01444nas a2200169 4500008004100000245007800041210006900119260004000188300001400228520083000242100002601072700002001098700002401118700001801142700002101160856009301181 2025 eng d00aAntarctic mosaic: Mixing methods and metaphors in the McMurdo Dry Valleys0 aAntarctic mosaic Mixing methods and metaphors in the McMurdo Dry aCambridge, UKbOpen Book Publishers a355 - 3763 a

Different methods use different metaphors, and the way we write can reflect our underlying philosophical assumptions, positionalities, and values. To mix methods, it follows, is also in a very tangible sense to mix metaphors. In this chapter, we use the metaphor of a mosaic, as well as several others, to help us reflect on our experiences of working together on a decade-long historical research project about the McMurdo Dry Valleys Long Term Ecological Research site in East Antarctica. We describe our process of ‘going with the flow’, using whichever methods we thought might help produce insights. We also describe the challenges and benefits of collaboratively writing together and offer several practical takeaways that may be useful for others conducting interdisciplinary mixed-methods research.

1 aChignell, Stephen, M.1 aHowkins, Adrian1 aFountain, Andrew, G1 aLave, Rebecca1 aLane, Stuart, N. uhttps://www.openbookpublishers.com/books/10.11647/obp.0418/chapters/10.11647/obp.0418.1802706nas a2200481 4500008004100000245003700041210003700078260001200115520135400127100002401481700002001505700002801525700002001553700002001573700002201593700002501615700001601640700001901656700002001675700002601695700001901721700002001740700002601760700002901786700001901815700002401834700001801858700002401876700002401900700002801924700002401952700001101976700001901987700003402006700002702040700001602067700002402083700001402107700001302121700001602134700001902150856005502169 2025 eng d00aAtmospheric rivers in Antarctica0 aAtmospheric rivers in Antarctica c02/20253 a

Antarctic atmospheric rivers (ARs) are a form of extreme weather that transport heat and moisture from the Southern Hemisphere subtropics and/or mid-latitudes to the Antarctic continent. Present-day AR events generally have a positive influence on the Antarctic ice-sheet mass balance by producing heavy snowfall, yet they also cause melt of sea ice and coastal ice sheet areas, as well as ice shelf destabilization. In this Review, we explore the atmospheric dynamics and impacts of Antarctic ARs over their life cycle to better understand their net contributions to ice-sheet mass balance. ARs occur in high-amplitude pressure couplets, and those strong enough to reach the Antarctic are often formed within Rossby waves initiated by tropical convection. Antarctic ARs are rare events (~3 days per year per location) but have been responsible for 50–70% of extreme snowfall events in East Antarctica since the 1980s. However, they can also trigger extensive surface melting events, such as the final ice shelf collapse of Larsen A in 1995 and Larsen B in 2002. Climate change will likely cause stronger ARs as anthropogenic warming increases atmospheric water vapour. Future research must determine how these climate change impacts will alter the relationship among Antarctic ARs, net ice-sheet mass balance and future sea-level rise.

1 aWille, Jonathan, D.1 aFavier, Vincent1 aGorodetskaya, Irina, V.1 aAgosta, Cécile1 aBaiman, Rebecca1 aBarrett, John, E.1 aBarthelemy, Léonard1 aBoza, Burcu1 aBozkurt, Deniz1 aCasado, Mathieu1 aChyhareva, Anastasiia1 aClem, Kyle, R.1 aCodron, Francis1 aDatta, Rajashree, Tri1 aDurán-Alarcón, Claudio1 aFrancis, Diana1 aHoffman, Andrew, O.1 aKolbe, Marlen1 aKrakovska, Svitlana1 aLinscott, Gabrielle1 aMaclennan, Michelle, L.1 aMattingly, Kyle, S.1 aMu, Ye1 aPohl, Benjamin1 aSantos, Christophe, Leroy-Dos1 aShields, Christine, A.1 aToker, Emir1 aWinters, Andrew, C.1 aYin, Ziqi1 aZou, Xun1 aZhang, Chen1 aZhang, Zhenhai uhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s43017-024-00638-702098nas a2200181 4500008004100000022001400041245014900055210006900204260001200273490000700285520143900292100002101731700002201752700002501774700002001799700002601819856007101845 2024 eng d a1523-043000aAn analysis of McMurdo Dry Valleys’ lotic habitats within Antarctica’s protected area network and addressing gaps in biodiversity protection0 aanalysis of McMurdo Dry Valleys lotic habitats within Antarctica c08/20240 v563 a

The McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV), Antarctica’s largest ice-free region, hosts unique terrestrial ecosystems, with biodiversity concentrated in the aquatic environments and surrounding soils. Despite being a scientific hub, the creation of the MDV Antarctic Specially Managed Area (ASMA) made significant steps toward protecting the environment from degradation from human usage. However, with sustained human presence within the MDV, increasing human activity across Antarctica, and aquatic ecosystems subject to environmental change, the effectiveness of current protections for biodiversity conservation requires evaluation. This study employs spatial analysis of MDV protected areas, streams, lakes, research camps, and tourist sites to assess the robustness of current protections, identify underprotected areas, and outline steps for future protection. Within the MDV ASMA, five smaller Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPAs) exist. Only two ASPAs contain streams, and only one with a full hydrologic catchment. With roughly 6% of the lotic habitat area protected by ASPAs, the MDV fall short of global goals for freshwater protection. Past successful management of the MDV shows the effectiveness of collaboration and early action, and amongst calls for ASPA network expansion and restructuring, the MDV has the opportunity to be at the forefront again and increase the protection of Antarctic aquatic ecosystems.

1 aWright, Anna, T.1 aBrooks, Cassandra1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aHowkins, Adrian1 aChignell, Stephen, M. uhttps://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15230430.2024.237517602343nas a2200217 4500008004100000245011300041210006900154260001200223490000700235520161700242653001501859653001301874653001401887653001701901653001001918100002401928700002901952700001601981700003301997856009502030 2024 eng d00aAntarctic lake viromes reveal potential virus associated influences on nutrient cycling in ice-covered lakes0 aAntarctic lake viromes reveal potential virus associated influen c09/20240 v153 a

The McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDVs) of Antarctica are a mosaic of extreme habitats which are dominated by microbial life. The MDVs include glacial melt holes, streams, lakes, and soils, which are interconnected through the transfer of energy and flux of inorganic and organic material via wind and hydrology. For the first time, we provide new data on the viral community structure and function in the MDVs through metagenomics of the planktonic and benthic mat communities of Lakes Bonney and Fryxell. Viral taxonomic diversity was compared across lakes and ecological function was investigated by characterizing auxiliary metabolic genes (AMGs) and predicting viral hosts. Our data suggest that viral communities differed between the lakes and among sites: these differences were connected to microbial host communities. AMGs were associated with the potential augmentation of multiple biogeochemical processes in host, most notably with phosphorus acquisition, organic nitrogen acquisition, sulfur oxidation, and photosynthesis. Viral genome abundances containing AMGs differed between the lakes and microbial mats, indicating site specialization. Using procrustes analysis, we also identified significant coupling between viral and bacterial communities (p = 0.001). Finally, host predictions indicate viral host preference among the assembled viromes. Collectively, our data show that: (i) viruses are uniquely distributed through the McMurdo Dry Valley lakes, (ii) their AMGs can contribute to overcoming host nutrient limitation and, (iii) viral and bacterial MDV communities are tightly coupled.

10aAntarctica10abacteria10alimnology10ametagenomics10avirus1 aRobinson, David, M.1 aMorgan-Kiss, Rachael, M.1 aWang, Zhong1 aTakacs-Vesbach, Cristina, D. uhttps://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2024.1422941/full03078nas a2200241 4500008004100000022001300041245011000054210006900164260001200233300001100245490000800256520229200264653002502556653002602581653002802607653002502635653002702660653001802687100001302705700002502718700002102743856007202764 2024 eng d a0929139300aAn Antarctic worm and its soil ecosystem: A review of an emerging research program in ecological genomics0 aAntarctic worm and its soil ecosystem A review of an emerging re c01/2024 a1051100 v1933 a

Relationships between the evolution of species and their ecosystems can be difficult to accurately assess due to the high number of confounding biological variables (e.g., biotic interactions among community members and the resulting complex relationships between genetic pathways and organism phenotypes). Thus, progress in ecological genomics by making inferences about fundamental ecological patterns and processes is hampered by high biodiversity and subsequent complex biotic interactions. Study systems that are naturally low in biological and ecological complexity, and strongly structured by abiotic drivers, can serve as models for bridging the gap between controlled mesocosm experiments and natural ecosystems. The terrestrial ecosystems of the Antarctic dry valleys have low biodiversity and constrained ecological complexity, primarily because ecological communities are so strongly shaped by physical, rather than biological, factors. The harsh constraints of the physical environment on organismal evolution and the structure of ecological communities make this an optimal natural system for disentangling the influence of specific environmental parameters on genotype/phenotype and gene by environment interactions. This work reviews the biology, evolution, and ecology of an emerging model organism, the free-living nematode Plectus murrayi, in a model ecosystem, the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDVs) of Antarctica. In the MDVs, habitat suitability, including nutrient availability, has been shown to drive organismal (nematode) life history evolution, including growth and reproduction, primarily by way of changes in the expression of developmental genes. Changes in growth rates and reproductive schedules are accomplished primarily through alterations of nuclear rRNA gene copy number. The predicted and observed responses to natural experiments have been replicated in the laboratory, providing a synthesis of field observations and experimental evolution. Studying such natural model systems as this could fill several persistent knowledge gaps in our understanding of how genetic variation, genomic architecture, and gene regulation drive the genotype-phenotype paradigm, and the consequent effects of these drivers on ecosystem structure and functioning.

