| salinity constraints on subsurface archaeal diversity and methanogenesis in sedimentary rock rich in organic matter. | the diversity of microorganisms active within sedimentary rocks provides important controls on the geochemistry of many subsurface environments. in particular, biodegradation of organic matter in sedimentary rocks contributes to the biogeochemical cycling of carbon and other elements and strongly impacts the recovery and quality of fossil fuel resources. in this study, archaeal diversity was investigated along a salinity gradient spanning 8 to 3,490 mm cl(-) in a subsurface shale rich in ch(4) d ... | 2007 | 17468287 |