Tracking the Deep Biosphere through Time

Drake, Henrik

Tracking the Deep Biosphere through Time - Basel, Switzerland MDPI - Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute 2021 - 1 electronic resource (168 p.)

Open Access

Deep biosphere research is at the scientific frontier of bio- and geo-related sciences, yet it is largely underexplored. In terms of volume, deep subsurface settings represent some of the largest microbial habitats on the planet, and the combined biomass of the deep biosphere encompasses the largest living reservoir of carbon, excluding land plants. However, the paleo-record of the deep biosphere is still largely uncharted and neglected. The aim of this book is to highlight current research on deep life through time and bring together researchers with various perspectives. The book presents a collection of scientific contributions that provide a sample of forefront research in this field. The contributions involve a range of case studies of deep ancient life in continental and oceanic settings, of microbial diversity in sub-seafloor environments, and of the isolation of calcifying bacteria, as well as reviews on clay mineralization of fungal biofilms and on the carbon isotope records of the deep biosphere. Deciphering the fossil record of the deep biosphere is a challenging task but, when successful, will unlock doors to life’s cryptic past.


Creative Commons


English

books978-3-03943-952-2 9783039439515 9783039439522

10.3390/books978-3-03943-952-2 doi


Research & information: general

Impact structure fungal hyphae in situ radiometric dating secondary minerals stable isotopes subsurface sediment bacteria archaea deep biosphere clay authigenesis fossil fungi igneous crust cryptoendoliths subseafloor habitats fossilized microorganisms Ophiolite bacterial calcium-carbonate precipitation (BCP) calcifying bacteria selection calcifying mixed cultures ImageJ software Biolog EcoPlates sand biocementation carbon isotopes diagenetic carbonates methanogenesis anaerobic methane oxidation Wood–Ljungdahl pathway in situ U-Pb geochronology Caledonides deep drilling (COSC-1) geobiology deep time geochronology microorganisms evolution