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A blue-ice ecosystem on the margins of the East Antarctic ice sheet
Citation
Hodson, A and Paterson, H and Westwood, K and Cameron, K and Laybourn-Parry, J, A blue-ice ecosystem on the margins of the East Antarctic ice sheet, Journal of Glaciology, 59, (214) pp. 255-268. ISSN 0022-1430 (2013) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
Copyright 2013 Journal of Glaciology
DOI: doi:10.3189/2013JoG12J052
Abstract
Freezing temperatures, desiccation and high levels of solar radiation make the surface of
the Antarctic ice sheet one of Earth's harshest habitats. However, our study in the Vestfold Hills area of
East Antarctica shows that favourable conditions for microbial production become established just
beneath the surface of blue-ice areas, which collectively cover about 2% of the ice-sheet periphery.
Their translucent, wind-polished surface allows solar heating to create meltwater in a greenhouse-type
environment at depths of up to 1m. Melting is intensified around dark debris particles, or cryoconite,
where we found microbiological activity to be greatest. Rates of photosynthesis (average 2060 ngC
(g cryoconite)-1 d-1) were adapted to low light intensities (~10% of surface irradiance values) and most
likely dominated by cyanobacteria and Chloroplastida. A heterotrophic bacterial community was also
found to be active within the cryoconite, although average bacterial growth rates (5.7 ngC(g cryoconite)-
1 d-1) were far lower than average community respiration (1870 ng C(g cryoconite)-1 d-1). The
majority of the respired carbon was most likely associated with the autotrophs and several protists.
Therefore, blue-ice areas constitute oases for microbial life around the periphery of Earth's coldest
ice sheet.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
---|---|
Research Division: | Biological Sciences |
Research Group: | Microbiology |
Research Field: | Microbial ecology |
Objective Division: | Environmental Management |
Objective Group: | Management of Antarctic and Southern Ocean environments |
Objective Field: | Antarctic and Southern Ocean oceanic processes |
UTAS Author: | Paterson, H (Dr Harriet Paterson) |
UTAS Author: | Westwood, K ( Westwood) |
ID Code: | 89529 |
Year Published: | 2013 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 24 |
Deposited By: | IMAS Research and Education Centre |
Deposited On: | 2014-03-06 |
Last Modified: | 2022-08-31 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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