The interactions between the geosphere and the biosphere are central questions in environmental and geological research. The relationship between bacteria and their environment is an important example of these interactions. By studying microbial communities in modern environments, it is possible to understand the underlying mechanisms that shape these environments and apply this knowledge to the rock record. Recently, new experimental and theoretical methods, ranging from nano- and biotechnology to mathematical and conceptual modelling, have come into play. Thus, new opportunities for interdisciplinary research in the field of geobiology have emerged. In this paper, we review aspects of state-of-the-art imaging and modelling techniques and propose a research concept linking the experimental and the theoretical approaches.

中文翻译：

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微生物，矿物表面和水生环境：从过去中学习以取得未来的进步。

地圈和生物圈之间的相互作用是环境和地质研究的中心问题。细菌与其环境之间的关系是这些相互作用的重要例子。通过研究现代环境中的微生物群落，有可能了解形成这些环境的潜在机制并将这些知识应用于岩石记录。最近，从纳米技术和生物技术到数学和概念建模的新实验和理论方法开始发挥作用。因此，出现了在地球生物学领域进行跨学科研究的新机会。在本文中，我们回顾了最先进的成像和建模技术的各个方面，并提出了将实验和理论方法联系起来的研究概念。