Prof Liane Benning

Professor of Experimental Biogeochemistry

Contact details

Telephone extension: 35220

Email address: l.benning@see.leeds.ac.uk

Room: 9.163

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Research and biography

Research

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

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

Experimental techniques used include low temperature to hydrothermal autoclaves and reactors, conventional and high resolution microscopy and spectroscopy (HR-SEM.TEM, SAED, EELS), laser dynamic light scattering (DLS), Vertical Scanning Interferometry (VSI) as well as biochemical techniques that help elucidate the community diversity and function in mixed mineral-biofilm systems. All these are naturally complemented by the usual aqueous analyses of anions, cations etc.and lead to information on reaction pathways and quantification of mechanisms in a series of geological settings. In addition, a large part of the work is focused on the use of synchrotron based techniques to elucidate molecular level reaction mechanisms and the development of in situ and realtime techniques to quantify reactions as they occur in solution (e.g., SAXS, hard and soft-XAS, FTIR, and ED-XRD). Field areas include Iceland, New Zealand and the Norwegian Arctic.

Biography:

BSc: University of Kiel, Germany; marine geology, metamorphic petrology
MSc: Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zuerich, Switzerland; metamorphic petrology, geochemistry
PhD: Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zuerich, Switzerland; aqueous geochemistry

Publications

Ahmed, IA; 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, . doi:10.1021/la903935j

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(5), pp455-465. doi:10.1089/ast.2008.0275

Matamoros, A; Benning, L G (Submitted) Analysis of selenium: A new, simple and reliable spectrophotometric method, Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research, .

Monteiro, S P M; Bonneville, S; Law, N; Cavet, J S; Benning, L G; Lloyd, J R (Submitted) Biosynthesis of silver and gold nanoparticles by a Micrococcus sp. bacterium isolated from a shallow hydrothermal sediment, FEMS Microbiology Letters, .

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(5), pp1727-1733. doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2008.09.041

Staniland, S; Moisescu, C; Benning, L G (Submitted) Cell division in magnetotactic bacteria splits magnetosome chains, Microbiology, .

Shi, Z; Krom, M; Bonneville, S; Baker, A; Jickells, T; Benning, L (2009) Formation of Iron Nanoparticles and Increase in Iron Reactivity in Mineral Dust during Simulated Cloud Processing, Environmental Science and Technology, 43(17), pp6592-6596. doi:10.1021/es901294g

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(17), pp6592-6596. doi:10.1021/es901294g

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(7), pp615-618. doi:10.1130/G25699A.1

Roncal-Herrero, T; Rodriquez-Blanco, J D; Benning, L G; Oelkers, E H (Submitted) 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, . doi:10.1021/cg900654m

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(18), pp5377-5393. doi:10.1016/j.gca.2009.06.002

Younse, PJ; Stroupe, A; Huntsberger, T; Garrett, M; Eigenbrode, JL; Benning, LG; Fogel, ML; Steele, A; AMASE, 2008 (2009) Sample Acquisition and Caching using Detachable Scoops for Mars Sample Return, Aerospace conference, 2009 IEEE, pp1-12. 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(5), pp431-434. doi:10.1130/G25350A.1

Vu, H P; Shaw, S; Brinza, L; Benning, L G (Submitted) The crystallization of hematite (alpha-Fe2O3) under alkaline condition: the effects of Pb, Crystal Growth and Design, .

Ahmed, I A M; Benning, L G; Kakonyi, G; Sumoondur, A; Terril, N; Shaw, S (Submitted) The formation of green rust sulfate: situ and time-resolved scattering and electrochemistry, Langmuir, .

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(1), pp283-286. doi:10.1180/minmag.2008.072.1.283

Tobler, DJ; Stefansson, A; Benning, LG (2008) In-situ grown silica sinters in Icelandic geothermal areas, GEOBIOLOGY, 6(5), pp481-502. doi:10.1111/j.1472-4669.2008.00179.x

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(8), pp2172-2178. doi:10.1111/j.1462-2920.2008.01620.x

Stibal, M; Tranter, M; Telling, J; Benning, LG (2008) Speciation, phase association and potential bioavailability of phosphorus on a Svalbard glacier, BIOGEOCHEMISTRY, 90(1), pp1-13. doi:10.1007/s10533-008-9226-3

Davidson, LE; Shaw, S; Benning, LG (2008) The kinetics and mechanisms of schwertmannite transformation to goethite and hematite under alkaline conditions, AM MINERAL, 93(8-9), pp1326-1337. doi:10.2138/am.2008.2761

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, Liane G.; Waychunas, Glen (2007) Nucleation, growth, and aggregation of mineral phases: Mechanisms and kinetic controls, In: Susan Brantley, James Kubicki, Art White (Ed) Kinetics of Water-rock Interaction, Springer, pp259-335.

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

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, pp71-92.

