School of Earth and Environment

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 addresses geochemical reaction mechanisms at low to hydrothermal temperatures in inorganic and biologic systems.

We are applying a variety of laboratory and some field approaches to study biogeochemical processes (e.g., nucleation, growth and crystallization kinetics of minerals, fungal weathering, biomineralization, life in extreme geothermal and cryogenic areas, etc).

Experimental techniques include various laboratory synthesis methods and concentional and high-resolution microscopic and microspectroscopic approaches and all the way to 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 through in situ and realtime techniques that help quantify processes as they occur or use mapping and quantification of functional group distributions to elucidate microbial 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 European Arctic (Svalbard, Greenland, Iceland).

Funding

Publications

  • Vellina B; Rodriguez-Blanco JD; Brown AP; Blanco JA; Benning LG (2013) Amorphous dysprosium carbonate: characterization, stability, and crystallization pathways, Journal of Nanoparticle Research, 15, pp.1438-1450. doi: 10.1007/s11051-013-1438-3
  • Smits MM; Leake JR; Bonneville S; Benning LG; Banwart SA (2012) Plant-driven weathering of apatite - the role of an ectomycorrhizal fungus, Geobiology, 10, pp.445-456. doi: 10.1111/j.1472-4669.2012.00331.x
  • Rodriguez-Blanco JD; Shaw S; Bots P; Roncal-Herrero T; Benning LG (2012) The role of pH and Mg on the stability and crystallization of amorphous calcium carbonate, Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 536, . doi: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2011.11.057
  • Zegeye A; Bonneville S; Benning LG; Sturm A; Fowle DA; Jones C; Canfield DE; Ruby C; MacLean LC; Nomosatryo S; Crowe SA; Poulton SW (2012) Green rust formation controls nutrient availability in a ferruginous water column, GEOLOGY, 40, pp.599-602. doi: 10.1130/G32959.1
  • Steele A; McCubbin FM; Fries MD; Golden DC; Ming DW; Benning LG (2012) Graphite in the martian meteorite Allan Hills 84001, AMERICAN MINERALOGIST, 97, pp.1256-1259. doi: 10.2138/am.2012.4148
  • Van Driessche AE; Benning LG; Rodriguez-Blanco JD; Ossorio M; Bots P; García-Ruiz JM (2012) The role and implications of bassanite as a stable precursor phase to gypsum precipitation., Science, 336, pp.69-72. doi: 10.1126/science.1215648
  • Csákberényi-Malasics D; Pósfai M; Rodriguez-Blanco JD; Benning LG; Kis VK; Re?nik A (2012) Structural properties and transformations of precipitated FeS, Chemical Geology, 294-295, pp.249-258. doi: 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2011.12.009
  • Bots P; Benning LG; Rodriguez-Blanco JD; Roncal-Herrero T; Shaw S (2012) Mechanistic Insights into the Crystallization of Amorphous Calcium Carbonate (ACC), Crystal Growth and Design, . doi: 10.1021/cg300676b
  • Sand KK; Rodriguez-Blanco JD; Makovicky E; Benning LG; Stipp SLS (2012) Crystallization of CaCO3 in Water-Alcohol Mixtures: Spherulitic Growth, Polymorph Stabilization, and Morphology Change, CRYSTAL GROWTH & DESIGN, 12, pp.842-853. doi: 10.1021/cg2012342
  • 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
  • Roncal-Herrero T; Rodríguez-Blanco JD; Oelkers EH; Benning LG (2011) The direct precipitation of rhabdophane (REEPO4ˇnH2O) nano-rods from acidic aqueous solutions at 5-100 °C, Journal of Nanoparticle Research, pp.1-14.
  • Matamoros-Veloza A; Newton RJ; Benning LG (2011) What controls selenium release during shale weathering?, Applied Geochemistry, 26, pp.S222-S226.
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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 Z; Bonneville S; Krom MD; Benning LG; Carslaw KS; Jickells TD; Baker AR (2010) Iron dissolution kinetics of mineral dust at low pH during simulated atmospheric processing, Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions, 10, pp.26607-26640. doi: 10.5194/acpd-10-26607-2010
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Smits MM; Herrmann AM; Duane M; Duckworth OW; Bonneville S; Benning LG; Lundström U (2009) The fungal-mineral interface: Challenges and considerations of micro-analytical developments, Fungal Biology Reviews, 23, pp.122-131. doi: 10.1016/j.fbr.2009.11.001
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Moisescu C; Bonneville S; Tobler D; Ardelean I; Benning LG (2008) Controlled biomineralization of magnetite (Fe3O4) by Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense, Mineralogical Magazine, 72, pp.333-336. doi: 10.1180/minmag.2008.072.1.333
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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; 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.
  • Yee N; Benning LG; Konhauser KO (2004) Silica colloid aggregation by cyanobacteria: a microbial silicification mechanism, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 68, pp.pp.199.
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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; 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 (2002) Arsenic sulphides: nucleation and growth from aqueous solution, Geochemistry of the Earth's Surface, 6, pp.94-98.
  • 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 (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.
  • Benning LG; Wilkin RT; Barnes HL (2000) Reaction pathways in the Fe-S system below 100°C, Chemical Geology, 167, pp.25-51.
  • 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; Barnes HL (2000) Solubility and stability of zeolites in aqueous solution: II. Calcic clinoptilolite and mordenite, American Mineralogist, 85, pp.495-508.
  • 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.
  • Shi ZB; Krom MD; Jickells TD; Bonneville S; Carslaw KS; Mihalopoulos N; Benning LG (Not yet published) Impacts on iron solubility in the mineral dust by processes in the source region and the atmosphere: A review, Aeolian Research, 5, pp.21-42. doi: 10.1016/j.aeolia.2012.03.001
  • 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, .