Springs in the French Southern and Antarctic Lands

The second part of our work focuses on the microbial communities in the terrestrial and coastal hydrothermal springs of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands (TAAF; Kerguelen archipelago and St Paul Island), which are geographically very isolated and poorly anthropized. The aim of this research is to identify the microbial diversity present in these unique habitats and to determine its contribution to the phylogenomic tree of life. It also aims to determine the control of environmental parameters on microbial communities, to identify the functional capital and adaptations of microbial taxa in these unique habitats, and to specify their genomic and functional originality. Finally, part of our studies are aimed at improving our knowledge of the microbial biosignatures associated with the siliceous and carbonate mineral matrices present at certain springs.