10aecological amplitude10aecological succession10aelemental stoichiometry10aextreme environments10alife history evolution10amodel systems1 aXue, Xia1 aThompson, Andrew, R.1 aAdams, Byron, J. uhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S092913932300308602859nas a2200181 4500008004100000245009200041210006900133260001200202300001400214490000700228520227800235100002002513700002502533700002402558700002102582700002002603856005402623 2024 eng d00aThe application and modification of WRF-Hydro/Glacier to a cold-based Antarctic glacier0 aapplication and modification of WRFHydroGlacier to a coldbased A c02/2024 a459 - 4780 v283 a

The McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV) are home to a unique microbial ecosystem that is dependent on the availability of freshwater. This is a polar desert and freshwater originates almost entirely from surface and near-surface melt of the cold-based glaciers. Understanding the future evolution of these environments requires the simulation of the full chain of physical processes from net radiative forcing, surface energy balance, melt, runoff and transport of meltwater in stream channels from the glaciers to the terminal lakes where the microbial community resides. To establish a new framework to do this, we present the first application of WRF-Hydro/Glacier in the MDV, which as a fully distributed hydrological model has the capability to resolve the streams from the glaciers to the bare land that surround them. Given that meltwater generation in the MDV is almost entirely dependent on small changes in the energy balance of the glaciers, the aim of this study is to optimize the multi-layer snowpack scheme that is embedded in WRF-Hydro/Glacier to ensure that the feedbacks between albedo, snowfall and melt are fully resolved. To achieve this, WRF-Hydro/Glacier is implemented at a point scale using automatic weather station data on Commonwealth Glacier to physically model the onset, duration and end of melt over a 7-month period (1 August 2021 to 28 February 2022). To resolve the limited energetics controlling melt, it was necessary to (1) limit the percolation of meltwater through the ice layers in the multi-layer snowpack scheme and (2) optimize the parameters controlling the albedo of both snow and ice over the melt season based on observed spectral signatures of albedo. These modifications enabled the variability of broadband albedo over the melt season to be accurately simulated and ensured that modelled surface and near-surface temperatures, surface height change and runoff were fully resolved. By establishing a new framework that couples a detailed snowpack model to a fully distributed hydrological model, this work provides a stepping stone to model the spatial and temporal variability of melt and streamflow in the future, which will enable some of the unknown questions about the hydrological connectivity of the MDV to be answered.

1 aPletzer, Tamara1 aConway, Jonathan, P.1 aCullen, Nicolas, J.1 aEidhammer, Trude1 aKaturji, Marwan uhttps://hess.copernicus.org/articles/28/459/2024/01137nas a2200193 4500008004100000245005600041210005300097260001200150300001100162490000700173520056500180100002100745700001800766700001400784700002300798700002900821700002600850856006700876 2022 eng d00aAn Antarctic alga that can survive the extreme cold0 aAntarctic alga that can survive the extreme cold c05/2022 a7408380 v103 a

Microscopic algae are tougher than you might think. Some can even survive the extreme cold. In this article, we describe one of the coolest algae of all, the Antarctic green alga called Chlamydomonas sp. UWO241. This one-celled super-organism lives deep in the frigid waters of a remote and permanently ice-covered lake in Antarctica. How does this little alga thrive in such a barren and unwelcoming place? Well, dive into this article to learn how studying the genome of UWO241 is helping scientists better understand this amazingly hardy alga.

1 aSmith, David, R.1 aLeung, Arthur1 aZhang, Xi1 aCvetkovska, Marina1 aMorgan-Kiss, Rachael, M.1 aHüner, Norman, P. A. uhttps://kids.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frym.2022.74083802039nas a2200169 4500008004100000245013000041210007100171260001200242520142300254100002601677700001601703700001201719700002401731700002101755700002901776856006401805 2022 eng d00aAntarctic lake phytoplankton and bacteria from near‐surface waters exhibit high sensitivity to climate‐driven disturbance0 aAntarctic lake phytoplankton and bacteria from near‐surface wate c07/20223 a

The McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDVs), Antarctica, represent a cold, desert ecosystem poised on the threshold of melting and freezing water. The MDVs have experienced dramatic signs of climatic change, most notably a warm austral summer in 2001–2002 that caused widespread flooding, partial ice cover loss and lake level rise. To understand the impact of these climatic disturbances on lake microbial communities, we simulated lake level rise and ice-cover loss by transplanting dialysis-bagged communities from selected depths to other locations in the water column or to an open water perimeter moat. Bacteria and eukaryote communities residing in the surface waters (5 m) exhibited shifts in community composition when exposed to either disturbance, while microbial communities from below the surface were largely unaffected by the transplant. We also observed an accumulation of labile dissolved organic carbon in the transplanted surface communities. In addition, there were taxa-specific sensitivities: cryptophytes and Actinobacteria were highly sensitive particularly to the moat transplant, while chlorophytes and several bacterial taxa increased in relative abundance or were unaffected. Our results reveal that future climate-driven disturbances will likely undermine the stability and productivity of MDV lake phytoplankton and bacterial communities in the surface waters of this extreme environment.

1 aSherwell, Shasten, S.1 aKalra, Isha1 aLi, Wei1 aMcKnight, Diane, M.1 aPriscu, John, C.1 aMorgan-Kiss, Rachael, M. uhttps://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1462-2920.1611302206nas a2200229 4500008004100000022001400041245015000055210006900205260001200274300001400286490000700300520141400307653001801721653001501739653001801754100002101772700001601793700001901809700002901828700002601857856009301883 2022 eng d a0954-102000aAntibiotic resistance genes and taxa analysis from mat and planktonic microbiomes of Antarctic perennial ice-covered Lake Fryxell and Lake Bonney0 aAntibiotic resistance genes and taxa analysis from mat and plank c12/2022 a408 - 4220 v343 a

The perennial ice-covered lakes of the Antarctic McMurdo Dry Valleys harbour oligotrophic microbial communities that are separated geographically from other aquatic systems. Their microbiomes include planktonic microbes as well as lift-off mat communities that emerge from the ice. We used the ShortBRED protein family profiler to quantify the antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) from metagenomes of lift-off mats emerging from ice and from filtered water samples of Lake Fryxell and Lake Bonney. The overall proportion of ARG hits was similar to that found in temperate-zone rural ponds with moderate human inputs. Specific ARGs showed distinct distributions for the two lakes and for mat vs planktonic sources. Metagenomic taxa distributions showed that mat phototrophs consisted mainly of cyanobacteria or Betaproteobacteria, whereas the water column phototrophs were mainly protists. An enrichment culture of the Betaproteobacterium Rhodoferax antarcticus from a Lake Fryxell mat sample showed an unusual mat-forming phenotype not previously reported for this species. Its genome showed no ARGs associated with Betaproteobacteria but had ARGs consistent with a minor Pseudomonas component. The Antarctic lake mats and water showed specific ARGs distinctive to the mat and water sources, but overall ARG levels were similar to those of temperate water bodies with moderate human inputs.

10amicrobial mat10aRhodoferax10aTaylor Valley1 aTallada, Sheetal1 aHall, Grant1 aBarich, Daniel1 aMorgan-Kiss, Rachael, M.1 aSlonczewski, Joan, L. uhttps://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0954102022000360/type/journal_article03115nas a2200517 4500008004100000245008300041210006900124260001200193520161800205653001501823653002101838653002601859653001901885653001301904653001701917653002401934653002301958653001701981653001201998100001702010700001802027700002202045700002102067700002002088700003002108700002102138700002402159700002102183700002302204700001502227700001802242700002102260700002302281700002202304700002002326700002302346700002402369700001602393700002302409700002402432700002102456700001902477700001802496700002002514856006302534 2021 eng d00aAntarctic ecosystems in transition – life between stresses and opportunities0 aAntarctic ecosystems in transition life between stresses and opp c06/20213 a

Important findings from the second decade of the 21st century on the impact of environmental change on biological processes in the Antarctic were synthesised by 26 international experts. Ten key messages emerged that have stakeholder‐relevance and/or a high impact for the scientific community. They address (i) altered biogeochemical cycles, (ii) ocean acidification, (iii) climate change hotspots, (iv) unexpected dynamism in seabed‐dwelling populations, (v) spatial range shifts, (vi) adaptation and thermal resilience, (vii) sea ice related biological fluctuations, (viii) pollution, (ix) endangered terrestrial endemism and (x) the discovery of unknown habitats. Most Antarctic biotas are exposed to multiple stresses and considered vulnerable to environmental change due to narrow tolerance ranges, rapid change, projected circumpolar impacts, low potential for timely genetic adaptation, and migration barriers. Important ecosystem functions, such as primary production and energy transfer between trophic levels, have already changed, and biodiversity patterns have shifted. A confidence assessment of the degree of ‘scientific understanding’ revealed an intermediate level for most of the more detailed sub‐messages, indicating that process‐oriented research has been successful in the past decade. Additional efforts are necessary, however, to achieve the level of robustness in scientific knowledge that is required to inform protection measures of the unique Antarctic terrestrial and marine ecosystems, and their contributions to global biodiversity and ecosystem services.

