Carla Alcalà Badias & Laura Villanueva

Microbial Prophetesses revives this prophetic figure in the form of electro-active bacteria, an ancient group of micro-organisms that can be found in marine sediments. These subterranean, forces have probably existed since the beginning of the world's history and have thrived in an oxygen-free environment, such as the depths of the sea floor, for more than a billion years. Electroactive bacteria possess a unique metabolic process that does not require oxygen. They can also convert the energy of organic pollutants into electrons, which they can transport outside themselves. This ability makes it interesting to use them as biosensors for environmental monitoring, as a kind of contemporary version of ancient oracles.

However, Microbial Prophetesses does not outline an imminent apocalyptic future, but rather a scenario in which electroactive bacteria sing of hope. They are ritual objects connected to marine sediments. These artefacts, also called Microbial Electrochemical Technologies (METs), are made of black ceramic, an electroconductive material to which electroactive bacteria can attach and grow. In doing so, the bacteria not only serve as biosensors, but can also be stimulated to biodegrade pollutants.

This project aims to revolutionise our understanding of electroactive bacteria by exploiting their prophetic potential. The scientific significance is twofold. On one hand, the electrogenic potential of black ceramics as conductive elements can be used to harvest electrical energy from marine microbial communities. On the other hand, the diversity and role of anaerobic microorganisms in recycling organic compounds in marine sediments are currently in their infancy. The knowledge gained by the scientist and artist is very useful in unravelling the role of microorganisms in marine sediments in the overall biogeochemical cycles of nitrogen, sulphur and carbon.