These are very industrious and hardy little creatures. Bacteria are like little chemical factories, causing chemical reactions to happen. Kemner is interested in bacteria's role in transporting heavy metals in contaminated soil. With the constant refinements being made in the APS X-ray beam, Kemner and his colleagues are able to focus on smaller and smaller samples. It encourages you to ask questions you never asked before.
Environmental science is complex.
To foster more synchrotron radiation environmental studies , Argonne, the University of Notre Dame and Michigan State University sponsored a conference in 1999. Held at Argonne, the conference opened dialog between experienced synchrotron scientists and environmental researchers who now use traditional experimental methods. The conference provided tutorials in synchrotron science and biological, chemical and geological environmental sciences. Many new collaborations were formed. This environmental study at the APS was funded by the Department of Energy's Office of Energy Research, Office of Basic Energy Sciences and Office of Biological and Environmental Research, as well as the Center for Environmental Studies and Technology at the University of Notre Dame, and by Argonne's Laboratory Directed Research and Development Program.