10aadaptation10abenthic dynamism10abiogeochemical cycles10aclimate change10ainvasion10anew habitats10aocean acidification10aPrimary production10arange shifts10asea ice1 aGutt, Julian1 aIsla, Enrique1 aXavier, José, C.1 aAdams, Byron, J.1 aAhn, In‐Young1 aCheng, C.‐H., Christina1 aColesie, Claudia1 aCummings, Vonda, J.1 adi Prisco, Guido1 aGriffiths, Huw, J.1 aHawes, Ian1 aHogg, Ian, D.1 aMcIntyre, Trevor1 aMeiners, Klaus, M.1 aPearce, David, A.1 aPeck, Lloyd, S.1 aPiepenburg, Dieter1 aReisinger, Ryan, R.1 aSaba, Grace1 aSchloss, Irene, R.1 aSignori, Camila, N.1 aSmith, Craig, R.1 aVacchi, Marino1 aVerde, Cinzia1 aWall, Diana, H. uhttps://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/brv.1267902600nas a2200217 4500008004100000245010600041210006900147260001200216490000700228520191500235653001502150653001802165653001602183653002202199653001702221100002202238700001702260700002102277700001702298856006702315 2021 eng d00aAntarctic water tracks: Microbial community responses to variation in soil moisture, pH, and salinity0 aAntarctic water tracks Microbial community responses to variatio c01/20210 v123 a

Ice-free soils in the McMurdo Dry Valleys select for taxa able to cope with challenging environmental conditions, including extreme chemical water activity gradients, freeze-thaw cycling, desiccation, and solar radiation regimes. The low biotic complexity of Dry Valley soils makes them well suited to investigate environmental and spatial influences on bacterial community structure. Water tracks are annually wetted habitats in the cold-arid soils of Antarctica that form briefly each summer with moisture sourced from snow melt, ground ice thaw, and atmospheric deposition via deliquescence and vapor flow into brines. Compared to neighboring arid soils, water tracks are highly saline and relatively moist habitats. They represent a considerable area (∼5–10 km2) of the Dry Valley terrestrial ecosystem, an area that is expected to increase with ongoing climate change. The goal of this study was to determine how variation in the environmental conditions of water tracks influences the composition and diversity of microbial communities. We found significant differences in microbial community composition between on- and off-water track samples, and across two distinct locations. Of the tested environmental variables, soil salinity was the best predictor of community composition, with members of the Bacteroidetes phylum being relatively more abundant at higher salinities and the Actinobacteria phylum showing the opposite pattern. There was also a significant, inverse relationship between salinity and bacterial diversity. Our results suggest water track formation significantly alters dry soil microbial communities, likely influencing subsequent ecosystem functioning. We highlight how Dry Valley water tracks could be a useful model system for understanding the potential habitability of transiently wetted environments found on the surface of Mars.

10aAntarctica10aextremophiles10aMars analog10amicrobial ecology10awater tracks1 aGeorge, Scott, F.1 aFierer, Noah1 aLevy, Joseph, S.1 aAdams, Byron uhttps://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2021.61673000482nas a2200133 4500008004100000022001400041245011100055210006900166260001200235300001400247490000700261100001500268856006500283 2021 eng d a0006-356800aAntarctica during the Pandemic: Scaled-back field season prioritizes infrastructure, precious climate data0 aAntarctica during the Pandemic Scaledback field season prioritiz c05/2021 a434 - 4400 v711 aMayer, Amy uhttps://academic.oup.com/bioscience/article/71/5/434/618880002509nas a2200205 4500008004100000245012600041210006900167260005300236490000900289520180200298653002502100653001502125653001702140653002402157653002002181653002302201100002502224700001702249856003702266 2020 eng d00aAnalysis of acid-leachable barium, copper, iron, lead, & zinc concentrations in Taylor Valley, Antarctic stream sediments0 aAnalysis of acidleachable barium copper iron lead zinc concentra aColumbus, OHbThe Ohio State Universityc05/20200 vB.S.3 a

The purpose of this study is to assess the concentrations of Barium (Ba), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Lead (Pb), and Zinc (Zn) in sediment samples obtained from the Wales and Commonwealth streams located in Taylor Valley, Antarctica. These samples were collected at seven sample sites (three in Wales Glacier and four in Commonwealth Glacier) in 0 to 2 cm, 2 to 4 cm, 4 to 6 cm, and 6 to 8 cm depth increments which resulted in 28 total samples. After the collection process, these samples underwent a volumetric 1:5 sediment: 10% HCl leach for 48 hours, filtration through 4-µm pore-size, cellulose acetate membrane filters, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analyses in the Trace Element Research Laboratory at The Ohio State University. Upon completion of the analyses, results showed that the Wales samples had a higher average concentration of every metal element overall and at each depth increment when compared to the Commonwealth samples. In addition to the weak-acid leachate metal analyses, a second aliquot of one sediment profile from each stream was analyzed at Villanova University for the 210Pb activity via gamma spectroscopy. This was done to estimate the sedimentation rates at each of these sites. From the sedimentation rates, sedimentation fluxes were calculated for each element for each sediment profile at each of these sites. The data demonstrated that Fe is the most abundant element while Pb is the least abundant. Lastly, upon examination of results, it was found that the concentrations of these metals are often higher in samples collected closer to the surface. These findings suggest these streams, and their sources, have had little, if any, impact by anthropogenic input of metals, and that metal fluxes to the sediments are low.

10aacid-leachable metal10aAntarctica10ageochemistry10aMcMurdo Dry Valleys10apolar sediments10asedimentation rate1 aPiergallini, Brianna1 aLyons, Berry uhttp://hdl.handle.net/1811/9177202684nas a2200265 4500008004100000022001400041245014900055210006900204260001200273490000600285520185300291653001502144653002502159653000902184653001802193653001702211100001502228700001802243700001602261700001202277700001402289700002102303700002902324856006502353 2019 eng d a0166-859500aThe Antarctic psychrophiles Chlamydomonas spp. UWO241 and ICE-MDV exhibit differential restructuring of photosystem I in response to iron0 aAntarctic psychrophiles iChlamydomonasi spp UWO241 and ICEMDV ex c02/20190 v93 a

Chlamydomonas sp. UWO241 is a psychrophilic alga isolated from the deep photic zone of a perennially ice-covered Antarctic lake (east lobe Lake Bonney, ELB). Past studies have shown that C. sp. UWO241 exhibits constitutive downregulation of photosystem I (PSI) and high rates of PSI-associated cyclic electron flow (CEF). Iron levels in ELB are in the nanomolar range leading us to hypothesize that the unusual PSI phenotype of C. sp. UWO241 could be a response to chronic Fe-deficiency. We studied the impact of Fe availability in C. sp. UWO241, a mesophile, C. reinhardtii SAG11-32c, as well as a psychrophile isolated from the shallow photic zone of ELB, Chlamydomonas sp. ICE-MDV. Under Fe-deficiency, PsaA abundance and levels of photooxidizable P700 (ΔA820/A820) were reduced in both psychrophiles relative to the mesophile. Upon increasing Fe, C. sp. ICE-MDV and C. reinhardtii exhibited restoration of PSI function, while C. sp. UWO241 exhibited only moderate changes in PSI activity and lacked almost all LHCI proteins. Relative to Fe-excess conditions (200 μM Fe2+), C. sp. UWO241 grown in 18 μM Fe2+ exhibited downregulation of light harvesting and photosystem core proteins, as well as upregulation of a bestrophin-like anion channel protein and two CEF-associated proteins (NdsS, PGL1). Key enzymes of starch synthesis and shikimate biosynthesis were also upregulated. We conclude that in response to variable Fe availability, the psychrophile C. sp. UWO241 exhibits physiological plasticity which includes restructuring of the photo-chemical apparatus, increased PSI-associated CEF, and shifts in downstream carbon metabolism toward storage carbon and secondary stress metabolites.

