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Microbial abundance and community structure in a melting alpine snowpack
Anna Lazzaro1, Andrea Wismer, Martin Schneebeli
1Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zurich, Universitätstrasse 16, CHN G50.4, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland, anna.lazzaro@env.ethz.ch.
Extremophiles : Life Under Extreme Conditions
|March 19, 2015
Summary
Snowmelt redistributes microbes and ions in alpine snowpacks. Microbial communities varied by location, not depth, highlighting snowmelt
Area of Science:
- Alpine ecology
- Snow science
- Microbiology
Background:
- Snowmelt is vital for alpine soil ecosystems, supplying nutrients and microorganisms.
- Snow-dwelling microbes are an important source for soil microbial communities but are understudied.
- Understanding microbial distribution in snowpacks is key to comprehending snowmelt processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distribution and structure of microbial communities within alpine snow profiles.
- To correlate microbial community composition with snowpack physical properties during snowmelt.
- To assess the role of meltwater in redistributing solutes and microbes.
Main Methods:
- Snow samples collected from profiles at four alpine sites in Switzerland.
- Microbial community analysis using T-RFLP profiling of 16S and 18S rRNA genes (Bacteria, Fungi).
- Assessment of snow physical (density) and chemical (DOC, ions) parameters.
Main Results:
- Microbial cell abundance and diversity showed no significant changes with snow depth.
- Archaea were not detected in the snow samples.
- Significant differences in microbial communities were observed between different study sites.
- Meltwater was found to rearrange soluble ions and microbial communities within the snowpack.
Conclusions:
- Snowpack depth does not significantly influence microbial abundance or diversity.
- Site-specific factors, rather than depth, drive microbial community structure in snow.
- Meltwater dynamics play a crucial role in the spatial redistribution of solutes and microorganisms during snowmelt.
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