Sansha Yongle BlueHole in South China Sea Metagenome. Sansha Yongle BlueHole in South China Sea

Exploration of oxygen-depleted marine settings has frequently revealed novel microbial species and metabolic capabilities that add to our knowledge of microbial evolution and ecology. Blue holes have unique geomorphological features with a steep oxygen gradient, making them an ideal natural laboratory for researching the evolution of microorganisms from aerobic to anaerobic environments. Here, we provide a metagenomic and geochemical characterization of the Sansha Yongle Blue Hole (SYBH) in the South China Sea, which is the world's deepest blue hole.