10aAntarctica10aCyclic electron flow10aIron10aPhotosystem I10aPsychrophile1 aCook, Greg1 aTeufel, Amber1 aKalra, Isha1 aLi, Wei1 aWang, Xin1 aPriscu, John, C.1 aMorgan-Kiss, Rachael, M. uhttps://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11120-019-00621-002534nas a2200229 4500008004100000245010900041210006900150260001200219300001600231490000800247520179600255100002102051700001702072700002402089700001502113700002302128700001902151700002402170700001902194700001702213856007402230 2018 eng d00aAeolian material transport and its role in landscape connectivity in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica0 aAeolian material transport and its role in landscape connectivit c12/2018 a3323 - 33370 v1233 a

Arid regions, particularly polar and alpine desert environments, have diminished landscape connectivity compared to temperate regions due to limited and/or seasonal hydrological processes. For these environments, aeolian processes play a particularly important role in landscape evolution and biotic community vitality through nutrient and solute additions. The McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV) are the largest ice-free area in Antarctica and are potentially a major source of aeolian material for the continent. From this region, samples were collected at five heights (~5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 cm) above the surface seasonally for 2013 through 2015 from Alatna Valley, Victoria Valley, Miers Valley, and Taylor Valley (Taylor Glacier, East Lake Bonney, F6 (Lake Fryxell), and Explorer’s Cove). Despite significant geological separation and varying glacial histories, low-elevation and coastal sites had similar major ion chemistries, as did high-elevation and inland locations. This locational clustering of compositions was also evident in scanning electron microscopy images and principal component analyses, particularly for samples collected at ~100 cm above the surface. Compared to published soil literature, aeolian material in Taylor Valley demonstrates a primarily down-valley transport of material toward the coast. Soluble N:P ratios in the aeolian material reflect relative nutrient enrichments seen in MDV soils and lakes, where younger, coastal soils are relatively N depleted, while older, up-valley soils are relatively P depleted. The aeolian transport of materials, including water-soluble nutrients, is an important vector of connectivity within the MDV and provides a mechanism to help “homogenize” the geochemistry of both soil and aquatic ecosystems.

1 aDiaz, Melisa, A.1 aAdams, Byron1 aWelch, Kathleen, A.1 aWelch, Sue1 aOpiyo, Stephen, O.1 aKhan, Alia, L.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M.1 aCary, Craig, S1 aLyons, Berry uhttps://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2017JF00458902006nas a2200133 4500008004100000245016300041210006900204260003900273490000900312520143800321100001501759700002901774856006901803 2018 eng d00aAntarctic Chlamydomonas strains C. sp. UWO241 and ICE-MDV exhibit differential restructuring of the photosynthetic apparatus in response to iron0 aAntarctic iChlamydomonasi strains iCi sp UWO241 and ICEMDV exhib aOxford, OHbMiami Universityc20180 vM.S.3 a

As an integral cofactor for many redox-associated processes, iron (Fe) homeostasis is crucial in order to produce sufficient energy for the organism. Fe limitation, or excess, can cause major alterations in the function and structure of the photosynthetic apparatus. Photosynthetic psychrophiles grown under permanent low temperatures exhibit novel adaptations in their photosynthetic apparatus to deal with this permanent stress. The ice-covered lakes of the McMurdo Dry Valleys harbor many species of cold-adapted algae, including Chlamydomonas sp. UWO241 (UWO241). As a consequence of adaptation to multiple permanent extreme conditions, UWO241 exhibits a remodeled photosynthetic apparatus for maintaining redox poise. One unusual characteristic of UWO241 is the absence of a PSI-associated 77K fluorescence emission under a wide range of growth conditions. This phenotype resembles Fe deficiency in other model organisms such as C. reinhardtii. We hypothesized that adaptation to permanent iron deficiency in its native environment may contribute to this unusual phenotype. We compared the effect of Fe availability on the physiology and photobiology of UWO241 with the model C. reinhardtii as well as a second psychrophilic alga, Chlamydomonas sp. ICE-MDV (ICE). The impacts of a restructured photosynthetic apparatus on the unique Fe-associated phenotype in UWO241 will be discussed.

1 aCook, Greg1 aMorgan-Kiss, Rachael, M. uhttp://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami152545562177883601407nas a2200445 4500008004100000245007700041210006900118260001200187490005900199100002200258700002400280700001900304700002100323700002100344700001900365700002400384700002000408700001700428700002400445700001700469700002300486700001900509700002100528700002000549700002100569700002200590700002300612700002500635700001800660700002200678700002300700700002300723700002500746700001800771700002000789700002400809700002600833700002500859856007700884 2016 eng d00aAerobiology Over Antarctica – A New Initiative for Atmospheric Ecology0 aAerobiology Over Antarctica A New Initiative for Atmospheric Eco c02/20160 v7767961946103149272350113651344451428464791101239365741 aPearce, David, A.1 aAlekhina, Irina, A.1 aTerauds, Aleks1 aWilmotte, Annick1 aQuesada, Antonio1 aEdwards, Arwyn1 aDommergue, Aurelien1 aSattler, Birgit1 aAdams, Byron1 aMagalhaes, Catarina1 aChu, Wan-Loy1 aLau, Maggie, C. Y.1 aCary, Craig, S1 aSmith, David, J.1 aWall, Diana, H.1 aEguren, Gabriela1 aMatcher, Gwynneth1 aBradley, James, A.1 ade Vera, Jean-Pierre1 aElster, Josef1 aHughes, Kevin, A.1 aCuthbertson, Lewis1 aBenning, Liane, G.1 aGunde-Cimerman, Nina1 aConvey, Peter1 aHong, Soon, Gyu1 aPointing, Steve, B.1 aPellizari, Vivian, H.1 aVincent, Warwick, F. uhttp://journal.frontiersin.org/Article/10.3389/fmicb.2016.00016/abstract03338nas a2200193 4500008004100000022001400041245010600055210006900161260001600230300001400246490000600260520270300266100002102969700002302990700002503013700002603038700002703064856005303091 2015 eng d a1752-089400aAccumulation and marine forcing of ice dynamics in the western Ross Sea during the last deglaciation0 aAccumulation and marine forcing of ice dynamics in the western R cJan-07-2016 a625 - 6280 v83 a

The grounding line of the ice sheet in the Ross Sea, Antarctica, retreated between the Last Glacial Maximum and the present. However, the timing of the retreat and the interplay of factors controlling ice stability in this region1 remain uncertain. Here we use 180 radiocarbon dates to reconstruct the chronology of moraine construction on the headlands adjacent to western McMurdo Sound. On the basis of these dates we then assess the timing of ice expansion and retreat in the Ross drainage system that is fed from both the East and West Antarctic ice sheets. We find that grounded ice in the western Ross Sea achieved its greatest thickness and extent during the last termination, between 12,800 and 18,700 years ago. Maximum ice thickness at our site coincides with a period of high accumulation as recorded by the West Antarctic Ice Sheet Divide ice core2. Recession of the ice sheet from the headland moraines began about 12,800 years ago, despite continued high accumulation and the expansion of land-based glaciers at this time. We therefore suggest that the grounding-line retreat reflects an increased marine influence as sea levels rose and the ocean warmed. We suggest that future instability in the ice sheet grounding line may occur whenever the ocean forcing is stronger than forcing from accumulation.

 
 
1 aHall, Brenda, L.1 aDenton, George, H.1 aHeath, Stephanie, L.1 aJackson, Margaret, S.1 aKoffman, Tobias, N. B. uhttp://www.nature.com/doifinder/10.1038/ngeo247804921nas a2200181 4500008004100000022001400041245008200055210006900137260001200206300001300218520434700231100002104578700001504599700002204614700002304636700002104659856005904680 2015 eng d a0091-761300aAntarctic microbial mats: A modern analog for Archean lacustrine oxygen oases0 aAntarctic microbial mats A modern analog for Archean lacustrine  c10/2015 aG36966.13 a

The evolution of oxygenic photosynthesis was the most important geochemical event in

Earth history, causing the Great Oxidation Event (GOE) ~2.4 b.y. ago. However, evidence is mixed as to whether O2 production occurred locally as much as 2.8 b.y. ago, creating O2 oases, or initiated just prior to the GOE. The biogeochemical dynamics of possible O2 oases have been poorly constrained due to the absence of modern analogs. However, cyanobacteria in microbial mats in a perennially anoxic region of Lake Fryxell, Antarctica, create a 1–2 mm O2-containing layer in the upper mat during summer, providing the first known modern analog for formation of benthic O2 oases. In Lake Fryxell, benthic cyanobacteria are present below the oxycline in the lake. Mat photosynthesis rates were slow due to low photon flux rate (1–2 μmol m-2 s-1) under thick ice cover, but photosynthetic O2 production was sufficient to sustain up to 50 μmol O2 L-1, sandwiched between anoxic overlying water and anoxic sedi- ments. We hypothesize that Archean cyanobacteria could have similarly created O2 oases in benthic mats prior to the GOE. Analogous mats may have been at least partly responsible for geological evidence of oxidative weathering prior to the GOE, and habitats such as Lake Fryxell provide natural laboratories where the impact of benthic O2 oases on biogeochemical signatures can be investigated. 

