(SGER): Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling Project: A Unique Opportunity for Studying the Deep Subsurface Microbiology

深层大陆岩石的地球微生物学研究仍处于起步阶段，部分原因是深层大陆钻探的成本很高。本项目充分利用最近启动的中国大陆科学钻探项目，在地质构造复杂的板块俯冲带中获得深度达5000 m的岩心。以往的地质研究表明，该地区存在超高压变质岩和矿物，裂缝和断裂带中存在丰富的流体和气体。我们建议研究变质岩中微生物的丰度和多样性及其对地质和地球化学过程的影响。我们将开发样品处理程序，包括污染检测、样品保存和从结晶岩石中提取微生物。化学和微生物示踪剂将用于评价岩心受到地表微生物污染的情况。原始地下岩石将被用来测定微生物生物量的磷脂脂肪酸法。将尝试从未受污染的岩心中提取DNA，然后进行测序和鉴定。将评估岩心中微生物的可培养性。

Investigation into the geomicrobiology of deep continental rocks is still at its infancy, partly due to the high cost of the deep continental drilling. This project takes full advantage of the recently initiated Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling project to obtain rock cores from depth up to 5000 m in a geologically complex tectonic setting, plate subduction zone. Previous geological studies have revealed ultra high-pressure metamorphic rocks and minerals in this region, along with abundant fluids and gas in fractures and fault zones. We propose to study abundance and diversity of microbes in metamorphic rocks and their impact on geological and geochemical processes. We will develop procedures of sample processing, including detection of contamination, sample preservation, and extraction of microbes from crystalline rocks. Chemical and microbial tracers will be used to evaluate contamination of rock cores by surface microbes. Pristine subsurface rocks will be used to determine microbial biomass by the phospholipid fatty acid method. Attempts will be made to extract DNA from uncontaminated rock cores, followed by sequencing and identification. Culturability of microbes in rock cores will be assessed.