South Bay, Fort Point, & The Roxbury Canal
Boston, MA

A CERCLA Petition and Clean Water Act Citizen Suit Notice was filed on Feb. 13 2026.

You can read it below. (DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18634019)

Read the blog post about the complaint here: I Filed a CERCLA Petition to Put the South Bay (Boston, MA) on the National Priorities List

Read about the findings: 
  • Gjovik, Ashley. “Identification of a New England Bolide Impact Site: A Geologic Reckoning with the Ground-Zero for the Younger Dryas Impact Event”. The Journal of Decolonized Ecology and Evolution 1, no. 1 (March 21, 2026). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19146482.
  • Gjovik, Ashley. “Living Organisms Morphologically Consistent with Gunflint Chert Microfossils (ca. 1.9 Ga) Recovered in South End, Boston, Massachusetts.”. The Journal of Decolonized Ecology & Evolution 1, no. 1 (March 18, 2026). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19086003.

Sign the Change.org petitions:
Petition/Notice PDF: 
south_bay_boston_environmental_complaint_gjovik_20260213.pdf
File Size: 6506 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
txt version: 
south_bay_boston_environmental_complaint_gjovik_20260213.txt
File Size: 652 kb
File Type: txt
Download File
Proof of Service: 
epa_cercla_south_bay_boston_cos_declaration_signed.pdf
File Size: 2729 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
SOUTH BAY RESEARCH NOTES & RESOURCES:

Resources

Dropbox folders with additional documents/records: 

Microscopes & supplies used: 
  • AmScope B120 Series LED Binocular Compound Microscope, 40X-2500X Magnification, 3MP Digital Camera and 3D Stage. 
  • Takmly Digital LED Microscope, 50x-1000x 2M HD Pixel, 178 ° Wide Angle, 8 Lights.
  • Slides & slip covers: McKesson, Karter Scientific, Amscope.
  • Calibration: 0.01mm Microscope Reticle Calibration Cross Stage Micrometer Calibrating Ruler.
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AmScope B120 Series Binocular Compound

Flickr albums with additional photos:

Conditions at the current Mouth of the Roxbury Canal (Dec. 2025)

On Dec. 30 2025, I visited the mouth of the Roxbury Canal where it flows out to Fort Point Channel. I was there and took photographs from 11:54 AM - 12:13 PM EST. Per NOAA Id. 8443970, on Dec. 30 2025, Low Tide was -0.02 around 1:06 PM and the High Tide was around 6:42 AM around 10.4 ft. The temp was 27.7  °F, wind blowing from the W/SW at 25 mph, 41% humidity, 29.46 "Hg, and 10 mi visibility. Per NWS, Boston received 0.39" of precipitation in the 24hrs prior to the site visit. 

I found the water to be covered in sheen, froth, filth, debris, and sludge. I found multiple examples of the canal being used as a landfill (shopping carts, wheelchairs, office chairs, etc.). The colors on the brick/stone banks reflect sludge at the lower tide level, green moss/algae at the higher tide level, and iron oxidation processes occurring at or above the high tide level. I noticed the water was moving from the canal mouth into the channel, indicating ongoing flow despite dry conditions. I also noticed at least one apparent storm water outlet near a sludge bank on the other side of the channel with a significant speed and volume of moving water, again despite dry conditions. 
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Dec. 30 2025 | Photo by Ashley Gjovik | Roxbury Canal / Fort Point Channel | Traveler St Bridge, Boston, MA 02127 (42.343615, -71.060516)
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Dec. 30 2025 | Photo by Ashley Gjovik | Roxbury Canal / Fort Point Channel | Traveler St Bridge, Boston, MA 02127 (42.343615, -71.060516)
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Dec. 30 2025 | Photo by Ashley Gjovik | Roxbury Canal / Fort Point Channel | S Bay Harbor Trail, Boston, MA 02127 (42.343444, -71.060892)
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Dec. 30 2025 | Photo by Ashley Gjovik | Roxbury Canal / Fort Point Channel | S Bay Harbor Trail, Boston, MA 02127 (42.343444, -71.060892)
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Dec. 30 2025 | Photo by Ashley Gjovik | Roxbury Canal / Fort Point Channel | S Bay Harbor Trail, Boston, MA 02127 (42.343444, -71.060892)
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Dec. 30 2025 | Photo by Ashley Gjovik | Roxbury Canal / Fort Point Channel | S Bay Harbor Trail, Boston, MA 02127 (42.343059, -71.061035)
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Dec. 30 2025 | Photo by Ashley Gjovik | Roxbury Canal / Fort Point Channel | Traveler St Bridge, Boston, MA 02127 (42.343615, -71.060516)
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Dec. 30 2025 | Photo by Ashley Gjovik | Roxbury Canal / Fort Point Channel | Traveler St Bridge, Boston, MA 02127 (42.343615, -71.060516)
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Dec. 30 2025 | Photo by Ashley Gjovik | Roxbury Canal / Fort Point Channel | S Bay Harbor Trail, Boston, MA 02127 (42.343444, -71.060892)
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Dec. 30 2025 | Photo by Ashley Gjovik | Roxbury Canal / Fort Point Channel | S Bay Harbor Trail, Boston, MA 02127 (42.343444, -71.060892)
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Dec. 30 2025 | Photo by Ashley Gjovik | Roxbury Canal / Fort Point Channel | Traveler St Bridge, Boston, MA 02127 (42.343615, -71.060516)
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Dec. 30 2025 | Photo by Ashley Gjovik | Roxbury Canal / Fort Point Channel | S Bay Harbor Trail, Boston, MA 02127 (42.343444, -71.060892)
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Dec. 30 2025 | Photo by Ashley Gjovik | Roxbury Canal / Fort Point Channel | S Bay Harbor Trail, Boston, MA 02127 (42.343059, -71.061035)

