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Dr Laura Newsome

Dr Laura Newsome

Lecturer in Geomicrobiology

 01326 259018

 Environment and Sustainability Institute ESI 02.02

 

Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK

Overview

I am a geomicrobiologist interested in understanding the behaviour of contaminants and metals in the environment, and how microorganisms can be used for bioremediation and bioprocessing applications. My research is interdisciplinary and incorporates microbiology, mineralogy and geochemistry to develop new insights into biogeochemical metal cycling in natural and engineered environments.

My research interests range from the nanoscale to the field scale. I use cutting edge microscopy and spectroscopy techniques to investigate the mechanisms by which microorganisms interact with metals and minerals. I work with samples that are naturally rich in metals and samples from metal-impacted environments, characterising their microbial communities and investigating how microbial processes can mobilise, redistribute and sequester metals. I’m also interested in exploring how we can use microorganisms to help recover metals from ore deposits.

I am a member of the Environment & Sustainability Institute and the Camborne School of Mines in the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences.

Qualifications

2015 PhD Geomicrobiology & biogeochemistry (University of Manchester, UK)

2005 MGeol Environmental geology (University of Leeds, UK)

Career

2017 – 2018 Research fellow, University of Manchester

2015 – 2017 Research associate, University of Manchester

2009 – 2011 Radioactive substances & chemicals scientist, Environment Agency

2008 – 2009 Environmental consultant, WYG

2005 – 2008 Environmental consultant, URS

Links

Research

Research interests

  • Bioremediation of contaminated groundwater
  • Characterisation of the mechanisms by which microbes interact with metals and minerals
  • Development of new biological techniques to process ores and mine wastes

Research projects

Understanding the geomicrobiology of UK groundwater and its impact on geoenergy

Geothermal energy is a low carbon energy source, not only is it beneficial for limiting climate change, it also enhances energy security. Microbes are present in most subsurface environments and microbial metabolism influences the environmental conditions via biogeochemical cycling of metals, sulfur, carbon and nitrogen. However, little is known about the effect of geothermal energy production on microbial communities, nor on how microbial processes might impact on the performance of geothermal systems. This research project will study how subsurface microbial communities respond to drilling, as well as addressing fundamental questions regarding the influence of geology and hydrogeology on microbial communities. More information about the UKGEOS programme: https://www.ukgeos.ac.uk/

Does microbial community functioning control the success of mine waste rehabilitation?

Waste materials abandoned from historic metal mines sometimes hundreds of years old are polluting our environment today.  Toxic metals are eroded from mine waste by wind and water then transported into the environment as dust or washed into rivers and estuaries.  Plants can be grown on mine waste to minimise this erosion, but we don’t fully understand why in some cases plants thrive, but in other cases their growth suffers. In all soils microorganisms play a crucial role in providing the essential elements that plants need to grow. This project will investigate how soil microorganisms help plants to grow in wastes at an abandoned metal mine site, and whether microbial activity might help to protect the plants from the impact of toxic metals.

 

