Effects of Low pH and Elevated Temperature on the Structural and Functional Diversity of Microbes in Submerged and Intertidal Biofilms

The study evaluates how elevated temperature and reduced pH influence the biogeochemical dynamics within marine biofilms in the Arabian Gulf, one of the world's most extreme marine environments. Through controlled microcosm experiments, along with high throughput metagenomic sequencings, the study investigates how climate driven stressors cause a shift in microbial diversity, functional genes, and ecosystem processes. The findings provide novel insights into the coupling of physical drivers and biogeochemical responses in the Arabian Gulf, contributing to the understanding of ecosystem resilience and vulnerability under climate change.