2025 Field Study

All photos captured by Ashley Gjovik based on samples obtained in her South End basement apartment.
MICROSCOPIC IMAGES WITH POSSIBLE IDENTIFICATION:
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Feb 11, 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Possible identification: sulfur oxidizing bacteria i.e., Thioploca | “Thioploca araucae sp. nov. and Thioploca chileae sp. nov.” International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 34 (1984): 414-418.
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April 19 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Possible identification: cyanobacteria, i.e., Oscillatoriaceae
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April 19 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Possible identification: Cymatiosphaera? https://www.mikrotax.org/Acritax/JWIP/Cymatiosphaera_latisepta
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April 7 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Possible identification: Cymatiosphaera? | MARTIN, FRANCINE. (2008). ACRITARCHSA REVIEW. Biological Reviews. 68. 475 - 537. 10.1111/j.1469-185X.1993.tb01241.x.
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Feb. 14 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Possible identification: sulfur oxidizing bacteria i.e. Thiolava (Tagoro underwater volcano, 2017, https://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/artful-amoeba/bacterial-hair-on-undersea-volcano-unlike-any-seen-before/)
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Feb 5 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) | South End / Gjovik, A.M. | https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18658270
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Feb 5 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) | South End / Gjovik, A.M. | https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18658270
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Possible identification: Capitella capitata complex (Annelida, Capitellidae) HOWEVER photographed organism(s) appears to be self-assembly structure formed by bacteria rather then Metazoan
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Feb. 11, 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Possible identification: sulfur oxidizing bacteria i.e., Thioploca | Community Structure of Filamentous, Sheath-Building Sulfur Bacteria, Thioploca spp., off the Coast of Chile. Applied and environmental microbiology. 62. 1855-62. 10.1128/AEM.62.6.1855-1862.1996. (1996).
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May 20, 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Possible identification: sulfur oxidizing bacteria i.e. Thiolava | A submarine volcanic eruption leads to a novel microbial habitat. Nat Ecol Evol 1, 0144 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-017-0144
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Feb. 14 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Possible identification: iron oxidizing bacteria (Chemolithotrophic microbial mats in an open pond in the continental subsurface – implications for microbial biosignatures, January 2014).
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April 7 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Possible identification: Obruchevella | Taxonomy, Paleoecology and Biostratigraphy of the Late Neoproterozoic Chichkan Microbiota of South Kazakhstan: The Marine Biosphere on the Eve of Metazoan Radiation. Journal of Paleontology - J PALEONTOL. 84. 10.1666/09-133.1. (2010).
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Feb 16 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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OLD FOSSIL PLANTS FOUND IN ONTARIO; Scientists Put Age of Their Specimens at More Than Two Billion Years https://www.nytimes.com/1954/02/17/archives/old-fossil-plants-found-in-ontario-scientists-put-age-of-their.html
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Feb. 1, 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Possible identification: cyanobacteria, i.e., Oscillatoria
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Feb. 13, 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Possible identification: iron oxidizing bacteria (FeOB) i.e., Mariprofundus ferrooxydans or Ghiorsea bivora Iron-oxidizing bacteria in marine environments: recent progresses and future directions. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology. 34. 10.1007/s11274-018-2491-y. (2018)
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Feb 13 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Pterospermopsimorpha?
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Feb. 13 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Identification: iron oxidizing bacteria Mariprofundus ferrooxydans | A Novel Lineage of Proteobacteria Involved in Formation of Marine Fe-Oxidizing Microbial Mat Communities, PLoS One. 2007 Aug 1;2(7):e667. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0000667
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Feb. 2 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Possible identification: Bicuspidata fusiformis?Paleontological Characteristics of the Upper Vendian–Lower Cambrian Sediments in the Section of the North Polotsk Borehole of the East European Platform, Belarus. Stratigr. Geol. Correl. 30, 457–474 (2022).
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Feb. 9 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Possible identification: sulfur oxidizing bacteria | Photo credit Federico Stefanelli (2023)
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Feb. 11 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Possible identification: iron oxidizing bacteria (FeOB) | Lithotrophic iron-oxidizing bacteria produce organic stalks to control mineral growth: implications for biosignature formation. ISME J 5, 717–727 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/ismej.2010.173
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| microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Possible identification: iron oxidizing bacteria (FeOB) i.e., Siderocapsa | Emerson, David & Fleming, Emily & Mcbeth, Joyce. (2010). Iron-Oxidizing Bacteria: An Environmental and Genomic Perspective. Annual review of microbiology. 64. 561-83. 10.1146/annurev.micro.112408.134208.
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April 19 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Possible identification: Kakabekia? | National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2000. Variation and Evolution in Plants and Microorganisms: Toward a New Synthesis 50 Years After Stebbins. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/3562.
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Dec. 13 2024 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Possible identification: Tortunema (1.03-0.95 Ga) (DOI:10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2019.05.007)
Photos on the left side taken by Ashley Gjovik.
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Feb 26, 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Volyn biota?
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Feb 5, 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Chancelloria sp.?
Photos on the left side taken by Ashley Gjovik.
2025 FIELD STUDY: UNIDENTIFIED SPECIMENS
