of cyanobacterial cells during silicification: a synchrotron-based infrared study, Geochemistry of the Earth's Surface, 10, pp.259-263.
  • Benning, LG (2001) Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta(Editorship), Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, .
  • Cleverley, JS; Benning, LG; Mountain, BW; Gorringe, MC (2001) Arsenic sulphide precipitation in an active geothermal system: reaction path modelling, WATER-ROCK INTERACTION, VOLS 1 AND 2, pp.157-160.
  • Konhauser, KO; Phoenix, VR; Benning, LG (2001) How do microorganisms silicify?, WATER-ROCK INTERACTION, VOLS 1 AND 2, pp.1449-1452.
  • Pitcairn, I; Banks, DA; Benning, LG; Shinohara, H; Goff, F (2001) delta 37Cl and Cl/Br systematics of volcanic gases, Water-Rock Interaction, 10, pp.903-906.
  • Benning, LG; Wilkin, RT; Barnes, HL (2000) Reaction pathways in the Fe-S system below 100°C, Chemical Geology, 167, pp.25-51.
  • Benning, LG; Wilkin, RT; Barnes, HL (2000) Solubility and stability of zeolites in aqueous solution: II. Calcic clinoptilolite and mordenite, American Mineralogist, 85, pp.495-508.
  • Cahill, CL; Benning, LG; Barnes, HL; Parise, JB (2000) In situ time-resolved X-ray diffraction of iron sulfides during hydrothermal pyrite growth, Chemical Geology, 167, pp.53-63.
  • Benning, LG; Wilkin, RT; Konhauser, KO (1999) Iron monosulphide stability: experiments with sulphate reducing bacteria, Geochemistry of the Earth Surface, 5, pp.429-432.
  • Benning, L; Barnes, H (1998) In situ determination of the stability of iron monosulphides and kinetics of pyrite formation., Mineralogical Magazine, 62A, pp.115-152.
  • Cahill, C; Benning, L; Norby, P; Clark, S; Schoonen, M; parise, J (1998) In situ X-ray diffraction apparatus and its application to hydrothermal reactions of iron sulfide growth and phase transformations., Mineralogical Magazine, 62A, pp.267-268.
  • Wyss, M; Hermann, J; Muntener, O; Benning, L (1998) Polyphase, Structural, Intrusive and Metamorphic Evolution of the Bockfjorden area, NW Spitsbergen. , Schweizerische Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen, 78, pp.87-106.
  • Benning, LG; Seward, TM (1996) Hydrosulphide complexing of Au(I) in hydrothermal solutions from 150-400°C and 500-1500 bar, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 60, pp.1849-1871.
  • Benning, LG; Seward, TM (1995) AuHS° - An important gold-transporting complex in high temperature hydrosulphide solutions, Water Rock Interaction, 8, pp.783-786.
  • Benning, L; Seward, T (1995) Hydrosulphide complexes of gold(I) at high temperatures and pressures: equilibrium and kinetic problems., Mineralogical Magazine, 58A, pp.75-76.
  • Benning, L; Sidler, D (1992) Petrographie der Margna- und der Sella-Decke zwischen Pass d'Ur und Pizzo Scalino (Val Malenco, Provinz Sondrio, Italien). [Petrography at the contact of the Margna- and Sella-nappes and the Malenco serpentinite in the Pass d’Ur-Pizzo Scalino area (Val Malenco, Italy)] , Schweizerische Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen, 72, pp.213-224.
  • Sidler, D; Benning, L (1991) Die Entwicklung der Strukturen im Südosten der Margna-Decke und des Malenco-Ultramafitits (Provinz Sondrio, Italien). [Structures in the south-eastern Margna-nappe and in the Malenco ultramafitite (Province Sondrio, Italy)] , Schweizerische Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen, 72, pp.57-68.
  • Smits, M; Herrmann, A; Duane, M; Duckworth, O; Bonneville, S; Benning, L; Lundstrom, U (Not yet published) The fungal-mineral interface: Challenges and considerations of micro-analytical developments, Fungal Biology Reviews, .
  • Benning, L (Not yet published) Geochemical Transaction (Associate Editor), Geochemical Transactions, .
  • Benning, LG (Not yet published) Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta (Associate Editor), Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, .