Bacterioplankton

Submarine groundwater discharge

Demography

Phytoplankton

Ecology

Bacteria

Biology

Geotechnical engineering

Geology

Oceanography

Genetics

Biogeochemical cycle

Biogeochemistry

Groundwater

Population

Sociology

Environmental science

Microbial population biology

Geomicrobiology

Environmental biotechnology

Nutrient

Microbial ecology

Aquifer

Biological dispersal

FEMS Microbiology Reviews

ABSTRACT Despite the relevance of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) for ocean biogeochemistry, the microbial dimension of SGD remains poorly understood. SGD can influence marine microbial communities through supplying chemical compounds and microorganisms, and in turn, microbes at the land–ocean transition zone determine the chemistry of the groundwater reaching the ocean. However, compared with inland groundwater, little is known about microbial communities in coastal aquifers. Here, we review the state of the art of the microbial dimension of SGD, with emphasis on prokaryotes, and identify current challenges and future directions. Main challenges include improving the diversity description of groundwater microbiota, characterized by ultrasmall, inactive and novel taxa, and by high ratios of sediment-attached versus free-living cells. Studies should explore microbial dynamics and their role in chemical cycles in coastal aquifers, the bidirectional dispersal of groundwater and seawater microorganisms, and marine bacterioplankton responses to SGD. This will require not only combining sequencing methods, visualization and linking taxonomy to activity but also considering the entire groundwater–marine continuum. Interactions between traditionally independent disciplines (e.g. hydrogeology, microbial ecology) are needed to frame the study of terrestrial and aquatic microorganisms beyond the limits of their presumed habitats, and to foster our understanding of SGD processes and their influence in coastal biogeochemical cycles.

The microbial dimension of submarine groundwater discharge: current challenges and future directions