ABSTRACT
The key operating systems are basic biogeochemical processes in the soil and water column mediated by abiotic and biotic processes. With the availability of advanced instrumentation and methods, there is considerable interest in studying these processes at the molecular level and identifying specific microbial communities with the diversity and molecular structures of organic and mineral components involved in performing biogeochemical functions. Biogeochemical cycles of elements involve an exchange of material between abiotic and biotic pools and are regulated by physical, chemical, and biological processes. The structure and productivity of the biotic communities are strongly affected by the existing variability and potential future changes in anthropogenic and natural drivers and environmental gradients. Technological advances and improvement in automation have increased the throughput and have aided researchers to conduct studies routinely to determine microbial composition and diversity in a wide range of natural ecosystems, including wetlands.
