ALEXANDRIA, VA. -- Geology traditionally focuses on the "big picture" -- on the origin and evolution of Earth over billions of years. Geoscientists, however, can learn more about the planet and its past by studying its smallest creatures.
In the August 1997 issue of Geotimes, H. Catherine Skinner (Yale University) and Jillian Banfield (University of Wisconsin) survey the growing field of geomicrobiology in their article, "Microbes All Around." Scientists today are probing the intersection of the biologic and inorganic, looking at the role of microorganisms in creating Earth's oxygen atmosphere; determining the composition and distribution of rocks and minerals; and shaping global climate and climate change.
"The study of microbes, their life cycles, and reactions present whole new areas for investigation that will augment our understanding of Earth and earth processes," write Skinner and Banfield. "Earth as we know it probably reflects the action of microbes far more than we geoscientists have heretofore considered."
Geomicrobiology grabbed headlines last year when scientists unveiled evidence of possible microbial life on Mars. British researchers involved in announcing this discovery to the media could have used the advice offered by Richard Kerr in his article, "Navigating the Murky Waters of News Embargoes."
Kerr, who has covered the earth and planetary science beat for Science for 20 years, looks at the restrictions imposed on authors by scientific journals and the consequences of violating embargo rules. A London press conference on martian meteorite ALH84001, for example, cost some researchers an opportunity to present their findings to the scientific community in Nature's prestigious pages.
Peer-reviewed journals tell scientists not to publicize their research before their papers appear, but informing colleagues and the public about scientific advances is an important part of the research process. Kerr explores the challenges involved in walking "this fine line between self- promotion and free scientific communication."
This issue of Geotimes also looks at another issue that cuts across disciplines -- funding viable research programs. In the case study, "The Value of Independence: The Institute for the Study of Earth and Man," James E. Brooks describes how that organization has supported geological and anthropological research at Southern Methodist University (SMU) for more than 30 years.
Many science departments today face increased competition for funding on campus at a time when outside sources of support are also shrinking. "Independent institutes ... can help fill the gap," argues Brooks, professor emeritus of geology at SMU. "Supplementary funds added to a university's basic budget allocation can make a significant difference in the pace and progress of research."
Geotimes is published by the American Geological Institute, a nonprofit federation of 31 member societies representing geologists, geophysicists, and other earth and environmental scientists. This press release and other institute news can be accessed on the World Wide Web at www.agiweb.org/agi/news.html.
