Microorganisms occurring at different depths in the Äspö Hard Rock laboratory (tunnel of Äspö) are studied as model systems for the biodiversity and structure of the deep continental biosphere, and the interaction of microbiological processes and mineral precipitation.Major aspects investigated are (1) the biodiversity of microbial systems including metagenomics, (2) metabolic pathways and biomineralization processes, including EPS-controlled selective cation binding and complex formation, (3) inorganic and organic biosignatures for biogeochemical processes involving deep biosphere microorganisms. The latter topic will emphasize miniaturized techniques for analysing small environmental samples (particularly GC/MS, ToF-SIMS, RAMAN-spectroscopy), and the establishment of biomarker proxies for a fossil deep biosphere.
DFG Programme
Research Units