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(11), pp2765-2780. doi:10.1016/j.gca.2005.12.027

Villar, SEJ; Edwards, HGM; Benning, LG (2006) Raman spectroscopic and scanning electron microscopic analysis of a novel biological colonisation of volcanic rocks, ICARUS, 184(1), pp158-169. 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(1), pp92-96. doi:10.2138/am.2006.1860

Benning, LG; Phoenix, V; Mountain, BW (2005) Biosilicification: the role of cyanobacteria in silica sinter deposition, In: Gadd, G.M., Semple, K.T. and Lappin-Scott, H.M. (Ed) Micro-organisms and earth systems: advances in geomicrobiology, Society for General Microbiology Symposium, Cambridge University Press, pp131-150.

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(2), pp140-150.

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(22-23), pp3041-3053. doi:10.1016/j.dsr2.2005.08.014

Pancost, RD; Pressley, S; Coleman, JM; Benning, LG; Mountain, BW (2005) Lipid biomolecules in silica sinters: indicators of microbial biodiversity, ENVIRON MICROBIOL, 7(1), pp66-77. doi:10.1111/j.1462-2920.2004.00686.x

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(3), pp775-782.

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, pp1145-1148.

Benning, LG; Phoenix, VR; Yee, N; Tobin, MJ (2004) Molecular characterization of cyanobacterial silicification using synchrotron infrared micro-spectroscopy, GEOCHIM COSMOCHIM AC, 68(4), pp729-741. doi:10.1016/S0016-7037(03)00489-7

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, pp1235-1238.

Yee, N; Benning, LG; Konhauser, KO (2004) Silica colloid aggregation by cyanobacteria: a microbial silicification mechanism, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 68(11), .

Benning, LG; Phoenix, V; Yee, N; Konhauser, KO (2004) The dynamics of cyanobacterial silicification: an infrared micro-spectroscopic investigation, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 68(4), pp743-757. doi:10.1016/S0016-7037(03)00488-5

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, pp3-10.

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(11), pp1643-1667. doi:10.1139/E03-068

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(3-4), pp141-162. doi:10.1016/S0009-2541(03)00033-0

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(9), pp1325-1345. 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(1-2), pp83-90. doi:10.1016/S0009-2541(03)00120-7

Benning, LG (2002) Arsenic sulphides: nucleation and growth from aqueous solution, Geochemistry of the Earth's Surface, 6, pp94-98.

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, pp276-282.

Yee, N; Benning, LG (2002) In situ FTIR study of protonation reactions at the bacteria-water interface, GEOCHIM COSMOCHIM AC, 66(15A), ppA862-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, pp259-263.

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(4), pp841-860.

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, pp157-160.

Pitcairn, I; Banks, DA; Benning, LG; Shinohara, H; Goff, F (2001) delta 37Cl and Cl/Br systematics of volcanic gases, Water-Rock Interaction, 10, pp903-906.

Benning, LG (2001) Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta(Editorship), Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, .

Konhauser, KO; Phoenix, VR; Benning, LG (2001) How do microorganisms silicify?, WATER-ROCK INTERACTION, VOLS 1 AND 2, pp1449-1452.

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, pp53-63.

Benning, LG; Wilkin, RT; Barnes, HL (2000) Reaction pathways in the Fe-S system below 100°C, Chemical Geology, 167, pp25-51.

Benning, LG; Wilkin, RT; Barnes, HL (2000) Solubility and stability of zeolites in aqueous solution: II. Calcic clinoptilolite and mordenite, American Mineralogist, 85, pp495-508.

Benning, LG; Wilkin, RT; Konhauser, KO (1999) Iron monosulphide stability: experiments with sulphate reducing bacteria, Geochemistry of the Earth Surface, 5, pp429-432.

Benning, Liane G.; Barnes, H.L. (1998) In situ determination of the stability of iron monosulphides and kinetics of pyrite formation., Mineralogical Magazine, 62A, pp115-152.

Cahill, C.L; Benning, Liane G.; Norby, P.; Clark, S. P; Schoonen, M.A.A; parise, J.B (1998) In situ X-ray diffraction apparatus and its application to hydrothermal reactions of iron sulfide growth and phase transformations., Mineralogical Magazine, 62A, pp267-268.

Wyss, M.; Hermann, J.; Muntener, O.; Benning, L.G. (1998) Polyphase, Structural, Intrusive and Metamorphic Evolution of the Bockfjorden area, NW Spitsbergen., Schweizerische Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen, 78, pp87-106.

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(11), pp1849-1871.

Benning, LG; Seward, TM (1995) AuHS° - An important gold-transporting complex in high temperature hydrosulphide solutions, Water Rock Interaction, 8, pp783-786.

Benning, Liane G.; Seward, T. M (1995) Hydrosulphide complexes of gold(I) at high temperatures and pressures: equilibrium and kinetic problems., Mineralogical Magazine, 58A, pp75-76.

Benning, Liane G.; Sidler, Daniela M (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, pp213-224.

Sidler, Daniela M; Benning, Liane G. (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, pp57-68.

Benning, Liane G. (1) Geochemical Transaction (Associate Editor), Geochemical Transactions, .

Benning, LG (1) Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta (Associate Editor), Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, .

Smits, M M; Herrmann, A M; Duane, M; Duckworth, O; Bonneville, S; Benning, L G; Lundstrom, U (Submitted) The fungal-mineral interface: Challenges and considerations of micro-analytical developments, Fungal Biology Reviews, .