Applicability of cryoconite consortia of microorganisms and glacier-dwelling animals in astrobiological studies

Abstract

For several years it has been of interest to astrobiologists to focus on Earth's glaciers as a habitat that can be similar to glaciers on other moons and planets. Microorganisms on glaciers form consortia -cryoconite granules (cryoconites). They are granular/spherical mineral particles connected with archaea, cyanobacteria, heterotrophic bacteria, algae, fungi, and micro animals (mainly Tardigrada and Rotifera). Cryophilic organisms inhabiting glaciers have been studied in different aspects: from taxonomy, ecology and biogeography, to searching of biotechnological potentials and physiological strategies to survive in extreme glacial habitats. However, they have never been used in astrobiological experiments. The main aim of this paper is brief review of literature and supporting assumptions that cryoconite granules and microinvertebrates on glaciers, are promising models in astrobiology for looking for analogies and survival strategies in terms of icy planets and moons. So far, astrobiological research have been conducted on single strains of prokaryotes or microinvertebrates but never on a consortium of them. Due to the hypothetical similarity of glaciers on the Earth to those on other planets these cryoconites consortia of microorganisms and glacier microinvertebrates may be applied in astrobiological experiments instead of the limno-terrestrial ones used currently. Those consortia and animals have qualities to use them in such studies and they may be the key to understanding how organisms are able to survive, reproduce and remain active at low temperatures.

Astrovirology: how viruses enhance our understanding of life in the Universe

“…Terrestrial worlds, or at least partly rocky bodies, such as comets, may host ice-lidded cryoconite holes in their polar ice caps that could result in the presence of liquid water to support active life (Zawierucha et al, 2017). Could terrestrial worlds with thick mid-deck atmospheres, such as Venus, harbour life and virus-like entities?…”

Astrovirology: how viruses enhance our understanding of life in the Universe

“…Terrestrial worlds, or at least partly rocky bodies, such as comets, may host ice-lidded cryoconite holes in their polar ice caps that could result in the presence of liquid water to support active life (Zawierucha et al, 2017). Could terrestrial worlds with thick mid-deck atmospheres, such as Venus, harbour life and virus-like entities?…”

NASA must protect Earth's biosphere even if Mars samples hold mirror life – motivating planetary protection with new scenarios like mirror life - survey of recent research relevant to a Mars sample return - and how to keep Earth's biosphere 100% safe with a miniature telerobotic lab above GEO, and protect other biospheres 100% with sterile robotic explorers

“…Zawierucha et al suggest that microbial communities from cryoconite holes in Antarctica would be good candidates for model organisms in astrobiology including study of the possibility of higher life on other planets because they can withstand very cold conditions, and abrupt changes of conditions, can go into hybernation, many have dark pigments and are protected from UV, and they propagate easily from one glacier to another amongst other similarities and rotifers are highly resistant to ionizing radiation (Zawierucha et al, 2017) [rotifers depend on oxygen, so they aren't an exact analogue unless the water on Mars is oxygen rich (Stamenković et al, 2018)] The Richardson crater features seem to be formed by liquid water. Both current models explain these features as flowing salty water (brines).…”

The Search for a Signature of Life on Mars: A Biogeomorphological Approach

“…Cryoconite settles and concentrates at the bottom of these holes, creating suitable habitat conditions for cold-adapted microbes and algae in a harsh supraglacial environment (Hodson, 2008). Such organisms can occur in the coldest and driest rocky and icy environments on Earth that were identified as analogs for the martian environment (Wentworth et al, 2005; Zawierucha et al, 2017).…”

“…The holes vary in width and depth from widths most generally ranging from 0.5 to 1.50 m and depths ranging from 0.4 to 0.6 m. However, Fountain et al (2004) reported cryoconite holes of 5 m deep and >30 m in diameter. Cryoconite holes originate from the concentration of dust combined with the activity of the most extremophilic consortia of archaea, algae, cyanobacteria, fungi, and heterotrophic bacteria (Zawierucha et al, 2017) within depressions on the surface of snow, glaciers, or ice caps. The dark-colored biophysical concentrations lead to the formation of cylindrical holes as the dust and humic substance produced by the microbes decrease the surface albedo, thus increasing heat absorption and accelerating ice melting.…”

