The microbial dimension of submarine groundwater discharge: current challenges and future directions.

ABSTRACT: Despite the relevance of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) for ocean biogeochemistry, the microbial dimension of SGD remains poorly understood. SGD can influence marine microbial communities through supplying chemical compounds and microorganisms, and in turn, microbes at the land-ocean transition zone determine the chemistry of the groundwater reaching the ocean. However, compared with inland groundwater, little is known about microbial communities in coastal aquifers. Here, we review the state of the art of the microbial dimension of SGD, with emphasis on prokaryotes, and identify current challenges and future directions. Main challenges include improving the diversity description of groundwater microbiota, characterized by ultrasmall, inactive and novel taxa, and by high ratios of s

SUBMITTER: Ruiz-Gonzalez C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8498565 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature