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Microbial life beneath a high arctic glacier.

M L Skidmore1, J M Foght, M J Sharp

  • 1Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. Mark.Skidmore@bristol.ac.uk

Applied and Environmental Microbiology
|August 5, 2000
PubMed
Summary

Microbes thrive in cold, dark Arctic glacier ice, showing activity in unfrozen basal sediments. This discovery suggests subglacial environments may support life and influence carbon cycling, even on Mars.

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Area of Science:

  • Glaciology
  • Microbiology
  • Astrobiology

Background:

  • Debris-rich basal ice layers of high Arctic glaciers harbor microbial life.
  • Subglacial environments beneath glaciers are poorly understood habitats.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the metabolic diversity and activity of microbes in basal ice layers of a high Arctic glacier.
  • To determine if subglacial environments can support microbial life under simulated in situ conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Oligotrophic culturing of microbes at low temperatures (0.3 to 4°C).
  • Metabolic activity assays using radiolabeled sodium acetate.
  • Electron microscopy of subglacial samples.

Main Results:

  • Diverse microbial communities, including aerobic chemoheterotrophs and anaerobic bacteria, were cultured.
  • Metabolic activity was observed in unfrozen basal sediments at 0.3°C in the dark.
  • Microbial cells with various morphologies, including dividing cells, were identified.

Conclusions:

  • Subglacial environments beneath polythermal glaciers can be viable habitats for microbial life.
  • Microbial activity in these environments may significantly impact carbon cycling during glacial periods.
  • These findings offer insights into potential habitats for extraterrestrial life, such as on Mars.

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