Publications

Key publications | Publications by category | Publications by year

Publications by category


Journal articles

Newsome L (In Press). Dissimilatory Fe(III) reduction controls on arsenic mobilisation: a combined biogeochemical and NanoSIMS imaging approach. Frontiers in Microbiology
Newsome L, Solano Arguedas A, Coker VS, Boothman C, Lloyd JR (In Press). Manganese and cobalt redox cycling in laterites; biogeochemical and bioprocessing implications. Chemical Geology
Newsome L (In Press). Natural attenuation of lead by microbial manganese oxides in a karst aquifer. Science of the Total Environment
Newsome L, Falagan C (In Press). The microbiology of metal mine waste: bioremediation applications and implications for planetary health. GeoHealth
Proto M, Newsome L, Jensen E, Courtney R (2023). Geochemical analyses of metal(loid) fractions do not predict plant uptake behavior: Are plant bioassays better tools to predict mine rehabilitation success?. Sci Total Environ, 861 Abstract.  Author URL.
Lear L, Hesse E, Newsome L, Gaze W, Buckling A, Vos M (2023). The effect of metal remediation on the virulence and antimicrobial resistance of the opportunistic pathogen <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>. Evolutionary Applications, 16(7), 1377-1389. Abstract.
Goulet RR, Newsome L, Vandenhove H, Keum D-K, Horyna J, Kamboj S, Brown J, Johansen MP, Twining J, Wood MD, et al (2022). Best practices for predictions of radionuclide activity concentrations and total absorbed dose rates to freshwater organisms exposed to uranium mining/milling. J Environ Radioact, 244-245 Abstract.  Author URL.
Fitch V, Parbhakar‐fox A, Crane R, Newsome L (2022). Evolution of Sulfidic Legacy Mine Tailings: a Review of the Wheal Maid Site, UK. Minerals, 12(7). Abstract.
Dybowska A, Schofield PF, Newsome L, Herrington RJ, Mosselmans JFW, Kaulich B, Kazemian M, Araki T, Skiggs TJ, Kruger J, et al (2022). Evolution of the Piaui Laterite, Brazil: Mineralogical, Geochemical and Geomicrobiological Mechanisms for Cobalt and Nickel Enrichment. MINERALS, 12(10). Author URL.
Solano-Arguedas AF, Boothman C, Newsome L, Pattrick RAD, Arguedas-Quesada D, Robinson CH, Lloyd JR (2022). Geochemistry and microbiology of tropical serpentine soils in the Santa Elena Ophiolite, a landscape-biogeographical approach. Geochem Trans, 23(1). Abstract.  Author URL.
Buchanan DM, Newsome L, Lloyd JR, Kazemian M, Kaulich B, Araki T, Bagshaw H, Waters J, van der Laan G, N’Diaye A, et al (2022). Investigating Nanoscale Electron Transfer Processes at the Cell-Mineral Interface in Cobalt-Doped Ferrihydrite Using Geobacter sulfurreducens: a Multi-Technique Approach. Frontiers in Earth Science, 10
Monaghan AA, Bateson L, Boyce AJ, Burnside NM, Chambers R, de Rezende JR, Dunnet E, Everett PA, Gilfillan SMV, Jibrin MS, et al (2022). Time Zero for Net Zero: a Coal Mine Baseline for Decarbonising Heat. Earth Science, Systems and Society, 2 Abstract.
Cleary A, Lloyd JR, Newsome L, Shaw S, Boothman C, Boshoff G, Atherton N, Morris K (2019). Bioremediation of strontium and technetium contaminated groundwater using glycerol phosphate. Chemical Geology, 509, 213-222. Abstract.
Newsome L, Morris K, Cleary A, Masters-Waage NK, Boothman C, Joshi N, Atherton N, Lloyd JR (2019). The impact of iron nanoparticles on technetium-contaminated groundwater and sediment microbial communities. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 364, 134-142. Abstract.
Newsome L, Lopez Adams R, Downie HF, Moore KL, Lloyd JR (2018). NanoSIMS imaging of extracellular electron transport processes during microbial iron(III) reduction. FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 94(8).
Newsome L, Cleary A, Morris K, Lloyd JR (2017). Long-Term Immobilization of Technetium via Bioremediation with Slow-Release Substrates. Environmental Science & Technology, 51(3), 1595-1604.
Newsome L, Morris K, Trivedi D, Bewsher A, Lloyd JR (2015). Biostimulation by Glycerol Phosphate to Precipitate Recalcitrant Uranium(IV) Phosphate. Environmental Science and Technology, 49(18), 11070-11078. Abstract.
Newsome L, Morris K, Shaw S, Trivedi D, Lloyd JR (2015). The stability of microbially reduced U(IV); impact of residual electron donor and sediment ageing. Chemical Geology, 409, 125-135. Abstract.
Newsome L, Morris K, Lloyd JR (2015). Uranium biominerals precipitated by an environmental isolate of Serratia under anaerobic conditions. PLoS ONE, 10(7). Abstract.
Newsome L, Morris K, Trivedi D, Atherton N, Lloyd JR (2014). Microbial reduction of uranium(VI) in sediments of different lithologies collected from Sellafield. Applied Geochemistry, 51, 55-64. Abstract.
Newsome L, Morris K, Lloyd JR (2014). The biogeochemistry and bioremediation of uranium and other priority radionuclides. Chemical Geology, 363, 164-184. Abstract.
Vives i Batlle J, Beaugelin-Seiller K, Beresford NA, Copplestone D, Horyna J, Hosseini A, Johansen M, Kamboj S, Keum D-K, Kurosawa N, et al (2011). The estimation of absorbed dose rates for non-human biota: an extended intercomparison. Radiat Environ Biophys, 50(2), 231-251. Abstract.  Author URL.
Newsome L (2010). Selecting suitable materials to avoid radioiodine contamination. J Radiol Prot, 30(4), 813-815. Author URL.

