Microbial Physiology and Geomicrobiology Across Volcanic and Geothermal Systems of the Andes and the Pacific Ring of Fire

The Pacific Ring of Fire and the Andean volcanic and geothermal systems at its heart represent one of the most geochemically dynamic regions on Earth, characterised by intense volcanic activity, hydrothermal venting, high seismicity, and steep physicochemical gradients. These conditions, extreme temperatures, low pH, high concentrations of sulfur compounds, heavy metals, and reactive gases, create a mosaic of habitats that push the boundaries of microbial life.Yet microorganisms not only survive in these settings but thrive, having evolved remarkable metabolic and physiological strategies to exploit geochemical energy sources and tolerate conditions lethal to most life forms. Understanding these adaptations offers a unique window into the biochemical versatility of microbial life and its role in driving key biogeochemical cycles. Despite their remarkable geochemical and ecological diversity, these extreme environments remain significantly underrepresented in the international literature, a gap this Research Topic directly aims to address.Scope and focusThis Research Topic focuses specifically on microorganisms inhabiting volcanically and hydrothermally active environments, including hot springs, fumaroles, acidic crater lakes, solfataras, and deep-sea hydrothermal vents, where geochemical energy and extreme physicochemical conditions are the primary selective forces. Contributions centred on cold adaptation, agricultural applications, or high-altitude environments not directly linked to volcanic or hydrothermal activity fall outside the scope of this collection.We invite original research articles, reviews, and methods papers addressing topics including, but not limited to:-Chemolithotrophy, phototrophy, and energy conservation in geochemically extreme habitats-Metabolic pathways underlying elemental cycling in volcanic and hydrothermal systems-Physiological and molecular mechanisms of adaptation and stress tolerance to geochemical extremes-Genomic, transcriptomic, and metagenomic approaches to uncovering microbial and viral metabolic potential-Enzyme discovery and biotechnological applications inspired by extremophile metabolismBy bringing together researchers working across this vast and understudied geographic arc, from high-altitude Andean plateaus shaped by volcanic geology to deep-sea hydrothermal vents along the Ring of Fire, this Research Topic aims to advance our understanding of microbial life at geochemical extremes and its broader implications for biogeochemistry, evolution, and biotechnology. Topic editors: Beatriz Díez, Raquel Quatrini, Sara Cuadros Orellana, Gerdhard L Jessen Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/82019/microbial-physiology-and-geomicrobiology-across-volcanic-and-geothermal-systems-of-the-andes-and-the-pacific-ring-of-fire