@article {4648, title = {Supporting simultaneous air revitalization and thermal control in a crewed habitat with temperate Chlorella vulgaris and eurythermic Antarctic Chlorophyta}, journal = {Frontiers in Microbiology}, volume = {12}, year = {2021}, month = {08/2021}, pages = {709746}, abstract = {

Including a multifunctional, bioregenerative algal photobioreactor for simultaneous air revitalization and thermal control may aid in carbon loop closure for long-duration surface habitats. However, using water-based algal media as a cabin heat sink may expose the contained culture to a dynamic, low temperature environment. Including psychrotolerant microalgae, native to these temperature regimes, in the photobioreactor may contribute to system stability. This paper assesses the impact of a cycled temperature environment, reflective of spacecraft thermal loops, to the oxygen provision capability of temperate Chlorella vulgaris and eurythermic Antarctic Chlorophyta. The tested 28-min temperature cycles reflected the internal thermal control loops of the International Space Station (C. vulgaris, 9\–27\°C; Chlorophyta-Ant, 4\–14\°C) and included a constant temperature control (10\°C). Both sample types of the cycled temperature condition concluded with increased oxygen production rates (C. vulgaris; initial: 0.013 mgO2 L-1, final: 3.15 mgO2 L\–1 and Chlorophyta-Ant; initial: 0.653 mgO2 L\–1, final: 1.03 mgO2 L\–1) and culture growth, suggesting environmental acclimation. Antarctic sample conditions exhibited increases or sustainment of oxygen production rates normalized by biomass dry weight, while both C. vulgaris sample conditions decreased oxygen production per biomass. However, even with the temperature-induced reduction, cycled temperature C. vulgaris had a significantly higher normalized oxygen production rate than Antarctic Chlorophyta. Chlorophyll fluorometry measurements showed that the cycled temperature conditions did not overly stress both sample types (FV/FM: 0.6\–0.75), but the Antarctic Chlorophyta sample had significantly higher fluorometry readings than its C. vulgaris counterpart (F = 6.26, P \< 0.05). The steady state C. vulgaris condition had significantly lower fluorometry readings than all other conditions (FV/FM: 0.34), suggesting a stressed culture. This study compares the results to similar experiments conducted in steady state or diurnally cycled temperature conditions. Recommendations for surface system implementation are based off the presented results. The preliminary findings imply that both C. vulgaris and Antarctic Chlorophyta can withstand the dynamic temperature environment reflective of a thermal control loop and these data can be used for future design models.

}, keywords = {LTER-MCM, air revitalization, Antarctica, bioregenerative life support systems, Chlorophyta, McMurdo Dry Valleys, thermal control}, doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2021.709746}, url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fmicb.2021.709746}, author = {Matula, Emily E. and Nabity, James A. and Diane M. McKnight} } @article {4463, title = {Silicon isotopes reveal a non-glacial source of silicon to Crescent Stream, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica}, journal = {Frontiers in Earth Science}, volume = {8}, year = {2020}, month = {06/2020}, abstract = {

In high latitude environments, silicon is supplied to river waters by both glacial and non-glacial chemical weathering. The signal of these two end-members is often obscured by biological uptake and/or groundwater input in the river catchment. McMurdo Dry Valleys streams in Antarctica have no deep groundwater input, no connectivity between streams and no surface vegetation cover, and thus provide a simplified system for us to constrain the supply of dissolved silicon (DSi) to rivers from chemical weathering in a glacial environment. Here we report dissolved Si concentrations, germanium/silicon ratios (Ge/Si) and silicon isotope compositions (δ30SiDSi) in Crescent Stream, McMurdo Dry Valleys for samples collected between December and February in the 2014\−2015, 2015\−2016, and 2016\−2017 austral seasons. The δ30SiDSi compositions and DSi concentrations are higher than values reported in wet-based glacial meltwaters, and form a narrow cluster within the range of values reported for permafrost dominated Arctic Rivers. High\ δ30SiDSi\ compositions, ranging from +0.90\‰ to +1.39\‰, are attributed to (i) the precipitation of amorphous silica during freezing of waters in isolated pockets of the hyporheic zone in the winter and the release of Si from unfrozen pockets during meltwater-hyporheic zone exchange in the austral summer, and (ii) additional Si isotope fractionation via long-term Si uptake in clay minerals and seasonal Si uptake into diatoms superimposed on this winter-derived isotope signal. There is no relationship between\ δ30SiDSi\ compositions and DSi concentrations with seasonal and daily discharge, showing that stream waters contain DSi that is in equilibrium with the formation of secondary Si minerals in the hyporheic zone. We show that\ δ30SiDSi\ compositions can be used as tracers of silicate weathering in the hyporheic zone and possible tracers of freeze-thaw conditions in the hyporheic zone. This is important in the context of the ongoing warming in McMurdo Dry Valleys and the supply of more meltwaters to the hyporheic zone of McMurdo Dry Valley streams.

