Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue examines the intersection between geosciences and microbiology. Geomicrobiology is an interdisciplinary field of research on the study of the intimate interaction between microbial life and their environments, in the present or over geological time. While the geophysical, geothermal and geochemical conditions of an environment determine its habitability, microorganisms have also shown their incredible ability to modify the environment, adapt to various conditions and evolve to occupy new niches. In this regard, nature is not lacking in examples. For instance, the discovery of thermophiles that can grow in 121°C conditions; subsurface microorganisms living independent of light and photosynthase; piezophiles that can withstand pressure as high as 1,000 atm, etc.

This Special Issue aims to collect papers (original research articles, mini-reviews and perspectives) that incorporate geoscience and microbiological tools to reveal microorganisms’ interaction with each other and their surroundings. Potential topics include, but are not limited to: biogeography of microorganisms; phenotypic, genotypic and physiological adaptation; co-evolution of microorganisms and their environments; energetics and metabolic strategies for survival and growth; impact of microbial processes on geological and geochemical processes and vice versa; limits of life. Studies with an explicit time component and quantifiable expressions of the results are especially of interest.

As this Special Issue is expected to reach geobiologists as well as scientists with a strong but distinct background in geosciences and microbiology, authors are recommended to keep this in mind when preparing their manuscripts. Manuscripts are expected to state clearly the motives and hypotheses (if applicable) in the Introduction, to justify the methodology, to present data-supported results, and to discuss main findings as well as limitations. It is also important to state clearly the significance and implications of the main findings that advance the field. It is also recommended that all supporting data be made available online to the public at the time of publication. If authors are interested in submitting a manuscript, pre-submission communication with the Guest Editor is recommended.

Dr. Maggie Lau
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Geosciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• geomicrobiology
• geosciences
• geochemistry
• geospatial analysis
• microbial ecology
• microbial biogeography
• interaction
• adaptation
• evolution