While I'm no expert, literally, I am only a sophomore in high school, I do know a little about environmental microbiology! One topic that I find interesting is the theory that, with the help of microorganisms to build an atmosphere, we could one day inhabit other planets. In preparation for extended missions in space, scientists are developing simulations of enclosed space stations. These enclosed spaces are called Closed Ecological Life Support Systems, or CELSS for short.
The largest CELSS project yet is Biosphere II in the Sonoran desert of Arizona. Biosphere II contains three acres sealed from our atmosphere under glass. Biosphere II contains eight different biomes including desert, salt marsh, ocean, rain forest, tropical savanna, rain forest, agricultural area, and human habitat. Each of these environments has its own rich communities of microbes.
In 1991, 8 people were sealed inside Biosphere II for 2 years. Microbes helped maintain life in Biosphere II for all that time. Microbes recycled wastes, purified the air, and changed the atmosphere.