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This research emphasizes microbial/mineral interactions associated with Fe$\sp{3+}$ and SO$\sb4\sp{2-}$ reduction. Simplified methods are developed to evaluate Fe$\sp{3+}, $ Fe$\sp{2+}, $ and S mineral species. These techniques allow an approximation of biologically available Fe$\sp{3+}$ minerals and permit analysis of Fe$\sp{2+}$ and reduced S minerals deposited as a result of microbial processes. Methods developed herein were applied to three test sites contaminated with gasoline, landfill leachate, and natural methane gas. At these sites, the effects of Fe$\sp{3+}$ and SO$\sb4\sp{2-}$ reduction could be distinguished based on mineral analysis. Evaluation methods were also developed especially with respect to understanding Fe data.