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Jan 17, 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Feb. 1 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Feb. 1 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Feb. 9 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Feb. 13, 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Jan 17 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Feb. 2 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Feb. 17 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Jan. 18 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Feb 11, 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Feb 2, 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Feb. 6, 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Jan 21, 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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April 26 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Feb 18, 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Feb 14, 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Jan 17 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Feb. 14 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Feb 16, 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Feb 2, 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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March 9, 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Feb. 14 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Jan 26 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Feb. 14 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Jan 23 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Jan 26 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Jan 12 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Feb 11 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Feb 2 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Jan 16 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Feb. 14 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Feb 04 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Feb 02 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Feb. 5 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Feb. 14 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Feb. 13 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Feb. 5 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Feb. 5 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Feb. 7 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Feb. 11 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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April 17 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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April 7 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Jan. 2 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Jan. 2 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Feb. 14 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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April 26 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Feb. 14 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Feb. 14 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Feb. 14 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Feb. 15 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Feb. 16 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Feb. 9 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Feb. 11 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Feb. 14 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Dec 29, 2024 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Feb 2, 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Feb 9, 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Feb. 2 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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April 7, 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
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Feb 13, 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs.
All photos take by Ashley Gjovik. 
MACROSCOPIC IMAGES WITH POSSIBLE IDENTIFICATION:
1) FIELDSTONE (PUDDINGSTONE) ERODED FROM WITHIN THE VOID OF A DOUBLE-PARTY WALL ATOP BLUE CLAY AND PRIOR MARSH/PEAT
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Nov 22 2025 | hole & surrounding growths found in fieldstone of South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs
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Nov 22 2025 | hole & surrounding growths found in fieldstone of South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs
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Nov 22 2025 | hole & surrounding growths found in fieldstone of South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs
2) LED MICROSCOPE 
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March 1 2025. LED Microscope (50-1000x): sample from basement apartment. Larger marcroscopic version of a common, repeating bodyform that was typically microscopic.
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LED Microscope (50-1000x): sample from basement apartment.
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Feb. 11 2025. Microscopic version in upper left. Sample from South End basement apartment.
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LED Microscope (50-1000x): sample from basement apartment. Appeared to be hair but under the microscope did not appear to be hair.
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LED Microscope (50-1000x): sample from basement apartment. | Appears to be household fibers but which were twisted and reshaped into one of the typical forms repeatedly present at the location.
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LED Microscope (50-1000x): sample from basement apartment. [Unknown object. Appears to be man-made. Could plausibly be some sort of nanotech. Suspended metal within the container is concerning related to pollution and health exposure. Also, the filamented organisms appear to be drawn to the substance.]
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LED Microscope (50-1000x): sample from basement apartment. [Appeared to be a small rock but under microscope there appeared to be black biofilm and several filamented organisms were active on the film/rock].
3) FIELDSTONE EXTERIOR WALL 
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Feb. 2 2025 | Microbial activity found on exterior facing (underground) fieldstone in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs. Location was behind a bookshelf, under a window, in the living room. At some point in late 2024 - Jan 2025, the site was overtaken by organic growth.
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Feb. 15 2025 | Microbial activity found on exterior facing (underground) fieldstone in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs. Location was behind a bookshelf, under a window, in the living room. At some point in late 2024 - Jan 2025, the site was overtaken by organic growth.
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Feb. 2 2025 | Microbial activity found on exterior facing (underground) fieldstone in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs. Location was behind a bookshelf, under a window, in the living room. At some point in late 2024 - Jan 2025, the site was overtaken by organic growth.
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Feb. 2 2025 | Microbial activity found on exterior facing (underground) fieldstone in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs. Location was behind a bookshelf, under a window, in the living room. At some point in late 2024 - Jan 2025, the site was overtaken by organic growth.
4) GROWTHS AROUND THE KITCHEN 
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Jan. 27 2025 | "dust" found on center of paper towel rack next to kitchen sink in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs
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Feb. 1 2025 | microscopy (AmScope) sample obtained from the "dust" on the left, in the same South End basement.
All photos above taken by Ashley Gjovik.
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Jan. 27 2025 | "carpet" next to stone kitchen floor starts to grow in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs
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In situ filamentous communities from the Ediacaran (approx. 563 Ma) of Brazil. Proc. R. Soc. B 288: 20202618. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2020.2618
5) CULTURES & ASSAYS:
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Jan. 27 2025 | in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs
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Jan. 27 2025 | in South End basement ~1,200 ft / 365 m from Canal for 160+ yrs
All photos above taken by Ashley Gjovik.