Conferences

Buchanan DM, Lloyd J, Coker V, Kaulich B, Newsome L, van der Laan G (2021). Investigating nanoscale electron transfer processes at the cell mineral interface in Co doped ferrihydrite using Geobacter sulfurreducens and a multi-technique approach. Goldschmidt2021 abstracts.
Buchanan D, Lloyd JR, Kaulich B, Newsome L, Mulroy D, Van der Lann G, N'Diaye A, Coker V (2020). SXM Analysis of Nanoscale Electron Transfer Processes at the Cell-Mineral Interface in Co-bearing Fe/Mn Minerals. Goldschmidt Abstracts.
Newsome L, Solano Arguedas A, Lloyd JR (2020). The Role of Redox Buffering by Electron Donors in Mediating the Behaviour of Metals in Sediments Under Aerobic Conditions. Goldschmidt Abstracts.
Real A, Horemans N, Newsome L, Oudalova A, Stark K, Willrodt C, Yoshida S, Hinton T (2011). Frederica effects database update within the EMRAS-II programme: Contributing to evaluate the environmental impact of ionizing radiation.  Abstract.
Stocki TJ, Telleria DM, Bergman L, Proehl G, Amado V, Bonchuk I, Boyer P, Chyly P, Curti A, Heling R, et al (2011). Reference methodologies for radioactive controlled discharges an activity within the IAEA's program environmental modelling for radiation safety II (EMRAS II).  Abstract.

Publications by year


In Press

Newsome L (In Press). Dissimilatory Fe(III) reduction controls on arsenic mobilisation: a combined biogeochemical and NanoSIMS imaging approach. Frontiers in Microbiology
Newsome L, Solano Arguedas A, Coker VS, Boothman C, Lloyd JR (In Press). Manganese and cobalt redox cycling in laterites; biogeochemical and bioprocessing implications. Chemical Geology
Newsome L (In Press). Natural attenuation of lead by microbial manganese oxides in a karst aquifer. Science of the Total Environment
Lear L, Hesse E, Newsome L, Gaze W, Buckling A, Vos M (In Press). The effect of metal remediation on the virulence and antimicrobial resistance of the opportunistic pathogen <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>.  Abstract.
Newsome L, Falagan C (In Press). The microbiology of metal mine waste: bioremediation applications and implications for planetary health. GeoHealth

2023

Proto M, Newsome L, Jensen E, Courtney R (2023). Geochemical analyses of metal(loid) fractions do not predict plant uptake behavior: Are plant bioassays better tools to predict mine rehabilitation success?. Sci Total Environ, 861 Abstract.  Author URL.
Lear L, Hesse E, Newsome L, Gaze W, Buckling A, Vos M (2023). The effect of metal remediation on the virulence and antimicrobial resistance of the opportunistic pathogen <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>. Evolutionary Applications, 16(7), 1377-1389. Abstract.

