Geobiology

Geobiology is a field of scientific research that explores the interactions between the physical Earth and the biosphere. It is a relatively young field, and its borders are fluid. There is a considerable overlap with the fields of ecology, evolutionary biology, microbiology, paleontology, and particularly soil science and biogeochemistry. Geobiology applies the principles and methods of biology, geology, and soil science to the study of the ancient history of the co-evolution of life and Earth as well as the role of life in the modern world. Geobiological studies tend to be focused on microorganisms, and on the role that life plays in altering the chemical and physical environment of the pedosphere, which exists at the intersection of the lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere and/or cryosphere. It differs from biogeochemistry in that the focus is on processes and organisms over space and time rather than on global chemical cycles.

Even though the terms biogeology and geobiology are often used interchangeably, they have slightly different definitions. Biogeology refers to the field of science where biological aspects of geology, or the interaction between the biosphere and lithosphere is studied. Whereas the extent of Geobiology spans much wider. The scope of geobiology has also evolved and expanded over time, now comprising secondary disciplines such as geomicrobiology, geoecology, molecular geobiology, biogeochemistry, paleobiology, applied geobiology etc.

Geobiological research synthesizes the geologic record with modern biological studies. It deals with process - how organisms affect the Earth and vice versa - as well as history - how the Earth and life have changed together. It's an all encompassing field which tries to understand the interactions between the living system and the geological and geochemical surroundings of where it evolved. Much research is grounded in the search for fundamental understanding, but geobiology can also be applied, as in the case of microbes that clean up oil spills.

Geobiology employs molecular biology, environmental microbiology, organic geochemistry, and the geologic record to investigate the evolutionary interconnectedness of life and Earth. It attempts to understand how the Earth has changed since the origin of life and what it might have been like along the way. Some definitions of geobiology even push the boundaries of this time frame - to understanding the origin of life and to the role that humans have played and will continue to play in shaping the Earth in the Anthropocene.