Microbial evolution and biogeochemical processes are mainly targeted, which help decipher microbial roles in changing the early Earth oceanic conditions and the atmospheric composition (i.e., molecular oxygen content).

Mesoproterozoic investigations

Research is mainly conducted on the microbial communities, indicative of the oceanic conditions associated with the faunal mass extinctions across Ordovician-Silurian boundary, Frasnian-Famenian boundary in late Devonian, Permian-Triassic boundary, Triassic-Jurassic boundary. This helps understand the pattern and causes of the biotic crisis in Earth history.

Paleozoic and Mesozoin intervals

Cenozoic

Microbial investigations are mainly conducted in a variety of terrestrial archives including lacustrine sediments, peat deposits, stalagmite, loess-paleosol sequences, and modern soils. This helps understand the evolution of paleoclimate and the associated ecological feedbacks in Eastern and Central China. In particular, hydroclimate changes driven by the Asian monsoons are paid great attention to.

Modern days

Microbial communities in critical zones in Central China are investigated, with a focus on cave systems and peatlands. This helps establish the lipid proxies for paleoclimate, and help understand the evolution of typical critical zones due to the interactions among water, soils, gases, organisms and rocks.