}, keywords = {LTER-MCM}, doi = {10.3389/feart.2020.00229}, url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2020.00229/full}, author = {Hirst, Catherine and Opfergelt, Sophie and Fran{\c c}ois Gaspard and Hendry, Katharine R. and Hatton, Jade E. and Sue Welch and Diane M. McKnight and W. Berry Lyons} } @article {4466, title = {Silicon isotopic composition of dry and wet-based glaciers in Antarctica}, journal = {Frontiers in Earth Science}, volume = {8}, year = {2020}, month = {07/2020}, abstract = {

Glaciers and ice sheets export significant amounts of silicon (Si) to downstream ecosystems, impacting local and potentially global biogeochemical cycles. Recent studies have shown Si in Arctic glacial meltwaters to have an isotopically distinct signature when compared to non-glacial rivers. This is likely linked to subglacial weathering processes and mechanochemical reactions. However, there are currently no silicon isotope (δ30Si) data available from meltwater streams in Antarctica, limiting the current inferences on global glacial silicon isotopic composition and its drivers. To address this gap, we present dissolved silicon (DSi), δ30SiDSi, and major ion data from meltwater streams draining a polythermal glacier in the region of the West Antarctic Peninsula (WAP; King George Island) and a cold-based glacier in East Antarctica [Commonwealth Stream, McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV)]. These data, alongside other global datasets, improve our understanding of how contrasting glacier thermal regime can impact upon Si cycling and therefore the δ30SiDSi composition. We find a similar δ30SiDSi composition between the two sites, with the streams on King George Island varying between -0.23 and +1.23\‰ and the Commonwealth stream varying from -0.40 to +1.14\‰. However, meltwater streams in King George Island have higher DSi concentrations, and the two glacial systems exhibit opposite DSi \– δ30SiDSi trends. These contrasts likely result from differences in weathering processes, specifically the role of subglacial processes (King George Island) and, supraglacial processes followed by in-stream weathering in hyporheic zones (Commonwealth Stream). These findings are important when considering likely changes in nutrient fluxes from Antarctic glaciers under climatic warming scenarios and consequent shifts in glacial thermal regimes.

}, keywords = {LTER-MCM}, doi = {10.3389/feart.2020.00286}, url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2020.00286/full}, author = {Hatton, Jade E. and Hendry, Katharine R. and Hirst, Catherine and Opfergelt, Sophie and Henkel, Susann and Silva-Busso, Adri{\'a}n and Welch, Susan A. and Wadham, Jemma L. and W. Berry Lyons and Bagshaw, Elizabeth and Staubwasser, Michael and Diane M. McKnight} } @article {4107, title = {Spatial and temporal patterns of microbial mats and associated invertebrates along an Antarctic stream}, journal = {Polar Biology}, volume = {41}, year = {2018}, month = {10/2018}, pages = {1911{\textendash}1921}, abstract = {

