Phylogenetic analysis of bacteria preserved within an ice wedge from the Fox permafrost tunnel was undertaken by cultivation and molecular techniques. The radiocarbon age of the ice wedge was determined. Our results suggest that the bacteria in the ice wedge adapted to the frozen conditions have survived for 25,000 years.

The widespread occurrence of alas depressions in Central Yakutia is not necessarily evidence of modern thermokarst activity. Typically, a near-surface 'shielding layer', formed as the result of deep thaw in exceptionally warm years, protects underlying icy sediment from thaw. In spite of current climatic warming, there is no noticeable increase in regional thermokarst in Central Yakutia. Periodic forest fires significantly increase soil thermal conductivity and progressive soil salinization is occurring; however, these are insufficient to cause thaw of the underlying icy sediments. Instead, active thermokarst should be regarded as a short-term catastrophic process. Use of the Kudryavtsev algorithm indicates that the depth of thaw beneath a water body in Central Yakutia can reach 8-10 m within 50 years, and 20þ m within 300 years. Field observations show that current thermokarst has a tendency for fast (5-10þ cm/year) subsidence.

In this study, we isolated and characterized bacterial strains from ancient (Neogene) permafrost sediment that was permanently frozen for 3.5 million years. The sampling site was located at Mammoth Mountain in the Aldan river valley in Central Yakutia in Eastern Siberia. Analysis of phospolipid fatty acids (PLFA) demonstrated the dominance of bacteria over fungi; the analysis of fatty acids specific for Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria revealed an approximately twofold higher amount of Gram-negative bacteria compared to Gram-positive bacteria. Direct microbial counts after natural permafrost enrichment showed the presence of (4.7 ± 1.5) × 108 cells g−1 sediment dry mass. Viable heterotrophic bacteria were found at 0 °C, 10 °C and 25 °C, but not at 37 °C. Spore-forming bacteria were not detected. Numbers of viable fungi were low and were only detected at 0 °C and 10 °C. Selected culturable bacterial isolates were identified as representatives of Arthrobacter phenanthrenivorans, Subtercola frigoramans and Glaciimonas immobilis. Representatives of each of these species were characterized with regard to their growth temperature range, their ability to grow on different media, to produce enzymes, to grow in the presence of NaCl, antibiotics, and heavy metals, and to degrade hydrocarbons. All strains could grow at −5 °C; the upper temperature limit for growth in liquid culture was 25 °C or 30 °C. Sensitivity to rich media, antibiotics, heavy metals, and salt increased when temperature decreased (20 °C > 10 °C > 1 °C). In spite of the ligninolytic activity of some strains, no biodegradation activity was detected.

The concentration of methane in air bubbles within permafrost was sampled from both alluvial deposits and ice wedges in Eastern Siberia. The values of methane concentration were as high as 6000 ppmv in both frozen soil and ice wedges. The anti‐proportional relationship between methane and carbon dioxide concentration values in permafrost was examined. Values of methane concentration in ice wedges are smaller than those in frozen soils. Values of total volumetric air content, water content and density were obtained by on‐the‐spot investigation. Increases of methane and carbon dioxide concentrations were detected in accordance with increases of water content of frozen soil. Geologically older permafrost contained higher values of methane concentration than younger permafrost. Samples of frozen soils were incubated at temperature −5°C in order to study possible methane production. A slow production in different soils was observed, although the experiments took a long time before measurable changes of methane content could be found. The rate of methane production decreases in time; therefore, long‐term forecasts of methane content in frozen soils are still problematical. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.