 

1 aSumner, Dawn, Y.1 aHawes, Ian1 aMackey, Tyler, J.1 aJungblut, Anne, D.1 aDoran, Peter, T. uhttp://geology.gsapubs.org/lookup/doi/10.1130/G36966.103321nas a2200205 4500008004100000022001400041245008600055210006900141260001200210300001600222490000700238520262100245100001702866700002302883700002402906700002502930700001502955700002402970856012102994 2015 eng d a0091-761300aAntarctic streams as a potential source of iron for the Southern Ocean: Figure 1.0 aAntarctic streams as a potential source of iron for the Southern c11/2016 a1003 - 10060 v433 a

Due to iron’s role in oceanic primary production, there has been great interest in quantifying the importance of Fe in regions where concentrations are very low and macronutrients, nitrate and phosphate, are available. Measurements of filterable (i.e., <0.4 μm) Fe concentrations in streams from Taylor Valley, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica, suggest that coastal-zone stream Fe input to the Southern Ocean could potentially play an important role in primary production in nearshore regions. Filterable Fe (fFe) data from streams in the McMurdo Dry Valleys were used to represent glacier meltwater that flows through ice-free landscape with the potential of transporting Fe to the Antarctic coastal zone. Estimates of potential fFe flux to the Antarctic Peninsula region using our mean fFe concentration of 10.6 µg L–1 combined with an estimate of ice-free area for the Antarctic Peninsula result in an fFe flux of 1.2 × 107 g yr–1. Although small compared to iceberg and aeolian Fe fluxes, future stream input to the Southern Ocean could increase due to glacier retreat and 

1 aLyons, Berry1 aDailey, Kelsey, R.1 aWelch, Kathleen, A.1 aDeuerling, Kelly, M.1 aWelch, Sue1 aMcKnight, Diane, M. uhttp://geology.gsapubs.org/lookup/doi/10.1130/G36989.1http://geology.geoscienceworld.org/lookup/doi/10.1130/G36989.102755nas a2200169 4500008004100000020002200041245005500063210005300118260005100171300001200222520220300234100001902437700001802456700002202474700002002496856006902516 2014 eng d a978-3-642-45212-300aAntarctic Terrestrial Microbiology : Invertebrates0 aAntarctic Terrestrial Microbiology Invertebrates aBerlin, HeidelbergbSpringer Berlin Heidelberg a55 - 783 a

Terrestrial invertebrates are the largest permanent residents for much of the Antarctic continent with body lengths < 2 mm for most. The fauna consists of the arthropod taxa Collembola (springtails) and Acari (mites) as well as the microinvertebrates Nematoda, Tardigrada and Rotifera. Diversity in continental Antarctica is lower compared with warmer regions such as the Antarctic Peninsula and the subantarctic islands and several taxa such as the arthropods have considerably restricted distributions. The highest diversity of invertebrates is found along the Transantarctic Mountains of the Ross Sea Region and taxa are likely to be relicts from a warmer past that have survived in glacial refugia. Dispersal among the extremely fragmented Antarctic landscape is likely to be limited to transport via fresh- or salt-waters, particularly for the arthropod taxa, although long-distance wind dispersal is also possible for the microinvertebrates. Invertebrates possess several adaptations to low moisture levels and extreme cold temperatures in Antarctica. For example, nematodes and tardigrades avoid extreme dry and cold temperatures by entering a desiccation-resistant anhydrobiotic state. In contrast, arthropods do not have such a resistant state and freezing is lethal. Adaptations for the arthropod taxa include freeze avoidance and the production of intracellular, antifreeze proteins. Climate changes in Antarctica are likely to pose significant challenges for the invertebrate fauna. Changes in temperature, soil moisture and associated shifts in taxon distributions as well as the potential for non-indigenous species introductions are all likely to have considerable impacts on the Antarctic fauna. From a conservation perspective, there is a pressing need for terrestrial observation networks to record the present state of Antarctic terrestrial ecosystems as well as to monitor impending changes. Biosecurity measures which minimize species introductions or transfers of organisms within Antarctica will be essential.

1 aCowan, Don, A.1 aHogg, Ian, D.1 aStevens, Mark, I.1 aWall, Diana, H. uhttp://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/978-3-642-45213-0_402177nas a2200217 4500008004100000022001300041245014200054210006900196260001600265300001100281490000700292520131900299100002201618700002201640700002401662700002101686700002101707700003301728700002101761856017701782 2014 eng d a0025332400aAutonomous Year-Round Sampling and Sensing to Explore the Physical and Biological Habitability of Permanently Ice-Covered Antarctic Lakes0 aAutonomous YearRound Sampling and Sensing to Explore the Physica cJan-09-2014 a8 - 170 v483 a

The lakes of the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica, are some of the only systems on our planet that are perennially ice-covered and support year-round metabolism. As such, these ecosystems can provide important information on conditions and life in polar regions on Earth and on other icy worlds in our solar system. Working in these extreme environments of the Dry Valleys poses many challenges, particularly with respect to data collection during dark winter months when logistical constraints make fieldwork difficult. In this paper, we describe the motivation, design, and challenges for this recently deployed instrumentation in Lake Bonney, a lake that has been the subject of summer research efforts for more than 40 years. The instrumentation deployed includes autonomous water, phytoplankton, and sediment samplers as well as cable-mounted profiling platforms with dissolved gas and fluorometry sensors. Data obtained from these instruments will allow us, for the first time, to define the habitability of this environment during the polar night. We include lessons learned during deployment and recommendations for effective instrument operation in these extreme conditions.

1 aWinslow, Luke, A.1 aDugan, Hilary, A.1 aBuelow, Heather, N.1 aCronin, Kyle, D.1 aPriscu, John, C.1 aTakacs-Vesbach, Cristina, D.1 aDoran, Peter, T. uhttp://openurl.ingenta.com/content/xref?genre=article&issn=0025-3324&volume=48&issue=5&spage=8http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/mts/mtsj/2014/00000048/00000005/art0000200634nas a2200181 4500008004100000245007700041210006900118260001200187490000600199100002100205700002400226700002300250700002000273700001900293700002400312700002000336856009600356 2013 eng d00aAccelerated thermokarst formation in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica0 aAccelerated thermokarst formation in the McMurdo Dry Valleys Ant c07/20130 v31 aLevy, Joseph, S.1 aFountain, Andrew, G1 aDickson, James, L.1 aHead, James, W.1 aOkal, Marianne1 aMarchant, David, R.1 aWatters, Jaclyn uhttp://www.nature.com/srep/2013/130724/srep02269/full/srep02269.html?WT.ec_id=SREP-2013073002237nas a2200337 4500008004100000024003300041245010300074210006900177260001200246300001300258490000700271520126700278100001301545700001701558700001901575700001401594700002001608700001801628700001801646700001301664700001701677700001401694700002001708700001801728700001401746700002101760700001801781700002001799700001701819856006301836 2013 eng d ahdl: 10013 / epic.42531.d00100aAntarctic Thresholds - Ecosystem Resilience and Adaptation (AnT-ERA), a new SCAR-biology programme0 aAntarctic Thresholds Ecosystem Resilience and Adaptation AnTERA  c10/2013 a147-150.0 v823 a

Stresses on Antarctic ecosystems result from environmental change, including extreme events, and from (other) human impacts. Consequently, Antarctic habitats are changing, some at a rapid pace while others are relatively stable. A cascade of responses from molecular through organismic to the community level are expected. The differences in biological complexity and evolutionary histories between both polar regions and the rest of the planet suggest that stresses on polar ecosystem function may have fundamentally different outcomes from those at lower latitudes. Polar ecosystem processes are therefore key to informing wider ecological debate about the nature of stability and potential changes across the biosphere. The main goal of AnT-ERA is to facilitate the science required to examine changes in biological processes in Antarctic and sub-Antarctic marine-, freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. Tolerance limits, as well as thresholds, resistance and resilience to environmental change will be determined. AnT-ERA is classified into three overlapping themes, which represent three levels of biological organisation: (1) molecular and physiological performance, (2) population processes and species traits, (3) ecosystem function and services.

1 aGutt, J.1 aAdams, Byron1 aBracegirdle, T1 aCowan, D.1 aCummings, Vonda1 adi Prisco, G.1 aGradinger, R.1 aIsla, E.1 aMcIntyre, T.1 aMurphy, E1 aPeck, Lloyd, S.1 aSchloss, I.R.1 aSmith, C.1 aSuckling, C., C.1 aTakahashi, A.1 aWall, Diana, H.1 aXavier, J.C. uhttp://epic.awi.de/34238/1/Polarforschung_82-2_147-150.pdf03970nas a2200217 4500008004100000245011000041210007200151260004000223490001000263520322300273653001503496653001903511653001903530653002403549653003003573653003703603653001603640100001703656700001703673856006203690 2013 eng d00aThe application of stable isotopes, δ11B, δ18O, and δD, in geochemical and hydrological investigations0 aapplication of stable isotopes δ11B δ18O and δD in geochemical a aColumbus, OHbOhio State University0 vPh.D.3 a

