GlacialWater: A Dynamic Microbial Medium

Authors

Gilda Varliero, University of Bristol
Pedro H. Lebre, University of Pretoria
Andrew G. Fountain, Portland State UniversityFollow
Beat Frey, Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL
Alexandre M. Anesio, University of Bristol
Don A. Cowan, University of Pretoria

Published In

Microorganisms

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-2023

Subjects

Glaciers -- Climatic factors, Glacial microorganisms, Glacier -- Meltwater, Proglacial environment, Water residence time

Abstract

Microbial communities and nutrient dynamics in glaciers and ice sheets continuously change as the hydrological conditions within and on the ice change. Glaciers and ice sheets can be considered bioreactors as microbiomes transform nutrients that enter these icy systems and alter the meltwater chemistry. Global warming is increasing meltwater discharge, affecting nutrient and cell export, and altering proglacial systems. In this review, we integrate the current understanding of glacial hydrology, microbial activity, and nutrient and carbon dynamics to highlight their interdependence and variability on daily and seasonal time scales, as well as their impact on proglacial environments.

Rights

Copyright (c) 2023 The Authors

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Locate the Document

https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11051153

DOI

10.3390/microorganisms11051153

Persistent Identifier

https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/40174

Citation Details

Varliero, G., Lebre, P. H., Frey, B., Fountain, A. G., Anesio, A. M., & Cowan, D. A. (2023). Glacial Water: A Dynamic Microbial Medium. Microorganisms, 11(5), 1153.