Gammaproteobacteria ​

Examples of ​Gammaproteobacteria (putative sulfide-oxidizers)

Note: (third-party photos)
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Thiothrix bacteria at Sulphur Spring. Thiothrix spp. are sessile filamentous ‘sulfur bacteria’. They thrive naturally in masses in the hydrogen sulphide-rich outflow waters of sulphur springs where they form dense floating tufts that adhere to almost any surface. Strauss, Harald & Chmiel, Hannah & Christ, Andreas & Fugmann, Artur & Hanselmann, Kurt & Kappler, Andreas & Königer, Paul & Lutter, Andreas & Siedenberg, Katharina & Teichert, Barbara. (2015). Multiple sulphur and oxygen isotopes reveal microbial sulphur cycling in spring waters in the Lower Engadin, Switzerland. Isotopes in environmental and health studies. 52. 1-19. 10.1080/10256016.2015.1032961.
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View of the surface of a rust-colored nodule from galvanized iron pipe showing flocculent-type precipitate and Gallionella microcolonies. Ridgway, Harry & Means, E & Olson, Betty. (1981). Iron Bacteria in Drinking-Water Distribution Systems: Elemental Analysis of Gallionella Stalks, Using X-Ray Energy-Dispersive Microanalysis. Applied and environmental microbiology. 41. 288-97. 10.1128/AEM.41.1.288-297.1981.
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Photographs of Zetaproteobacteria habitats. (A-D) Marine hydrothermal vent mats, where Zetaproteobacteria have been found in highest abundance. (A) Curdtype and (B) veil-type Fe mats, from Loihi Seamount. (C) Mn-crusted Fe mat from the Ula Nui site, Loihi. Fe mat visible under broken surface (bottom right). (D) Fe mats on the Golden Horn Chimney, at the Urashima vent site, Mariana Trough. Mcallister, Sean & Moore, Ryan & Gartman, Amy & Luther, George & Emerson, David & Chan, Clara. (2019). The Fe(II)-oxidizing Zetaproteobacteria: historical, ecological and genomic perspectives. FEMS Microbiology Ecology. 95. 10.1093/femsec/fiz015.
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Photographs of the Beggiatoa mat. Underwater picture of patches of white mat on the mangrove sediment. Jean, Maïtena R N et al. “Two new Beggiatoa species inhabiting marine mangrove sediments in the Caribbean.” PloS one vol. 10,2 e0117832. 17 Feb. 2015, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0117832
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(A) SEM micrograph of the 2 months old microbial mat from the flow reactor at site 1327B, showing the twisted EPS-stalks of Gallionella sp. and/or Mariprofundus sp. (B) Detail of young EPS-stalks sampled after 2 months, still showing a pristine filamentous structure. Heim, Christine & Ionescu, Danny & Reimer, Andreas & de Beer, Dirk & Quéric, Nadia-Valérie & Reitner, Joachim & Thiel, Volker. (2015). Assessing the utility of trace and rare earth elements as biosignatures in microbial iron oxyhydroxides. Frontiers in Earth Science. 3. 10.3389/feart.2015.00006.
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In situ close-up video still photo of an orange Beggiatoaceae mat in Guaymas Basin, taken by the bottom-facing Alvin camera a few centimeters above the seafloor during Alvin dive 4872 in the Cathedral Hill area of Guaymas Basin (27°N00.70/111°W24.25). Buckley, Andrew & MacGregor, Barbara & Teske, Andreas. (2019). Identification, Expression and Activity of Candidate Nitrite Reductases From Orange Beggiatoaceae, Guaymas Basin. Frontiers in Microbiology. 10. 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00644.
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Thioploca
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Marithioploca
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Thiobacterium
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Thiomargarita
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Thiomargarita
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Thiomargarita
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Thioploca
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Marithioploca

