MICROBIAL ECOLOGY, BIOREMEDIATION AND BIOGEOCHEMISTRY
HENRY G. SPRATT, PH.D.
With a Ph.D. in Microbiology, my graduate training focused on the field of biogeochemistry, studying microbes in different environments. I have been most interested in the prokaryotic biology of soils in either wetlands or temperate forests. I have directed one long-term (10 years) study of carbon and sulfur cycling in soils of Missouri Ozark forests subjected to timber clear cutting. Another human disturbance I have studied in detail is the impact of sulfur deposition (via acid precipitation) into freshwater wetlands, and the role that sulfate reducing bacteria in those wetlands might play in maintaining the pH balance of local streams. I also have experience studying marine wetlands relative to microbial manganese oxidation. Recently, my students and I have conducted research on the use of bacterial batteries in the degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and organic matter associated with raw sewage. I am increasingly focusing my research on potential energy sources related to microbial activities, or the use of microbes to remediate problems associated with energy generation, and look forward to working with new students on additional studies in these areas.
Recent Grants and Contracts:
2009-10 Acquisition of a laser confocal microscope for research and teaching purposes. National Science Foundation, Major ResearchInstrumentation Program. (Co-PI with E. Carver, S. Chatzimanolis, J. Kim, C. Nelson)
2009-10 University of Tennessee at Chattanooga collaborative Projects for the NBII SAIN Node. U.S. Geological Survey. (Co-PI with J. Shaw, S. Smullen, T. Wilson, and A. Carroll).
2009 A comparison of biodiversity of three groups of anaerobic bacteria in sediments of local wetlands having different histories of contamination. UC Foundation, Faculty Research Grants.
2008-09 University of Tennessee at Chattanooga collaborative Projects for the NBII SAIN Node. U.S. Geological Survey. (Co-PI with J. Shaw)
2008-09 Acquisition of a Microarray Scanner and Real-Time PCR System for Interdisciplinary Research and Teaching in an Undergraduate College Setting. National Science Foundation, Major ResearchInstrumentation Program. (Co-PI with M. J. Kovach, E. A. Carver, J. Kim, and J. Barbosa)
2007-08 University of Tennessee at Chattanooga collaborative Projects for the NBII SAIN Node. U.S. Geological Survey. (Co-PI with J. Shaw)
2006-07 Comparative genetic analysis of contaminated Chattanooga Creek soils to determine the effect of prior exposure on soil microbial community structure. UC Foundation, Faculty Research Grants.
2006-07 Characterization of physical, microbial, and biogeochemical processes occurring in established TVA constructed wetlands treating acid coal ash drainage. Tennessee Valley Authority.
2006-07 Research Projects for the Southern Appalachian Information Node of the National Biological Information Infrastructure program. U.S. Geological Survey. (Co-PI with G. Litchford, D. Aborn, and J. Shaw)
2005-06 Research Projects for the Southern Appalachian Information Node of the National Biological Information Infrastructure program. U.S. Geological Survey. (Co-PI with M. Schorr, G. Litchford, D. Aborn, and T. Wilson)Recent Grants and Contract
2003. Scientific investigations in the GLOBE program: Year two. TN Higher Edu. Commission, Title II, The Improving Teacher Quality Grant Program (Co-PI with D. M. Ford)
2003-04. Matching funds to support microbiological component of Chattanooga Creek monitoring and evaluation study. Univ. of Chattanooga Foundation.
2000-01. Carbon and sulfur transformations in Missouri Ozark Forest Ecosystem Project (MOFEP) surface soils: Post harvest conditions. Missouri Department of Conservation.
2000-01. Equipment grant proposal for an anaerobic chamber. With E. A. Guthrie. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, CSRS, Nat. Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program, Equipment Grants.
2000-01. Microbial biodegradation of small-scale oil spills. Phase I - continued. BioSweep Technologies, Inc., Chattanooga, TN.
1999-01. Pesticide fate and removal in constructed wetlands. With G. K. Stearman, L. J. Weathers, and D. B. George (all at Ten. Tech. University). U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, CSRS, Nat. Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program,Water Resources Assessment and Protection Program.
1999-00. Microbial biodegradation of small-scale oil spills. Phase I. Bugz, Inc., Chattanooga, TN.
1997-99. Significance of different sources of organic sulfur to forest surface soils. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, CSRS, Nat. Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program, Strengthening Awards.
1997-99. Monitoring fecal coliforms in stormwater discharge as part of the ambient monitoring program required in the NPDES permit (Chattanooga, TN). City of Chattanooga, Stormwater Management Division.
1997-98. Carbon and sulfur transformations in Missouri Ozark Forest Ecosystem Project (MOFEP) surface soils: Year one post harvest. Missouri Department of Conservation.
Sample Publications
Spratt, H. G., Jr. 2002. The impact of timber harvest on surface soil microbial community activity in clear-cut Missouri Ozark Forest Ecosystem Project plots. p196-211. In S. R. Shifley and J. Kabrick (eds), Proceedings of the Missouri Ozark Forest Ecosystem Project Symposium, Natural Areas Association Conference, St. Louis, MO. Gen. Tech. Rep. GTR NC-227. St. Paul, MN: U. S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station.
Spratt, H. G., Jr. 1998. Organic sulfur and the retention of nutrient cations in forest surface soils. Wat. Air Soil Pol. 105:305-317.
Spratt, H. G., Jr. 1997. Aspects of carbon and sulfur transformations in MOFEP surface soils: Pretreatment conditions. pp. 69-105. In B. L. Brookshire and S. R. Shifley (eds), Proceedings of the Missouri Ozark Forest Ecosystem Project Symposium: An experimental approach to landscape research. St. Louis, MO. Gen. Tech. Rep. GTR NC-193. St. Paul, MN: U. S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station.
Spratt, H. G., Jr. 1997. Microbial sulfur transformations in A-horizon soils of a Missouri Ozark forest managed for timber production by clear-cutting. Soil Biol. Biochem. 29:1639-1646.
Morgan, M. D., M. H. Diegmann, and H. G. Spratt, Jr. 1996. Fate of anthropogenic sulfur in a cedar-dominated wetland. In D. D. Adams, S. P. Seitzinger, and P. M. Crill (eds), Cycling of reduced gases in the hydrosphere. Mitt. Internat. Verein. Limnol. 25:125-135.
Spratt, H. G., Jr., E. C. Siekmann, and R. E. Hodson. 1994. Microbial manganese oxidation in salt marsh surface sediments using a leuco crystal violet manganese oxide detection technique. Est. Coast. Shelf. Sci. 38:91-112.
Spratt, H. G., Jr., and R. E. Hodson. 1994. The effect of changing water chemistry on rates of manganese oxidation in surface sediments of a temperate salt marsh and a tropical mangrove estuary. Est. Coast. Shelf. Sci. 38:119-135.
Morgan, M. D., L. Lynch, M. Diegmann, and H. G. Spratt, Jr. 1994. Hydrologic control of sulfur biogeochemistry in an acidic freshwater wetland. Verh. Internat. Berein. Limnol. 25:1311-1314.