Centennial Session: Biogeophysics: New Frontiers for Understanding Subsurface Microbial Processes from Their Geophysical Signatures I.

Two decades of highly interdisciplinary research has conclusively demonstrated that a myriad of geophysical signatures arise from microbial processes in the Earth. The interpretation of these signatures has advanced understanding of biogeochemical processes/cycles (e.g. controlling contaminant biodegradation), rock-fluid interactions (e.g. dissolution/precipitation) and cycling of carbon gasses in soils. A unique opportunity currently exists to adopt biogeophysical sensing for the investigation of microbial processes and life detection in extreme environments. Future planetary missions and deep sea exploration vehicles could both readily be equipped with biogeophysical sensors. Additionally, biogeochemical hotspots at terrestrial-aquatic interfaces, including the rapidly changing land-sea interface and locations where groundwater and surface water are in contact, offer unique opportunities for biogeophysical sensing and monitoring. This session will [1] showcase the major advances in biogeophysics from the last two decades, and [2] highlight scientific opportunities at the new frontiers of biogeophysical investigations of hotspots and extreme environments.