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The deep subsurface is, in addition to space, one of the last unknown frontiers to human kind. A significant part of life on Earth resides in the deep subsurface, hiding great potential of microbial life of which we know only little. The conditions in the deep terrestrial subsurface are thought to resemble those of early Earth, which makes this environment an analog for studying early life in addition to possible extraterrestrial life in ultra-extreme conditions. Early microorganisms played a great role in shaping the conditions on the young Earth. Even today deep subsurface microorganisms interact with their geological environment transforming the conditions in the groundwater and on rock surfaces. Essential elements for life are richly present but in difficultly accessible form. The elements driving the microbial deep life is still not completely identified. Most of the microorganisms detected by novel molecular techniques still lack cultured representatives. Nevertheless, using modern sequencing techniques and bioinformatics the functional roles of these microorganisms are being revealed. We are starting to see the differences and similarities between the life in the deep subsurface and surface domains. We may even begin to see the function of evolution by comparing deep life to life closer to the surface of Earth. Deep life consists of organisms from all known domains of life. This Research Topic reveals some of the rich diversity and functional properties of the great biomass residing in the deep dark subsurface.

Nitrogen Cycle --- Methane --- Eukaryotes --- Iron oxidation --- cave --- Groundwater --- Terrestrial deep biosphere --- MINE --- Heavy metal resistance --- microbiome

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Deep biosphere research is at the scientific frontier of bio- and geo-related sciences, yet it is largely underexplored. In terms of volume, deep subsurface settings represent some of the largest microbial habitats on the planet, and the combined biomass of the deep biosphere encompasses the largest living reservoir of carbon, excluding land plants. However, the paleo-record of the deep biosphere is still largely uncharted and neglected. The aim of this book is to highlight current research on deep life through time and bring together researchers with various perspectives. The book presents a collection of scientific contributions that provide a sample of forefront research in this field. The contributions involve a range of case studies of deep ancient life in continental and oceanic settings, of microbial diversity in sub-seafloor environments, and of the isolation of calcifying bacteria, as well as reviews on clay mineralization of fungal biofilms and on the carbon isotope records of the deep biosphere. Deciphering the fossil record of the deep biosphere is a challenging task but, when successful, will unlock doors to life’s cryptic past.

Impact structure --- fungal hyphae --- in situ radiometric dating --- secondary minerals --- stable isotopes --- subsurface --- sediment --- bacteria --- archaea --- deep biosphere --- clay authigenesis --- fossil fungi --- igneous crust --- cryptoendoliths --- subseafloor habitats --- fossilized microorganisms --- Ophiolite --- bacterial calcium-carbonate precipitation (BCP) --- calcifying bacteria selection --- calcifying mixed cultures --- ImageJ software --- Biolog EcoPlates --- sand biocementation --- carbon isotopes --- diagenetic carbonates --- methanogenesis --- anaerobic methane oxidation --- Wood–Ljungdahl pathway --- in situ U-Pb geochronology --- Caledonides --- deep drilling (COSC-1) --- geobiology --- deep time --- geochronology --- microorganisms --- evolution