2022

Goulet RR, Newsome L, Vandenhove H, Keum D-K, Horyna J, Kamboj S, Brown J, Johansen MP, Twining J, Wood MD, et al (2022). Best practices for predictions of radionuclide activity concentrations and total absorbed dose rates to freshwater organisms exposed to uranium mining/milling. J Environ Radioact, 244-245 Abstract.  Author URL.
Fitch V, Parbhakar‐fox A, Crane R, Newsome L (2022). Evolution of Sulfidic Legacy Mine Tailings: a Review of the Wheal Maid Site, UK. Minerals, 12(7). Abstract.
Dybowska A, Schofield PF, Newsome L, Herrington RJ, Mosselmans JFW, Kaulich B, Kazemian M, Araki T, Skiggs TJ, Kruger J, et al (2022). Evolution of the Piaui Laterite, Brazil: Mineralogical, Geochemical and Geomicrobiological Mechanisms for Cobalt and Nickel Enrichment. MINERALS, 12(10). Author URL.
Courtney R, Proto M, Newsome L, Jensen E (2022). Geochemical Analyses of Heavy Metal Fractions Do Not Predict Plant Uptake Behaviour: Are Plant Bioassays Better Tools to Predict Mine Rehabilitation Success?.
Solano-Arguedas AF, Boothman C, Newsome L, Pattrick RAD, Arguedas-Quesada D, Robinson CH, Lloyd JR (2022). Geochemistry and microbiology of tropical serpentine soils in the Santa Elena Ophiolite, a landscape-biogeographical approach. Geochem Trans, 23(1). Abstract.  Author URL.
Buchanan DM, Newsome L, Lloyd JR, Kazemian M, Kaulich B, Araki T, Bagshaw H, Waters J, van der Laan G, N’Diaye A, et al (2022). Investigating Nanoscale Electron Transfer Processes at the Cell-Mineral Interface in Cobalt-Doped Ferrihydrite Using Geobacter sulfurreducens: a Multi-Technique Approach. Frontiers in Earth Science, 10
Monaghan AA, Bateson L, Boyce AJ, Burnside NM, Chambers R, de Rezende JR, Dunnet E, Everett PA, Gilfillan SMV, Jibrin MS, et al (2022). Time Zero for Net Zero: a Coal Mine Baseline for Decarbonising Heat. Earth Science, Systems and Society, 2 Abstract.

2021

Buchanan DM, Lloyd J, Coker V, Kaulich B, Newsome L, van der Laan G (2021). Investigating nanoscale electron transfer processes at the cell mineral interface in Co doped ferrihydrite using Geobacter sulfurreducens and a multi-technique approach. Goldschmidt2021 abstracts.

2020

Buchanan D, Lloyd JR, Kaulich B, Newsome L, Mulroy D, Van der Lann G, N'Diaye A, Coker V (2020). SXM Analysis of Nanoscale Electron Transfer Processes at the Cell-Mineral Interface in Co-bearing Fe/Mn Minerals. Goldschmidt Abstracts.
Newsome L, Solano Arguedas A, Lloyd JR (2020). The Role of Redox Buffering by Electron Donors in Mediating the Behaviour of Metals in Sediments Under Aerobic Conditions. Goldschmidt Abstracts.

2019

Cleary A, Lloyd JR, Newsome L, Shaw S, Boothman C, Boshoff G, Atherton N, Morris K (2019). Bioremediation of strontium and technetium contaminated groundwater using glycerol phosphate. Chemical Geology, 509, 213-222. Abstract.
Newsome L, Morris K, Cleary A, Masters-Waage NK, Boothman C, Joshi N, Atherton N, Lloyd JR (2019). The impact of iron nanoparticles on technetium-contaminated groundwater and sediment microbial communities. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 364, 134-142. Abstract.

2018

Newsome L, Lopez Adams R, Downie HF, Moore KL, Lloyd JR (2018). NanoSIMS imaging of extracellular electron transport processes during microbial iron(III) reduction. FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 94(8).

2017

Newsome L, Cleary A, Morris K, Lloyd JR (2017). Long-Term Immobilization of Technetium via Bioremediation with Slow-Release Substrates. Environmental Science & Technology, 51(3), 1595-1604.

2015

Newsome L, Morris K, Trivedi D, Bewsher A, Lloyd JR (2015). Biostimulation by Glycerol Phosphate to Precipitate Recalcitrant Uranium(IV) Phosphate. Environmental Science and Technology, 49(18), 11070-11078. Abstract.
Newsome L, Morris K, Shaw S, Trivedi D, Lloyd JR (2015). The stability of microbially reduced U(IV); impact of residual electron donor and sediment ageing. Chemical Geology, 409, 125-135. Abstract.
Newsome L, Morris K, Lloyd JR (2015). Uranium biominerals precipitated by an environmental isolate of Serratia under anaerobic conditions. PLoS ONE, 10(7). Abstract.

