02787nas a2200241 4500008004100000245002300041210002300064250000600087300001000093490000700103520220500110653001102315653001702326100001402343700002602357700002002383700002402403700001402427700002102441700002802462700001502490856004002505 2008 eng d00aGlacial ecosystems0 aGlacial ecosystems a1 a41-670 v783 a
There is now compelling evidence that microbially mediated reactions impart a significant effect upon the dynamics, composition, and abundance of nutrients in glacial melt water. Consequently, we must now consider ice masses as ecosystem habitats in their own right and address their diversity, functional potential, and activity as part of alpine and polar environments. Although such research is already underway, its fragmentary nature provides little basis for developing modern concepts of glacier ecology. This paper therefore provides a much-needed framework for development by reviewing the physical, biogeochemical, and microbiological characteristics of microbial habitats that have been identified within glaciers and ice sheets. Two key glacial ecosystems emerge, one inhabiting the glacier surface (the supraglacial ecosystem) and one at the ice-bed interface (the subglacial ecosystem). The supraglacial ecosystem is characterized by a diverse consortium of microbes (usually bacteria, algae, phytoflagellates, fungi, viruses and occasional rotifers, tardigrades, and diatoms) within the snowpack, supraglacial streams, and melt pools (cryoconite holes). The subglacial system is dominated by aerobic/anaerobic bacteria and most probably viruses in basal ice/till mixtures and subglacial lakes. A third, so-called englacial ecosystem is also described, but it is demonstrated that conditions within glacier ice are sufficient to make metabolic activity and its impact upon nutrient dynamics negligible at the glacier scale.
Consideration of the surface and internal heat balances of the glacier show that all glacial ecosystems are sensitive to climate change, although at different timescales. Thus, while rapid, melt-driven habitat changes lead to melt-out, resuscitation, and redistribution of microorganisms in many supraglacial ecosystems, much slower climatic and glacial mass-balance processes effect such changes in the subglacial ecosystem. Paradoxically, it is shown that these forces have brought about net refreezing and the onset of cryostasis in the subglacial ecosystems of many Arctic glaciers subject to thinning in recent decades.
10aBiggie10asnow ecology1 aHodson, A1 aAnesio, Alexandre, M.1 aTranter, Martyn1 aFountain, Andrew, G1 aOsborn, M1 aPriscu, John, C.1 aLaybourn-Parry, Johanna1 aSattler, B uhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1890/07-0187.100558nas a2200145 4500008004100000245008500041210006900126490000800195100002700203700001500230700002200245700001800267700002100285856010600306 2007 eng d00aMetabolic activity and diversity of cryoconites in the Taylor Valley, Antarctica0 aMetabolic activity and diversity of cryoconites in the Taylor Va0 v1121 aForeman, Christine, M.1 aSattler, B1 aMikucki, Jill, A.1 aPorazinska, D1 aPriscu, John, C. uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/metabolic-activity-and-diversity-cryoconites-taylor-valley-antarctica00629nas a2200157 4500008004100000245011500041210006900156300001200225490000700237100002200244700002700266700001500293700001700308700002100325856012500346 2004 eng d00aGeomicrobiology of Blood Fall: An iron-rich saline discharge at the terminus of the Taylor Glacier, Antarctica0 aGeomicrobiology of Blood Fall An ironrich saline discharge at th a199-2000 v101 aMikucki, Jill, A.1 aForeman, Christine, M.1 aSattler, B1 aLyons, Berry1 aPriscu, John, C. uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/geomicrobiology-blood-fall-iron-rich-saline-discharge-terminus-taylor-glacier-antarctica00548nas a2200169 4500008004100000245005100041210005000092260004700142300001200189100001500201700001300216700002100229700001700250700001400267700001500281856008200296 2002 eng d00aExtremophiles: ice ecosystems and biodiversity0 aExtremophiles ice ecosystems and biodiversity aOxfordbUNESCO Publishing-Eolss Publishers a573-5981 aPsenner, R1 aFelip, M1 aPriscu, John, C.1 aWagenbach, D1 aWillie, A1 aSattler, B uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/extremophiles-ice-ecosystems-and-biodiversity00544nas a2200157 4500008004100000245006500041210006500106100001500171700001500186700001400201700002700215700002100242700001300263700001600276856009400292 1999 eng d00aLake ice microbial communities in alpine and Antarctic lakes0 aLake ice microbial communities in alpine and Antarctic lakes1 aPsenner, R1 aSattler, B1 aWillie, A1 aFritsen, Christian, H.1 aPriscu, John, C.1 aFelip, M1 aCatalan, J. uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/lake-ice-microbial-communities-alpine-and-antarctic-lakes