Biogeology

Biogeology is the study of the interactions between the Earth's biosphere and the lithosphere.Cite web|url=http://www.darwincenter.nl/|title=Darwin Center for Biogeology|accessyear=2007|accessmonthday=September 16|publisher=Darwin Center for Biogeology|year=2007|author=Darwin Center for Biogeology]

Biogeology examines biotic, hydrologic, and terrestrial systems in relation to each other, to help understand the Earth's climate, oceans, and other effects on geologic systems.Cite web|url=http://www.geol.ucsb.edu/Research/TopicsInfo/Biogeology.html|title=Biogeology research at UCSB|accessyear=2007|accessmonthday=September 16|publisher=UCSB Geology|year=2007|author=UCSB Geology]

For example, bacteria are responsible for the formation of some minerals such as pyrite, and can concentrate economically important metals such as tin and uranium. Bacteria are also responsible for the chemical composition of the atmosphere, which affects weathering rates of rocks.

Prior to the late Devonian period, there was little plant life beyond lichens, and bryophytes. At this time large vascular plants evolved, growing up to m to ft in|30 in height. These large plants changed the atmosphere, and altered the composition of the soil by increasing the amount of organic carbon. This helped prevent the soil being washed away through erosion.

One of the most famous Biogeologists in the United States was Dr. Preston Cloud, a professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Cloud received a research grant from NASA to examine the lunar rocks returned from the Apollo missions.Cite web|url=http://www.dailynexus.com/article.php?a=3510|title=Moon Rocks at UCSB|accessyear=2007|accessmonthday=September 16|publisher=University of California, Santa Barbara|year=2002|author=Stephanie Tavares]

ee also

*Pedology

References

External links

* [http://www.paleo.pan.pl/biogeo.htm Biogeology department at the Institute of Paleobiology] .