The number of species of microorganisms has been estimated from as low as 10 4 10 5 to as high as 10 6 10 7, let alone that it is not always clear how to defne a microbial species. 2.2.2 Biogeochemical cycles Oceans and coastal waters, including estuaries, harbour a tremendous diversity of Bacteria, Archaea, viruses, fungi, protists and ....