2014

Newsome L, Morris K, Trivedi D, Atherton N, Lloyd JR (2014). Microbial reduction of uranium(VI) in sediments of different lithologies collected from Sellafield. Applied Geochemistry, 51, 55-64. Abstract.
Newsome L, Morris K, Lloyd JR (2014). The biogeochemistry and bioremediation of uranium and other priority radionuclides. Chemical Geology, 363, 164-184. Abstract.

2011

Real A, Horemans N, Newsome L, Oudalova A, Stark K, Willrodt C, Yoshida S, Hinton T (2011). Frederica effects database update within the EMRAS-II programme: Contributing to evaluate the environmental impact of ionizing radiation.  Abstract.
Stocki TJ, Telleria DM, Bergman L, Proehl G, Amado V, Bonchuk I, Boyer P, Chyly P, Curti A, Heling R, et al (2011). Reference methodologies for radioactive controlled discharges an activity within the IAEA's program environmental modelling for radiation safety II (EMRAS II).  Abstract.
Vives i Batlle J, Beaugelin-Seiller K, Beresford NA, Copplestone D, Horyna J, Hosseini A, Johansen M, Kamboj S, Keum D-K, Kurosawa N, et al (2011). The estimation of absorbed dose rates for non-human biota: an extended intercomparison. Radiat Environ Biophys, 50(2), 231-251. Abstract.  Author URL.

2010

Newsome L (2010). Selecting suitable materials to avoid radioiodine contamination. J Radiol Prot, 30(4), 813-815. Author URL.

LauraNewsome Details from cache as at 2023-10-01 23:25:48

Refresh publications

External Engagement and Impact

Committee / panel membership

  • Royal Society of Chemistry Environmental Chemistry Group - committee member and web editor (https://www.envchemgroup.com/)
  • Mineralogical Society of UK and Ireland Environmental Mineralogy Group - committee member and early career representative (https://www.minersoc.org/emg.html)
  • PhD committee/examiner: Isobel Stanton, University of Exeter, 2019, internal examiner; Matthew Kirby, Imperial College London, 2019, external examiner

Outreach

  • 'Life at the Extremes' at Bluedot festival, Jodrell Bank, Cheshire, 2017 & 2018
  • 'Cobalt is Critical' at Science Uncovered, Natural History Museum, Tring, 2017
  • 'Making Microbes Work for Us' public lectures, Manchester, 2016 & 2017
  • 'Alienated Life' at Manchester Science Festival, Manchester, 2015 & 2016
  • 'How to Build a Nuclear Repository' at Science Uncovered, Manchester Museum, Manchester, 2015

Conference organisation

  • Session on 'Minerals and Our Living World; Biogeochemical Cycles, Environmental Challenges and the Origin of Life', European Mineralogical Conference: emc2020, Krakow, 2021
  • ‘Minerals in a Sustainable Future’, British Geological Survey, 2019
  • 'Clay Minerals in the Natural and Built Environment: Formation, Chemistry & Applications’, Newcastle University, 2019
  • ‘21st Century Chemistry: Disposing our Nuclear Legacy’, Royal Society of Chemistry, 2019
  • ‘The Geochemistry and Mineralogy of Contaminated Environments’, Royal Society of Chemistry, 2018
  • Session on ‘The Geochemistry of Metal Deposits’ at the Goldschmidt Conference, Paris, 2017

Editorial responsibilities

  • Guest editor for Frontiers in Earth Sciences special issue

Professional body memberships

  • Royal Society of Chemistry
  • Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland
  • Microbiological Society
  • British Ecological Society

Teaching

I teach/have taught on the following modules

Year 1

  • CSM1031 - Earth & Environmental Chemistry
  • BIO1425 - Microbes

Year 2

  • CSM2184 - Geological Mapping Techniques

Year 3

  • CMS3039 - Safety & Sustainable Development
  • CSM3042 - Industrial Placement & Project
  • CSM3049 - Contaminated Land Management & Remediation (module lead)
  • CSM3379 - Summer Vacation Project (research projects)

Year 4

  • CSMM441 - Mine Waste Characterisation, Prediction and Treatment
  • CSMM047 - Project and Dissertation (research projects)

I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Supervision / Group

Postgraduate researchers

  • Jody Grassby

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