Zetaproteobacteria ​

Examples of ​Zetaproteobacteria (putative iron-oxidizers)​: 

Note: (third-party photos)
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A–D, Light micrographs showing cells attached at the end of the filaments; the cells have been stained with Syto and composite epifluoresence and phase contrast images produced to show the cells stained green. The bar = 5 µm. E TEM image of the cells, note the Gram-negative type cell wall and the fibers of Fe-oxides in the lower left corner. The bar = 0.5 µm. F. A HRTEM image of the Fe-oxide filament showing its composition as a bundle of conjoined fibers of Fe-oxide. The bar = 0.63 µm. Emerson D, Rentz JA, Lilburn TG, Davis RE, Aldrich H, Chan C, et al. (2007) A Novel Lineage of Proteobacteria Involved in Formation of Marine Fe-Oxidizing Microbial Mat Communities. PLoS ONE 2(8): e667.
​Emerson, David & Fleming, Emily & Mcbeth, Joyce. (2010). Iron-Oxidizing Bacteria: An Environmental and Genomic Perspective. Annual review of microbiology. 64. 561-83. 10.1146/annurev.micro.112408.134208. 
​Mori, J., Scott, J., Hager, K. et al. Physiological and ecological implications of an iron- or hydrogen-oxidizing member of the Zetaproteobacteria, Ghiorsea bivora, gen. nov., sp. nov.. ISME J 11, 2624–2636 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/ismej.2017.132
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Ecophysiology of Zetaproteobacteria Associated with Shallow Hydrothermal Iron-Oxyhydroxide Deposits in Nagahama Bay of Satsuma Iwo-Jima, Japan, Front. Microbiol., 10 January 2016. Figure 3. Scanning electron micrograph of iron oxyhydroxides. (A) Overview of iron-oxyhydroxide morphology. Helical stalk-like structures and particulate deposits on the surface were observed. (B) A higher-magnification image of (A). Fine particulate minerals adhere to the stalks. Behind the stalks, ribbon-like structures were observed.
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Jain, A., Gralnick, J.A. Engineering lithoheterotrophy in an obligate chemolithoautotrophic Fe(II) oxidizing bacterium. Sci Rep 11, 2165 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-81412-3
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McBeth JMLittle BJ, Ray RI, Farrar KM, Emerson D. 2011. Neutrophilic Iron-Oxidizing “Zetaproteobacteria” and Mild Steel Corrosion in Nearshore Marine Environments . Appl Environ Microbiol 77:. FIG. 1. Overview of morphology of Mariprofundus sp. strain GSB2 and growth on metallic iron substrates. (A) ESEM image of helical iron oxide stalks produced by strain GSB2 growing on a mild steel coupon. (B) Phase-contrast image of strain GSB2 cells on stalks (cells indicated with arrows). (C) Strain GSB2 growth in a gradient tube prepared with ZVI as the Fe(II)(aq) source. (D) Abiotic control gradient tube. (E) Uncorroded mild steel coupon. (F) Mild steel coupon with biofilm of strain GSB2 at 4 days. (G) Abiotic corrosion of mild steel coupon at 4 days.
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Morphologies of FeOOH biominerals known or suspected to be formed by the Fe-oxidizing Zetaproteobacteria. Marine Fe-oxidizing Zetaproteobacteria: Historical, ecological, and genomic perspectives Sean M. McAllister, Ryan M. Moore, Amy Gartman, George W. Luther III, David Emerson, Clara S. Chan bioRxiv 416842; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/416842
