KOREA INSTITUTE OF GEOSCIENCE AND MINERAL RESOURCES

CHARACTERIZATION OF MICROBIAL DIVERSITY IN GROUNDWATER DEPENDENT ECOSYSTEM KIGAM

Microorganisms play a critical role in ecosystem functioning by mediating biogeochemical processes in subsurface environments. The natural ecology of groundwater is, therefore, an important factor for determining the biogeochemical cycling of elements and the water quality, as well as the contamination levels of aquifers. The bacterial community structures in Geum-river basin groundwater were investigated on a regional scale using high-throughput sequencing technologies. The overall knowledge gained during this study provides novel insight into groundwater ecosystems and will contribute to the fundamental data for the sustainable management of groundwater.