HUMIC
“Metagenomic analysis of the suboxic layer in humic lakes"
Microbes numerically dominate the biosphere and play crucial roles in                 balancing the planetary ecosystem by regulating aspects such as chemical cycles and                 primary production. Aquatic environments with their sediments constitute the largest                 portion of this biosphere. Despite this fact, the composition, activities and                 metabolic potential of the microbial communities inhabiting them are still only                 partly understood. To take an example of interest, though abundant in boreal zones,                 forest lakes and especially their suboxic layers are poorly studied. To perform                 comparative studies, such atypical environments are good choices for learning about                 microbial adaptation and biogeography. Indeed, as the conditions are rather extreme                 in these habitats, the changes in genetic content and function of bacteria should be                 well pronounced when compared to other aquatic environments.