Microbial biofilms are biological hotspots in many alpine and polar ecosystems, but the controls on and functional significance of their fauna are little known. We studied cyanobacterial mats and the underlying sediment in a glacial meltwater stream in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica. We investigated mat biomass (total and phototrophic), diatoms, and micro-meiofauna (nematodes, rotifers, and tardigrades) at nine sites along a 1670 m stream reach in a cold, low-flow growing season, and in a warmer growing season in which peak flows (above 100 L s\−1) scoured the mats. Diatom and invertebrate communities were not related, but mat biomass in the low-flow year was negatively related to nematode abundance, including that of the omnivore\ Eudorylaimus. In the high-flow year that followed, invertebrate abundance was reduced in the mats, diatom community structure was altered, and mat biomass was higher. The difference in invertebrate abundance between years was greater in mats in upstream reaches, where the greatest increases in flow velocity may have occurred, and was negligible in mats in downstream reaches as well as in the sediment beneath the mats. Integrating our results with previous findings, we generate two predictive hypotheses to be tested in glacial meltwater streams: (1) under peak flows invertebrates decline in the microbial mats, while (2) the sediment beneath the mats is a refuge from the flow disturbance. Our results also suggest that, under stable flow conditions, microinvertebrate grazers could exert top-down control on microbial mat biomass.

}, keywords = {LTER-MCM, diatoms, Disturbance, Dry valleys, Epilithon, Microfauna, Stream flow}, doi = {10.1007/s00300-018-2331-4}, url = {http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s00300-018-2331-4}, author = {Andriuzzi, Walter S. and Lee F. Stanish and Breana L. Simmons and Chris Jaros and Byron Adams and Diana H. Wall and Diane M. McKnight} } @article {3875, title = {Stream biogeochemical and suspended sediment responses to permafrost degradation in stream banks in Taylor Valley, Antarctica}, journal = {Biogeosciences}, volume = {13}, year = {2016}, month = {03/2016}, pages = {1723 - 1732}, abstract = {

\ Stream channels in the McMurdo Dry Valleys are characteristically wide, incised, and stable. At typical flows, streams occupy a fraction of the oversized channels, providing habitat for algal mats. In January 2012, we discovered substantial channel erosion and subsurface thermomechanical erosion undercutting banks of the Crescent Stream. We sampled stream water along the impacted reach and compared concentrations of solutes to the long-term data from this stream (\ \∼\  20 years of monitoring). Thermokarst-impacted stream water demonstrated higher electrical conductivity, and concentrations of chloride, sulfate, sodium, and nitrate than the long-term medians. These results suggest that this mode of lateral permafrost degradation may substantially impact stream solute loads and potentially fertilize stream and lake ecosystems. The potential for sediment to scour or bury stream algal mats is yet to be determined, though it may offset impacts of associated increased nutrient loads to streams.

