Subsurface microbiology: the life below our feet.
Just as in the classic novel of Jules Verne A Journey to the Centre of the Earth , mankind currently experiences an increasing urge to venture into the subsurface. Mostly not in the true sense, but intellectually, in sampling and exploitation campaigns. This directly relates to an increased awareness of the importance of subsurface systems, or a need of the resources and services it provides us with. Fossil and geothermal energy, mineral and metal deposits, possible systems to dispose CO2 or nuclear waste, and certainly not least, clean drinking water, are just a few to …