My dissertation research utilizes stable isotopes as tracers of water and solute sources to study specific geochemical (solute origin) and hydrological (glacier meltwater source across a season comparing water contributions from hyporheic zone and/or glacier melt and residence time of precipitation within a managed water supply) problems within McMurdo Dry Valleys (MCM), Antarctica, and Central Ohio, USA. In Chapter II, δ11B isotopic and dissolved B measurements are used to infer the origin of B within MCM aquatic system. Boron stable isotopic values span the range of +12.3‰ to +51.4‰, varying from glacier meltwater streams to the hypolimnion of a highly evaporated hypersaline lake. These data demonstrate that the major sources of B are chemical weathering of alumniosilicates within the stream channels, and a marine source, either currently introduced by marine-derived aerosols or from ancient seawater. In-lake processes create a more positive δ11B through adsorption or mineral precipitation. The glacier meltwater streams, Lakes Fryxell, Hoare, and upper waters of Lake Joyce display a mixture of these two sources, with Lake Joyce bottom waters primarily of marine origin. Lakes Bonney and Vanda and Blood Falls brine are interpreted as having a marine-like source changed by in-lake processes to result in a more positive δ11B, while Don Juan Pond displays a more terrestrial influence. In Chapter III, δ18O and δD are used to trace water source variation via hyporheic zone or glacier melt within two MCM streams over an entire melt season. The isotopic variation of these streams was more negative at the beginning of the season and more positive later. D-excess measurements were used to infer mixing between hyporheic storage and glacier meltwater. It was supported that Von Guerard Stream has a large, widespread hyporheic zone that changes with time and discharge amounts. The chemistry of Andersen Creek also displayed hyporheic zone influence at certain times of the year. This work adds important new information on the role of hyperheic zone-stream interactions, and supports the short term, more physically based, descriptions of hyporheic dynamics explained in the past decade. Chapter IV describes water flow and travel time within a human managed watershed-reservoir system by measuring the δ18O and δD of the precipitation source to the reservoirs and finally to the distribution system, the tap. Generally, the tap waters experienced little lag time in the managed system, having a residence time of about two months. Tap and reservoir waters preserved the precipitation signal with the reservoir morphology acting as an important control. These water supply reservoirs functioned more like a river system with a faster throughput of water and larger variations in chemical parameters. Other water supply reservoirs have a greater capacity with a larger amount of water supply usage through a more lacustrine environment, which displays more constant solute concentrations and longer flow-through times. This work provides a basic understanding of a regional water supply system in central Ohio, reservoir isotopic dynamics, and Ohio precipitation sources.

10aAntarctica10aboron isotopes10ahyporheic zone10aMcMurdo Dry Valleys10aOhio precipitation source10aoxygen-18 and deuterium isotopes10asaline lake1 aLeslie, D.L.1 aLyons, Berry u http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu138600003702257nas a2200133 4500008004100000245011700041210006900158260004000227490000900267520175200276100002102028700002502049856004902074 2013 eng d00aAre the Dry Valleys getting wetter? A preliminary assessment of wetness across the McMurdo Dry Valleys landscape0 aAre the Dry Valleys getting wetter A preliminary assessment of w bPennsylvania State Universityc20130 vM.S.3 a

Liquid water is scarce across the landscape of the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV), Antarctica and is associated with soils that are adjacent to streams and lakes, during the annual thaw season. However, seeps, water tracks, and wet patches have been observed at several other locations as well. The source of water for these is likely generated by a combination of infiltration from melting snowpacks, melting of pore ice at the ice table beneath the water tracks, and melting of buried segregation ice formed during winter freezing. We are using high resolution (<1m pixel) remote sensing data gathered several times per week in the MDV region to determine the spatial and temporal distribution of wet soils. We assess the spatial consistency with which these wet soils occur for the 2008-2009 to 2011-2012 austral summers with complete coverage and partial coverage for 2003-2004 and 2006-2007 austral summers using a land cover classification. We also quantify the soil moisture of wetted soils using an artificial neural network (ANN). The ANN utilizes field radiometer data to retrieve estimates of surface moisture based on the spectral measurements and soil moisture samples collected during the 2010-2011 field season. The remote sensing based analyses of the wetted soils have shown the magnitude to vary greatly and how topography and regional microclimates influence the wetted soils in the MDV. The 2010-2011 austral summer provided the most wetted soil area, 10.21 km2, and 2008- 2009 covered the least, 5.38 km2. The ANN soil moisture distribution in the MDV shows values ranging from 0.36 % to over 19 %. We suggest that wet soils are a significant component of this cold desert land system and ecosystem.

1 aLangford, Z., L.1 aGooseff, Michael, N. uhttps://etda.libraries.psu.edu/catalog/1736400646nas a2200193 4500008004100000245007700041210006900118260001100187300001400198490001200212100002100224700002100245700002400266700002400290700002000314700002300334700002400357856007100381 2012 eng d00aAeolian flux of biotic and abiotic material in Taylor Valley, Antarctica0 aAeolian flux of biotic and abiotic material in Taylor Valley Ant c6/2012 a102 - 1110 v155-1561 aŠabacká, Marie1 aPriscu, John, C.1 aBasagic, Hassan, J.1 aFountain, Andrew, G1 aWall, Diana, H.1 aVirginia, Ross, A.1 aGreenwood, Mark, C. uhttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169555X1100622200753nas a2200193 4500008004100000245014000041210006900181260001200250300000800262490000700270100002100277700002300298700001700321700002500338700002400363700002400387700002200411856012600433 2012 eng d00aAntarctic Tardigrada: a first step in understanding molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) and biogeography of cryptic meiofauna0 aAntarctic Tardigrada a first step in understanding molecular ope c12/2012 a5260 v261 aCzechowski, Paul1 aSands, Chester, J.1 aAdams, Byron1 aD'Haese, Cyrille, A.1 aGibson, John, A. E.1 aMcInnes, Sandra, J.1 aStevens, Mark, I. uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/antarctic-tardigrada-first-step-understanding-molecular-operational-taxonomic-units-motus02734nas a2200229 4500008004100000245012900041210006900170260001600239300001100255490000600266520197000272100002402242700002202266700001902288700001602307700002202323700002002345700001702365700002102382700002402403856007702427 2012 eng d00aAt Limits of Life: Multidisciplinary Insights Reveal Environmental Constraints on Biotic Diversity in Continental Antarctica0 aAt Limits of Life Multidisciplinary Insights Reveal Environmenta cJul-09-2013 ae445780 v73 a

Multitrophic communities that maintain the functionality of the extreme Antarctic terrestrial ecosystems, while the simplest of any natural community, are still challenging our knowledge about the limits to life on earth. In this study, we describe and interpret the linkage between the diversity of different trophic level communities to the geological morphology and soil geochemistry in the remote Transantarctic Mountains (Darwin Mountains, 80°S). We examined the distribution and diversity of biota (bacteria, cyanobacteria, lichens, algae, invertebrates) with respect to elevation, age of glacial drift sheets, and soil physicochemistry. Results showed an abiotic spatial gradient with respect to the diversity of the organisms across different trophic levels. More complex communities, in terms of trophic level diversity, were related to the weakly developed younger drifts (Hatherton and Britannia) with higher soil C/N ratio and lower total soluble salts content (thus lower conductivity). Our results indicate that an increase of ion concentration from younger to older drift regions drives a succession of complex to more simple communities, in terms of number of trophic levels and diversity within each group of organisms analysed. This study revealed that integrating diversity across multi-trophic levels of biotic communities with abiotic spatial heterogeneity and geological history is fundamental to understand environmental constraints influencing biological distribution in Antarctic soil ecosystems.

 
1 aMagalhaes, Catarina1 aStevens, Mark, I.1 aCary, Craig, S1 aBall, Becky1 aStorey, Bryan, C.1 aWall, Diana, H.1 aTürk, Roman1 aRuprecht, Ulrike1 ade Bello, Francesco uhttp://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.004457800530nas a2200157 4500008004100000245008700041210006900128260001200197300001600209490000700225100002200232700002000254700001700274700002300291856005800314 2011 eng d00aAntarctic nematode communities: observed and predicted responses to climate change0 aAntarctic nematode communities observed and predicted responses  c11/2011 a1701 - 17110 v341 aNielsen, Uffe, N.1 aWall, Diana, H.1 aAdams, Byron1 aVirginia, Ross, A. uhttp://www.springerlink.com/content/v588t5671p1w1323/00655nas a2200193 4500008004100000245008400041210006900125260001100194300001400205490000600219100002700225700002500252700002500277700002500302700002100327700002700348700002300375856006300398 2010 eng d00aAbiotic nitrous oxide emission from the hypersaline Don Juan Pond in Antarctica0 aAbiotic nitrous oxide emission from the hypersaline Don Juan Pon c5/2010 a341 - 3440 v31 aSamarkin, Vladimir, A.1 aMadigan, Michael, T.1 aBowles, Marshall, W.1 aCasciotti, Karen, L.1 aPriscu, John, C.1 aMcKay, Christopher, P.1 aJoye, Samantha, B. uhttp://www.nature.com/ngeo/journal/v3/n5/full/ngeo847.html05611nas a2200229 4500008004100000245006100041210006000102260004000162490000900202520491500211653002205126653001505148653000905163653002605172653001705198653002405215653002405239653001505263100002505278700001705303856006105320 2010 eng d00aAeolian sediments of the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica0 aAeolian sediments of the McMurdo Dry Valleys Antarctica aColumbus, OHbOhio State University0 vM.S.3 a

The role of dust has become a topic of increasing interest in the interface between climate and geological/ecological sciences. Dust emitted from major sources, the majority of which are desert regions in the Northern Hemisphere, is transported via suspension in global wind systems and incorporated into the biogeochemical cycles of the ecosystems where it is ultimately deposited. While emissions within the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV) region of Antarctica are small compared to other source regions, the redistribution of new, reactive material by wind may be important to sustaining life in the ecosystem.


