Nitrogen cycling in the subsurface biosphere - an analogue for early life on Earth

Using a serpentinizing system as an analogue system for early life, this project aims to characterise active nitrogen cycling within the Oman ophiolite[2]; and to trace the source of nitrogen for subsurface microbes. How the above may evolve along fluid flows across sharp pH and redox gradients, and how diverse nitrogen-cycling reactions[3] may power life in the subsurface biosphere simulating early life will be investigated. This may provide important insights into how life has evolved on Earth and beyond.