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Utilizing Soil Density Fractionation to Separate Distinct Soil Carbon Pools
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Published on: December 16, 2022

Weighing the deep continental biosphere.

Sean McMahon1, John Parnell

  • 1School of Geosciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK.

FEMS Microbiology Ecology
|September 3, 2013
PubMed
Summary

The deep continental subsurface hosts significant microbial life, estimated between 10^16 and 10^17 grams of carbon. This vast microbial biomass represents 2-19% of Earth's total biomass, impacting global biogeochemical cycles.

Area of Science:

  • Geomicrobiology
  • Subsurface Microbiology
  • Biogeochemistry

Background:

  • Microbial life is prevalent in deep continental fractures and aquifers.
  • Previous estimates (Whitman et al., 1998) placed continental subsurface biomass at 10^16 - 10^17 g C.
  • This biomass has implications for Earth's biogeochemical cycles and extraterrestrial habitability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To reassess the estimated biomass of microorganisms in the deep continental subsurface.
  • To incorporate recent data from global groundwater microbial population density measurements.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of over 100 microbial population density measurements from global groundwater.
  • Application of conservative assumptions for cell carbon content.
  • Consideration of the ratio between attached and free-living microorganisms.
Keywords:
aquiferbiomassgroundwatersubsurface

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Main Results:

  • The study reaffirms the deep continental subsurface biomass estimate of 10^16 - 10^17 g C.
  • This biomass constitutes an estimated 2-19% of Earth's total biomass.
  • Findings support the significant role of subsurface microbial communities.

Conclusions:

  • The deep continental subsurface harbors a substantial microbial biomass.
  • This biomass is a critical component of Earth's total biomass and biogeochemical processes.
  • The findings reinforce the potential for life in similar subsurface environments on other planets.