The interaction of the dry, warm foehn winds and the cool, moist coastal breezes “recycles” soil particles throughout the landscape. The bulk of sediment movement occurs during foehn events in the winter that redistribute material throughout the MDV. To understand the source and transfer of this material samples were collected early in the austral summer (November 2008) prior to the initiation of extensive ice melt from glacial and lake surfaces, aeolian landforms, and elevated sediment traps. These were preserved and processed for grain size distribution and major element composition at the sand and silt particle sizes. Major elemental oxide analysis indicated that the silt and sand size particles are of different composition: SiO2 values for silt range from 50 to 59% by weight and for sand range from 59 to 74%. When compared to the elemental oxide composition four rock types present in the MDV, the composition of the silt indicates a mixing influenced mostly by the igneous rock types (Ferrar Dolerite and McMurdo Volcanic basanite) and sand a mixing influenced largely by the sedimentary rocks (Beacon Sandstone and the metasedimentary Basement Complex). This could imply a local source of the aeolian material that is corroborated by low CIA values at both particle sizes (44-57%) indicating low degrees of chemical weathering. In addition, comparison of 87Sr/86Sr and 143Nd/144Nd to values published for the major MDV rock types and ice core dust to values analyzed in 3 silt size glacier sample and one bulk glacier sample also indicates a local source of sediments and that it is not likely to be transferred inland.


During the melt season, the aeolian material is actively solubilized where it interacts with water, releasing solutes and vital bioavailable nutrients throughout the aquatic system. Differences in the chemistry of supra- and proglacial streams as well as lake surface waters may be derived from the deposition and dissolution of these aeolian sediments. To simulate these conditions, a two-step leaching method using deionized water to represent glacial melt in field conditions was employed and leachates analyzed for major ion and nutrient constituents. Leachates represent a small degree (<0.7%) of dissolution of major elements, and are solubilized to a greater extent from samples closer to the coast or with increased silt content. The composition of the leachates reflects the dissolution of the major salts found in the MDV. Leach 1 (cold water) indicates that Na- and Cl-bearing salt phases are dissolved to a greater extent than seen in Leach 2 (freeze-thaw). Conversely, Leach 2 compositions indicate that carbonate mineral dissolution and Mg-bearing silicate weathering are proceeding to a greater extent than in Leach 1.


Inorganic N:P ratios follow the same patterns of nutrient limitations based on the Redfield Ratio found by Priscu (1995) in the terminal lakes of the Taylor Valley: N-limited in the Fryxell and Hoare basins (east) and P-limited in the Bonney basin (west). This is also consistent with the age of the tills in the area, as found by Gudding (2003). The concentration of soluble Fe in the leachates is about the same as soluble inorganic P, and thus is not a limiting nutrient in the leachates. Comparison of total dissolved N and P to their inorganic counterparts reveals increased organic nutrients in the glacier and lake leachates that may indicate the influence of biota. Nutrient fluxes based on known sediment fluxes from elevated sediment traps deployed throughout the MDV and the composition of these leachates range from 0.34-330 g a-1 for N, 0.02-8.3 g a-1 for P, and 0.03-8.6 g a-1 for Fe. These are at least two orders of magnitude less than calculated loads from streams to the lakes in the Taylor Valley and, thus, should be considered underestimations or minima.


This work provides the first investigation into the composition and source of aeolian transported materials in the MDV, as well of what is potentially solubilized from it during the austral summer melt season. In addition, it will contribute to the understanding of the interplay between aeolian and aquatic processes in the MDV and further the understanding of this unique ecosystem.

10aaeolian transport10aAntarctica10adust10aexperimental leaching10ageochemistry10aMcMurdo Dry Valleys10asediment provenance10aweathering1 aDeuerling, Kelly, M.1 aLyons, Berry uhttp://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu129052486200618nas a2200169 4500008004100000245011400041210006900155260001200224300001800236490000800254100002100262700002300283700002400306700002100330700002600351856007100377 2010 eng d00aAntarctic lakes suggest millennial reorganizations of Southern Hemisphere atmospheric and oceanic circulation0 aAntarctic lakes suggest millennial reorganizations of Southern H c12/2010 a21355 - 213590 v1071 aHall, Brenda, L.1 aDenton, George, H.1 aFountain, Andrew, G1 aHendy, Chris, H.1 aHenderson, Gideon, M. uhttp://www.pnas.org/content/107/50/21355.full.pdf#page=1&view=FitH00722nas a2200193 4500008004100000020001800041245008800059210006900147260004200216300001400258100002500272700002400297700001700321700001700338700002100355700001700376700002400393856011100417 2010 eng d a978052188919300aAntarctic McMurdo Dry Valley stream ecosystems as analog to fluvial systems on Mars0 aAntarctic McMurdo Dry Valley stream ecosystems as analog to fluv aCambridgebCambridge University Press a139 - 1591 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M.1 aCarr, M., H.1 aBaeseman, J.1 aDoran, Peter, T.1 aLyons, Berry1 aMcKnight, Diane, M. uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/antarctic-mcmurdo-dry-valley-stream-ecosystems-analog-fluvial-systems-mars00639nas a2200169 4500008004100000245009600041210006900137260001200206300002800218490000900246100002500255700002500280700001000305700002000315700001700335856011700352 2010 eng d00aThe Antarctic Nematode Plectus murrayi: An Emerging Model to Study Multiple Stress Survival0 aAntarctic Nematode Plectus murrayi An Emerging Model to Study Mu c11/2010 apdb.emo142 - pdb.emo1420 v20101 aAdhikari, Bishwo, N.1 aTomasel, Cecilia, M.1 aLi, G1 aWall, Diana, H.1 aAdams, Byron uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/antarctic-nematode-plectus-murrayi-emerging-model-study-multiple-stress-survival00918nas a2200325 4500008004100000245006400041210006300105300001200168490000700180100001700187700001600204700001400220700001600234700001500250700001400265700002500279700001500304700001300319700002000332700002600352700001600378700001700394700001900411700001300430700001500443700001200458700001500470700001500485856009200500 2009 eng d00aAccelerate Synthesis in Ecology and Environmental Sciences.0 aAccelerate Synthesis in Ecology and Environmental Sciences a699-7010 v591 aCarpenter, S1 aLundberg, P1 aMangel, M1 aMerchant, N1 aMurdoch, W1 aPalmer, M1 aPeters, Debra, P. C.1 aPickett, S1 aSmith, K1 aWall, Diana, H.1 aZimmerman, Maggie, K.1 aArmbrust, E1 aArzberger, E1 aChapin, F., S.1 aElser, J1 aHackett, E1 aIves, A1 aKareiva, P1 aLeibold, M uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/accelerate-synthesis-ecology-and-environmental-sciences00572nas a2200157 4500008004100000245006300041210006000104260003600164100002100200700001600221700001700237700001600254700002500270700002700295856009200322 2008 eng d00aAntarctic subglacial water: origin, evolution, and ecology0 aAntarctic subglacial water origin evolution and ecology aOxfordbOxford University Press1 aPriscu, John, C.1 aTulaczyk, S1 aStudinger, M1 aKenicutt, M1 aChristner, Brent, C.1 aForeman, Christine, M. uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/antarctic-subglacial-water-origin-evolution-and-ecology02534nas a2200193 4500008004100000245009700041210006900138260001200207300001200219490000700231520185500238653001102093100002902104700002102133700001402154700002502168700002402193856012302217 2006 eng d00aAdaptation and acclimation of photosynthetic microorganisms to permanently cold environments0 aAdaptation and acclimation of photosynthetic microorganisms to p c03/2006 a222-2520 v703 a

Persistently cold environments constitute one of our world's largest ecosystems, and microorganisms dominate the biomass and metabolic activity in these extreme environments. The stress of low temperatures on life is exacerbated in organisms that rely on photoautrophic production of organic carbon and energy sources. Phototrophic organisms must coordinate temperature-independent reactions of light absorption and photochemistry with temperature-dependent processes of electron transport and utilization of energy sources through growth and metabolism. Despite this conundrum, phototrophic microorganisms thrive in all cold ecosystems described and (together with chemoautrophs) provide the base of autotrophic production in low-temperature food webs. Psychrophilic (organisms with a requirement for low growth temperatures) and psychrotolerant (organisms tolerant of low growth temperatures) photoautotrophs rely on low-temperature acclimative and adaptive strategies that have been described for other low-temperature-adapted heterotrophic organisms, such as cold-active proteins and maintenance of membrane fluidity. In addition, photoautrophic organisms possess other strategies to balance the absorption of light and the transduction of light energy to stored chemical energy products (NADPH and ATP) with downstream consumption of photosynthetically derived energy products at low temperatures. Lastly, differential adaptive and acclimative mechanisms exist in phototrophic microorganisms residing in low-temperature environments that are exposed to constant low-light environments versus high-light- and high-UV-exposed phototrophic assemblages.

