Microbial metabolism of trace gases in a changing world

Atmospheric trace gases, including hydrogen, carbon monoxide, methane and nitrous oxide are critical for sustaining life. Microorganisms can either oxidize or reduce these gases at atmospheric or elevated concentrations to support their growth and survival. However, it remains elusive how microbial metabolism of trace gases will be affected by contemporary environmental change, such as increased nutrient pollution, rising temperature or increased hypoxia. The main aim of this thesis is to investigate how microorganisms metabolize trace gases under these environmental pressures, which may have significant implications for ecosystem functioning and global biogeochemical cycling.