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Microbial roles in cave biogeochemical cycling
Hai-Zhen Zhu1, Cheng-Ying Jiang1,2, Shuang-Jiang Liu1,2,3
1State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources and Environmental Microbiology Research Center, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
Frontiers in Microbiology
|October 17, 2022
Summary
Subterranean microbes are crucial for element cycling in karst caves. This review explores their roles in cave evolution and biogeochemical processes, highlighting knowledge gaps and future research directions.
Area of Science:
- Subterranean biology
- Cave microbiology
- Biogeochemistry
Background:
- Karst caves are unique subsurface ecosystems with limited nutrients.
- Cave microbes play a significant role in cave evolution and biogeochemical cycling.
- Understanding microbial sustenance and interactions in caves is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of microbes in cave evolution and mineral deposition.
- To highlight microbial contributions to carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur biogeocycles.
- To inspire further research into cave microbial functions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing research on cave microbiology and biogeochemistry.
- Synthesis of findings on microbial roles in cave environments.
- Identification of knowledge gaps in microbial sustenance and function.
Main Results:
- Diverse microbial communities exist in caves and participate in biogeochemical cycling.
- Microbes influence cave evolution and mineral deposition processes.
- Challenges remain in cultivating specific cave bacteria and understanding their nutrient acquisition.
Conclusions:
- Microbial roles in cave evolution and biogeochemical cycling are significant.
- Further research is needed to elucidate microbial strategies for survival in nutrient-poor cave environments.
- Exploring microbial functions in carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycling is a key future direction.
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