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Electron micrographs of cell strain ET2T. Scanning electron micrographs of a cell (a), cells producing polar prosthecates-like materials (b), cell with extracellular materials and iron oxide (c–f). Transmission electron micrographs of negatively stained single cell (g) and dividing cell (h) with extracellular iron oxyhydroxide filaments. Black arrows indicate extracellular materials. Scale bars indicate 0.1 μm (a), 1.0 μm (b, d–f), 10 μm (c), 0.2 μm (g) and 0.5 μm (h). Mariprofundus micogutta sp. nov., a novel iron-oxidizing zetaproteobacterium isolated from a deep-sea hydrothermal field at the Bayonnaise knoll of the Izu-Ogasawara arc, and a description of Mariprofundales ord. nov. and Zetaproteobacteria classis nov March 2017Archives of Microbiology 199(2) DOI:10.1007/s00203-016-1307-4
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James M. Byrne, Matthias Schmidt, Tina Gauger, Casey Bryce, and Andreas Kappler Environmental Science & Technology Letters 2018 5 (4), 209-213 DOI: 10.1021/acs.estlett.8b00077
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Bacterial Variability within an Iron-Silica-Manganese-rich Hydrothermal Mound Located Off-axis at the Cleft Segment, Juan de Fuca Ridge, Geomicrobiology Journal, 26:570–580, 2009
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Frutexites-like structures formed by iron oxidizing biofilms in the continental subsurface (Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory, Sweden) Heim C, Quéric NV, Ionescu D, Schäfer N, Reitner J (2017) Frutexites-like structures formed by iron oxidizing biofilms in the continental subsurface (Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory, Sweden). PLOS ONE 12(5): e0177542.
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Frutexites-like structures formed by iron oxidizing biofilms in the continental subsurface (Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory, Sweden) Heim C, Quéric NV, Ionescu D, Schäfer N, Reitner J (2017) Frutexites-like structures formed by iron oxidizing biofilms in the continental subsurface (Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory, Sweden). PLOS ONE 12(5): e0177542.
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Fleming, Emily J et al. “Hidden in plain sight: discovery of sheath-forming, iron-oxidizing Zetaproteobacteria at Loihi Seamount, Hawaii, USA.” FEMS microbiology ecology vol. 85,1 (2013): 116-27. doi:10.1111/1574-6941.12104 iron-oxidizing Zetaproteobacteria at Loihi Seamount, Hawaii, USA
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Fig 5 Microscopic observation of OYT1. Images were obtained by differential interference contrast microscopy (A), fluorescence microscopy (B), SEM (C), and TEM (D). (B) Cells were stained with SYBR green I. The images in panels A and B are in the same view. Kato S, Chan C, Itoh T, Ohkuma M. 2013. Functional Gene Analysis of Freshwater Iron-Rich Flocs at Circumneutral pH and Isolation of a Stalk-Forming Microaerophilic Iron-Oxidizing Bacterium. Appl Environ Microbiol 79:.
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Frutexites-like structures formed by iron oxidizing biofilms in the continental subsurface (Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory, Sweden) Heim C, Quéric NV, Ionescu D, Schäfer N, Reitner J (2017) Frutexites-like structures formed by iron oxidizing biofilms in the continental subsurface (Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory, Sweden). PLOS ONE 12(5): e0177542.
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Frutexites-like structures formed by iron oxidizing biofilms in the continental subsurface (Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory, Sweden) Heim C, Quéric NV, Ionescu D, Schäfer N, Reitner J (2017) Frutexites-like structures formed by iron oxidizing biofilms in the continental subsurface (Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory, Sweden). PLOS ONE 12(5): e0177542.

 

 

 

 

 
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