Ingunn Hindenes Thorseth

Position

Emerita, Professor

Affiliation

Research

Research interests

  • Water-rock-microbe interactions
  • Subsurface biosphere
  • Microbial biomineralisation, fossilization and biosignatures

My principal research interest is geomicrobiology/geochemistry. The most important result from my early work is evidence for microbial life in the ocean crust by various textural, chemical and biomolecular biosignatures. Other early research topics were weathering effects and biomineralisation of lichens, and associated microbial communities.

The last 15 years my research has primarily been related to the discovery and exploration of deep-sea hydrothermal vents and mineral deposits at the slow-spreading Arctic Mid-Ocean Ridges, and to associated deep-sea sediments. Research topics related to these environments are: the role of microbial activity and biomineralisation for the formation and charateristics of low-temperature hydrothermal mineral deposits (iron-hydroxides, barite); microbial activity and biogeochemical cycing during early diagenesis; and identification of biosignatures suitable for documentation of processes in ancient rocks. Other related research topics are input of hydrothermal volatiles and trace elements to the water column; weathering of deep-sea hydrothermal sulphide deposits and submarine mine tailings and associated environmental concequenses; and serpentinization of ultramafic rocks and associated microbial life.

Electron microscopy combined with various (bio)geochemical and biomolecular analyses of solids and fluids are essential methods in the research.

Teaching

GEOV109: Introduction to geochemistry

GEOV245: Geomicrobiology

Publications
Conference poster
Conference lecture
Research report
Academic article
Conference abstract
Academic book chapter
Doctoral thesis (PhD)
Master’s thesis
Book anthology
Letter to the editor
Lecture
Popular science article
Academic literature review
Media interview

See a complete overview of publications in Cristin.