10aBiggie1 aMorgan-Kiss, Rachael, M.1 aPriscu, John, C.1 aPocock, T1 aGudynaite-Savitch, L1 aHuner, Norman, P.A. uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/adaptation-and-acclimation-photosynthetic-microorganisms-permanently-cold-environments00754nas a2200205 4500008004100000245012400041210006900165300001200234490000700246100001600253700001500269700002400284700001700308700002300325700001300348700002200361700001500383700002400398856012600422 2006 eng d00aThe aeolian flux of calcium, chloride and nitrate to the McMurdo Dry Valleys landscape: Evidence from snow pit analysis0 aaeolian flux of calcium chloride and nitrate to the McMurdo Dry  a497-5050 v181 aWitherow, R1 aBertler, N1 aWelch, Kathleen, A.1 aLyons, Berry1 aMayewski, Paul, A.1 aSneed, S1 aNylen, Thomas, H.1 aHandley, M1 aFountain, Andrew, G uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/aeolian-flux-calcium-chloride-and-nitrate-mcmurdo-dry-valleys-landscape-evidence-snow-pit01738nas a2200229 4500008004100000245008300041210006900124260001200193300001100205490000700216520101800223653001101241100002501252700001201277700002401289700001101313700001301324700002501337700002101362700001601383856010901399 2006 eng d00aAntarctic Climate Cooling and Response of Diatoms in Glacial Meltwater Streams0 aAntarctic Climate Cooling and Response of Diatoms in Glacial Mel c04/2006 aL074060 v333 a

To understand biotic responses to an Antarctic cooling trend, we analyzed diatom samples from glacial meltwater streams in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, the largest ice-free area in Antarctica. Diatoms are abundant in these streams, and 24 of 40 species have only been found in the Antarctic. The percentage of these Antarctic diatom species increased with decreasing annual stream flow and increasing harshness of the stream habitat. The species diversity of assemblages reached a maximum when the Antarctic species accounted for 40–60% of relative diatom abundance. Decreased solar radiation and air-temperatures reduce annual stream flow, raising the dominance of these Antarctic species to levels above 60%. Thus, cooling favors the Antarctic species, and lowers diatom species diversity in this region.

10aBiggie1 aEsposito, Rhea, M.M.1 aHorn, S1 aMcKnight, Diane, M.1 aCox, M1 aGrant, M1 aSpaulding, Sarah, A.1 aDoran, Peter, T.1 aCozzetto, K uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/antarctic-climate-cooling-and-response-diatoms-glacial-meltwater-streams00563nas a2200169 4500008004100000245004600041210004600087260003400133100001700167700002800184700002400212700002100236700002000257700001800277700002000295856007800315 2006 eng d00aAntarctic lake systems and climate change0 aAntarctic lake systems and climate change aDordrecht, The NetherlandsbS1 aLyons, Berry1 aLaybourn-Parry, Johanna1 aWelch, Kathleen, A.1 aPriscu, John, C.1 aBergstrom, D.M.1 aConvey, Peter1 aHuiskes, A.H.L. uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/antarctic-lake-systems-and-climate-change00468nas a2200157 4500008004100000245002900041210002900070260003100099100001500130700002400145700002100169700001500190700002900205700001500234856006100249 2004 eng d00aAntarctic Paleolimnology0 aAntarctic Paleolimnology bKluwer Academic Publishers1 aHodgson, D1 aGibson, John, A. E.1 aDoran, Peter, T.1 aPienitz, R1 aDouglas, Marianne, S. V.1 aSmol, J.P. uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/antarctic-paleolimnology00890nas a2200277 4500008004100000245006500041210006500106260001200171300001200183490000800195653002100203100002100224700002100245700001700266700002000283700002400303700002400327700002400351700002300375700002000398700001900418700002700437700002700464700002400491856009700515 2002 eng d00aAntarctic climate cooling and terrestrial ecosystem response0 aAntarctic climate cooling and terrestrial ecosystem response c01/2002 a517-5200 v41510aClimate Response1 aDoran, Peter, T.1 aPriscu, John, C.1 aLyons, Berry1 aWalsh, John, E.1 aFountain, Andrew, G1 aMcKnight, Diane, M.1 aMoorhead, Daryl, L.1 aVirginia, Ross, A.1 aWall, Diana, H.1 aClow, Gary, D.1 aFritsen, Christian, H.1 aMcKay, Christopher, P.1 aParsons, Andrew, N. uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/antarctic-climate-cooling-and-terrestrial-ecosystem-response00512nas a2200121 4500008004100000245010700041210006900148300000900217490000700226100001500233700001800248856012400266 2001 eng d00aAbsorption and utilization of low irradiance by cyanobacterial mats in two ice-covered Antarctic lakes0 aAbsorption and utilization of low irradiance by cyanobacterial m a5-150 v371 aHawes, Ian1 aSchwartz, A-M uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/absorption-and-utilization-low-irradiance-cyanobacterial-mats-two-ice-covered-antarctic00553nas a2200121 4500008004100000245010800041210006900149260002700218490000900245100002400254700002400278856012900302 2000 eng d00aActive layer dynamics and hyporheic zone storage in three streams in the McMurdo Dy Valleys, Antarctica0 aActive layer dynamics and hyporheic zone storage in three stream bUniversity of Colorado0 vM.S.1 aConovitz, Peter, A.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M. uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/active-layer-dynamics-and-hyporheic-zone-storage-three-streams-mcmurdo-dy-valleys-antarctica00522nas a2200157 4500008004100000245005500041210005300096260003100149300001000180653001100190100002100201700001700222700001800239700002200257856008500279 1999 eng d00aArctic and Antarctic lakes: contrast or continuum?0 aArctic and Antarctic lakes contrast or continuum bUniversity of Ottawa Press a59-6810aBiggie1 aDoran, Peter, T.1 aAdams, Peter1 aEcclestone, M1 aLewkowicz, A., G. uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/arctic-and-antarctic-lakes-contrast-or-continuum00670nas a2200133 4500008004100000245021900041210006900260300001200329490000700341100002100348700001900369700002100388856012700409 1998 eng d00aThe Abundance of Ammonium-Oxidizing Bacteria in Lake Bonney, Antarctica Determined by Immunofluorescence, PCR and In Situ Hybridization, in Ecosystem Processes in a Polar Desert: The McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica0 aAbundance of AmmoniumOxidizing Bacteria in Lake Bonney Antarctic a217-2280 v721 aVoytek, Mary, A.1 aWard, Bess, B.1 aPriscu, John, C. uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/abundance-ammonium-oxidizing-bacteria-lake-bonney-antarctica-determined-immunofluorescence00502nas a2200145 4500008004100000245010400041210006900145260001200214300001200226490000700238100002300245700002400268700002400292856004000316 1998 eng d00aAnalysis of transient storage subject to unsteady flow: diel flow variation in an Antarctic stream0 aAnalysis of transient storage subject to unsteady flow diel flow c06/1998 a143-1540 v171 aRunkel, Robert, L.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M.1 aAndrews, Edmund, D. uhttp://www.jstor.org/stable/146795800505nas a2200121 4500008004100000245008900041210006900130300001200199490000700211100002100218700002700239856011700266 1998 eng d00aAntarctic lake-ice microbial consortia: Origin, distribution, and growth physiology0 aAntarctic lakeice microbial consortia Origin distribution and gr a223-2240 v311 aPriscu, John, C.1 aFritsen, Christian, H. uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/antarctic-lake-ice-microbial-consortia-origin-distribution-and-growth-physiology00570nas a2200157 4500008004100000245007400041210006900115260001200184300001600196490000800212100002100220700002400241700002500265700002700290856009500317 1998 eng d00aAntarctic paleolake sediments and the search for extinct life on Mars0 aAntarctic paleolake sediments and the search for extinct life on c05/1998 a28481-284930 v1031 aDoran, Peter, T.1 aWharton, Robert, A.1 aDesMarais, David, J.1 aMcKay, Christopher, P. uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/antarctic-paleolake-sediments-and-search-extinct-life-mars00597nas a2200169 4500008004100000245007200041210006700113260002900180300001200209100001700221700002400238700001700262700001700279700002700296700001500323856008900338 1997 eng d00aThe abundance of planktonic virus-like particles in Antarctic lakes0 aabundance of planktonic viruslike particles in Antarctic lakes aRotterdambBalkema Press a241-2501 aKepner, R.L.1 aWharton, Robert, A.1 aGalchenko, V1 aLyons, Berry1 aHoward-Williams, Clive1 aHawes, Ian uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/abundance-planktonic-virus-particles-antarctic-lakes00555nas a2200121 4500008004100000245011700041210006900158260003000227490001000257100002000267700002000287856012600307 1996 eng d00aAlgal investigations at varying temporal scales in an extreme environment: McMurdo Dry Valley lakes, Antarctica0 aAlgal investigations at varying temporal scales in an extreme en bColorado State University0 vPh.D.1 aSpaulding, S.A.1 aWall, Diana, H. uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/algal-investigations-varying-temporal-scales-extreme-environment-mcmurdo-dry-valley-lakes00543nas a2200169 4500008004100000245005500041210005400096260001200150300001400162490000700176653001100183100002400194700002400218700002500242700002200267856008400289 1994 eng d00aAquatic fulvic acids in algal-rich antarctic ponds0 aAquatic fulvic acids in algalrich antarctic ponds c07/1994 a1972-19790 v3910aBiggie1 aMcKnight, Diane, M.1 aAndrews, Edmund, D.1 aSpaulding, Sarah, A.1 aAiken, George, R. uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/aquatic-fulvic-acids-algal-rich-antarctic-ponds