}, keywords = {LTER-MCM}, doi = {10.5194/bg-13-1723-2016}, url = {http://www.biogeosciences.net/13/1723/2016/bg-13-1723-2016.pdf}, author = {Michael N. Gooseff and David J. Van Horn and Sudman, Zachary and Diane M. McKnight and Kathleen A. Welch and W. Berry Lyons} } @article {1129, title = {Simulating unsteady flow, anabranching, and hyporheic dynamics in a glacial meltwater stream using a coupled surface water routing and groundwater flow model}, journal = {Water Resources Research}, volume = {47}, year = {2011}, month = {2011}, keywords = {LTER-MCM}, doi = {10.1029/2010WR009508}, author = {Koch, J. and Diane M. McKnight and Neupauer, R. M.} } @book {1146, title = {Spectral Methods to Advance Understanding of Dissolved Organic Carbon Dynamics in Forested Catchments}, series = {Ecological StudiesForest Hydrology and Biogeochemistry}, volume = {216}, year = {2011}, pages = {117 - 135}, publisher = {Springer Netherlands}, organization = {Springer Netherlands}, address = {Dordrecht}, keywords = {LTER-MCM}, isbn = {978-94-007-1363-5}, doi = {10.1007/978-94-007-1363-5_6}, url = {http://www.springerlink.com/content/lv9365ml54192m29/}, author = {Rose M. Cory and Elizabeth W. Boyer and Diane M. McKnight}, editor = {Levia, Delphis F. and Carlyle-Moses, Darryl and Tanaka, Tadashi} } @article {1154, title = {Spatial variations in the geochemistry of glacial meltwater streams in the Taylor Valley, Antarctica}, journal = {Antarctic Science}, volume = {22}, year = {2010}, month = {12/2010}, pages = {662 - 672}, keywords = {LTER-MCM}, doi = {10.1017/S0954102010000702}, url = {http://www.montana.edu/lkbonney/DOCS/Publications/WelchEtAl2010Geochemistry.pdf}, author = {Kathleen A. Welch and W. Berry Lyons and Whisner, Carla and Christopher B. Gardner and Michael N. Gooseff and Diane M. McKnight and John C. Priscu} } @article {1275, title = {Spatial and temporal active layer dynamics along three glacial meltwater streams in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica}, journal = {Arctic Antarctic and Alpine Research}, volume = {38}, year = {2006}, pages = {42-53}, keywords = {LTER-MCM}, doi = {LTER}, author = {Peter A. Conovitz and Lee H. MacDonald and Diane M. McKnight} } @article {1258, title = {A stable isotopic investigation of a polar desert hydrologic system, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica}, journal = {Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research}, volume = {38}, year = {2006}, month = {02/2006}, pages = {60-71}, keywords = {LTER-MCM}, doi = {10.1657/1523-0430(2006)038[0060:ASIIOA]2.0.CO;2}, author = {Michael N. Gooseff and W. Berry Lyons and Diane M. McKnight and Bruce H. Vaughn and Andrew G Fountain and Carolyn Dowling} } @article {1288, title = {Sensitivity analysis of conservative and reactive stream transient storage models applied to field data from multiple-reach experiments}, journal = {Advances in Water Resources}, volume = {28}, year = {2005}, month = {05/2005}, pages = {479-492}, keywords = {LTER-MCM}, doi = {10.1016/j.advwatres.2004.11.012}, author = {Michael N. Gooseff and Kenneth E. Bencala and Durelle T. Scott and Robert L. Runkel and Diane M. McKnight} } @article {1369, title = {Surface glaciochemistry of Taylor Valley, southern Victoria Land, Antarctica and its relationship to stream chemistry.}, journal = {Hydrological Processes}, volume = {17}, year = {2003}, pages = {115-130}, keywords = {LTER-MCM}, author = {W. Berry Lyons and Kathleen A. Welch and Andrew G Fountain and Gayle L. Dana and Bruce H. Vaughn and Diane M. McKnight} } @article {1408, title = {Spectrofluorometric characterization of aquatic fulvic acid for determination of precursor organic material and general structural properties.}, journal = {Limnology and Oceanography}, volume = {46}, year = {2001}, pages = {38-48}, keywords = {LTER-MCM}, author = {Diane M. McKnight and Elizabeth W. Boyer and Paul K. Westerhoff and Peter T. Doran and Thomas Kulbe and Dale T. Andersen} } @article {1421, title = {Stratification and dynamics of microbial loop communities in Lake Fryxell, Antarctica}, journal = {Freshwater Biology}, volume = {44}, year = {2000}, month = {12/2001}, pages = {649-661}, type = {Journal}, keywords = {LTER-MCM, Biggie, protozoa}, doi = {10.1046/j.1365-2427.2000.00612.x}, url = {http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1365-2427.2000.00612.x/abstract}, author = {Emily C. Roberts and Johanna Laybourn-Parry and Diane M. McKnight and Novarino, G} } @inbook {1564, title = {Species composition and primary production of algal communities in Dry Valley streams in Antarctica: Examination of the functional role of biodiversity}, booktitle = {Ecosystem Processes in Antarctic Ice-free Landscapes}, year = {1997}, pages = {171-179}, publisher = {Balkema Press, Rotterdam}, organization = {Balkema Press, Rotterdam}, keywords = {LTER-MCM}, author = {Dev K. Niyogi and Cathy M. Tate and Diane M. McKnight and John H. Duff and Alexander S. Alger} } @article {1606, title = {Streamflow, water-temperature, and specific-conductance data for selected streams draining into Lake Fryxell, Lower Taylor Valley, Victoria Land, Antarctica, 1990-92}, journal = {U.S. Geological Survey. Open-File Report 94-545}, year = {1995}, keywords = {LTER-MCM}, author = {Paul Von Guerard and Diane M. McKnight and Richard A. Harnish and J. W. Gartner and Edmund D. Andrews} }