Geochemical characterization of mineral particulate aggregates and associated biomass collected in boreholes at the Soudan Underground Mine State Park, Soudan, MN, USA.

Mineral and biological samples were collected from boreholes on the 27th level of the Soudan Underground Mine State Park, Soudan, MN, USA. These samples were characterized in order to describe the biogeochemical cycling of iron and sulfur in the crustal regions accessed by the mine's boreholes as well as the microbial communities supported by and responsible for that biogeochemical cycling. The mineral samples were characterized through X-ray diffraction and Fe XANES, the microbial biomass associated with the mineral aggregates was characterized through C XANES, and the microbial community was characterized through the assembly of metagenomes.