Abstract

The Atacama Desert (AD) is considered a natural laboratory because it hosts unique environments relevant for research on different disciplines for getting relevant knowledge. Indeed, it possesses fundamental exceptional features: exposed geological consequences of subduction tectonics; hyperaridity; life inhabiting extreme conditions; geochemical anomalies of valuable resources (Cu, Li, Au, Ag, B, Mo); v) resilient peoples; a manifested Anthropocene. Coupled to the clearest skies in the world, those features have shaped and still currently shaping several exceptional places and conditions such as i) water stress and saline domain hazards and risks like earthquakes, ii) volcanism and high level of arsenic and borate, iii) presence of paleoclimatic records, fossils, biosignatures, and archaeological records, iv) concentrations of Mars analogues, v) unusual impact on “One Health” and vi) the occurrence of an unique flora, fauna and microbial diversity. In addition, human activities of exceptional production and impact (transhumant agriculture and livestock, mining exploration and production, tourism, sustainable biotechnological applications, exploitation of non-conventional energy resources, astronomical observation, research on Mars analogs) also take advantage on those unique features. Our work with the different stakeholders has allowed us to decipher their interest in the territory's microbiology. It points out that mining and energy enterprises, as well as the public sector and the community are interested in the mining impact of saline/metal deposits exploitation as well as the “green” energy plant operations on the microbial diversity. Mining enterprises are also interested in the microbiology of their industrial bioleaching operations, the biggest in the world. Farmers, ranchers, and the community are interested in microorganisms which play a role in the contamination events of the only river crossing the AD. The community is interested in the potential of that unique microbial diversity on the development of biotechnological processes/industries for economic diversification. The scientific community is interested in research on the limits of microbial occurrence and metabolisms, and on Mars analogues. Moreover, based on their cosmovision which fundaments their identity, the aboriginal communities consider microbial communities inhabiting the salt flats, with their colours and structures, as the hot spot where life started. We´ll present research results highlighting the current knowledge of the microbial diversity in the ecosystems that take the attention of the stakeholders.