The numerous, sulfur-enriched mineral springs in southern Indianarepresent a unique resource for the state. The springs, locatedin and around French Lick, Indiana, have long been valued fortheir “medicinal purposes” and were even bottled at one time.Today, resorts in the area attract a significant amount of tourism because of the springs.
David Treves, an assistant professor of biology at IU Southeast,along with Denise Duke, a senior biology major, are researchingthe different types of bacteria present in the springs and theirfunctions.
Treves asserts that the sulfur-enriched springs represent aunique environment for microbial colonization. “Although thesprings have been valued for over 150 years, there are littledata available on the chemistry of the springs,” he said. “Whilehot springs such as those in Yellowstone National Park have undergoneintensive microbiological investigations, few studies of mesothermicsulfur-enriched mineral springs are available.”
In addition to understanding the microbiology of southern Indianasprings, Treves and Duke are investigating the impact of recenturbanization on the spring environment. Treves said that tourismin southern Indiana has resulted in an influx of casinos andgolf courses to the area.
“This increased urbanization combined with agricultural run-offmay impact the spring environment,” Treves said. “Since bacterialpopulations are often useful indicators of environmental quality,our studies may provide insight into human impacts on the springs.”
The scholarly significance, Treves said, is another importantaspect of the research. “Characterizing the microbial life insprings in the area will provide a unique insight into the diversemetabolic strategies microbes use to colonize novel environments,” hesaid, adding that the work “may even reveal new microbial species.”
Duke, who has completed several biology and chemistry courses,has been working on the project over a year, first as a volunteerand then as a paid undergraduate researcher. Treves said Dukeis trained in all the methods used for the research and has madesignificant progress toward goals set-forth within the project.
Currently, Duke acts independently in the lab and manages thetasks for the project. She is also involved in all experimentaldesign decisions and data analysis, which, Treves said, can onlystrengthen her chances of admittance to a top-notch graduateschool.
Both Treves and Duke presented their latest findings, titled “Bacterialdiversity of a mesothermic, sulfur-enriched mineral spring insouthern Indiana ,” July 26, at the 2005 joint meeting of theInternational Union of Microbiological Societies.
