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Microbial diversity and activity in hypersaline high Arctic spring channels
Chih-Ying Lay1, Nadia C S Mykytczuk, Thomas D Niederberger
1Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
Extremophiles : Life Under Extreme Conditions
|January 17, 2012
Summary
The Lost Hammer spring
Area of Science:
- Arctic microbiology
- Geochemistry
- Permafrost environments
Background:
- The Lost Hammer (LH) spring is a unique hypersaline, subzero, perennial high Arctic spring.
- It emerges through thick permafrost, creating distinct outflow channels.
- These channels remain unfrozen at temperatures as low as -18°C and are less reducing than the spring source.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the microbial and geochemical characteristics of the LH outflow channels.
- To compare the channel environment with the previously studied spring source.
- To understand microbial activity and diversity in a subzero, hypersaline Arctic environment.
Main Methods:
- 16S rRNA gene sequencing for microbial community analysis.
- Geochemical analysis of spring and channel environments.
- Acetate mineralization assays at various subzero temperatures.
- Isolation and characterization of psychrotrophic, halotolerant bacteria.
Main Results:
- LH channel sediments exhibited ~100-fold greater microbial biomass and diversity compared to the spring source.
- Bacterial communities included phylotypes involved in methanogenesis, methanotrophy, and sulfur cycling.
- Archaeal communities were dominated by ammonia-oxidizing Thaumarchaeota.
- Acetate mineralization was highest at 5°C and -5°C, decreasing sharply at -10°C.
- Isolated bacteria (Marinobacter, Planococcus, Nesterenkonia spp.) demonstrated psychrotrophic and halotolerant growth capabilities.
Conclusions:
- The hypersaline, subzero LH spring channel supports higher microbial diversity and activity than the spring source.
- The dynamic and heterogeneous channel environment fosters a variety of microbial niches.
- These findings highlight the adaptability of microbial life in extreme Arctic conditions.
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