“…As suggested by Zawierucha et al (2017), current knowledge on Earth glacier biota such as those living in cryoconites can be used as a relevant model in astrobiology for looking for microorganism survival strategies in icy conditions on planets and moons. The small to large ''Swiss cheese terrain'' in the martian ice (Thomas et al, 2000) could be a candidate for such martian cryoconites.…”

Astrovirology: how viruses enhance our understanding of life in the Universe

“…Terrestrial worlds, or at least partly rocky bodies, such as comets, may host ice-lidded cryoconite holes in their polar ice caps that could result in the presence of liquid water to support active life (Zawierucha et al, 2017). Could terrestrial worlds with thick mid-deck atmospheres, such as Venus, harbour life and virus-like entities?…”

NASA must protect Earth's biosphere even if Mars samples hold mirror life – motivating planetary protection with new scenarios like mirror life - survey of recent research relevant to a Mars sample return - and how to keep Earth's biosphere 100% safe with a miniature telerobotic lab above GEO, and protect other biospheres 100% with sterile robotic explorers

“…Zawierucha et al suggest that microbial communities from cryoconite holes in Antarctica would be good candidates for model organisms in astrobiology including study of the possibility of higher life on other planets because they can withstand very cold conditions, and abrupt changes of conditions, can go into hybernation, many have dark pigments and are protected from UV, and they propagate easily from one glacier to another amongst other similarities and rotifers are highly resistant to ionizing radiation (Zawierucha et al, 2017) [rotifers depend on oxygen, so they aren't an exact analogue unless the water on Mars is oxygen rich (Stamenković et al, 2018)] The Richardson crater features seem to be formed by liquid water. Both current models explain these features as flowing salty water (brines).…”

The Search for a Signature of Life on Mars: A Biogeomorphological Approach

“…Cryoconite settles and concentrates at the bottom of these holes, creating suitable habitat conditions for cold-adapted microbes and algae in a harsh supraglacial environment (Hodson, 2008). Such organisms can occur in the coldest and driest rocky and icy environments on Earth that were identified as analogs for the martian environment (Wentworth et al, 2005; Zawierucha et al, 2017).…”

“…The holes vary in width and depth from widths most generally ranging from 0.5 to 1.50 m and depths ranging from 0.4 to 0.6 m. However, Fountain et al (2004) reported cryoconite holes of 5 m deep and >30 m in diameter. Cryoconite holes originate from the concentration of dust combined with the activity of the most extremophilic consortia of archaea, algae, cyanobacteria, fungi, and heterotrophic bacteria (Zawierucha et al, 2017) within depressions on the surface of snow, glaciers, or ice caps. The dark-colored biophysical concentrations lead to the formation of cylindrical holes as the dust and humic substance produced by the microbes decrease the surface albedo, thus increasing heat absorption and accelerating ice melting.…”

“…As suggested by Zawierucha et al (2017), current knowledge on Earth glacier biota such as those living in cryoconites can be used as a relevant model in astrobiology for looking for microorganism survival strategies in icy conditions on planets and moons. The small to large ''Swiss cheese terrain'' in the martian ice (Thomas et al, 2000) could be a candidate for such martian cryoconites.…”

Astrovirology: how viruses enhance our understanding of life in the Universe

“…Terrestrial worlds, or at least partly rocky bodies, such as comets, may host ice-lidded cryoconite holes in their polar ice caps that could result in the presence of liquid water to support active life (Zawierucha et al, 2017). Could terrestrial worlds with thick mid-deck atmospheres, such as Venus, harbour life and virus-like entities?…”

NASA must protect Earth's biosphere even if Mars samples hold mirror life – motivating planetary protection with new scenarios like mirror life - survey of recent research relevant to a Mars sample return - and how to keep Earth's biosphere 100% safe with a miniature telerobotic lab above GEO, and protect other biospheres 100% with sterile robotic explorers

“…Zawierucha et al suggest that microbial communities from cryoconite holes in Antarctica would be good candidates for model organisms in astrobiology including study of the possibility of higher life on other planets because they can withstand very cold conditions, and abrupt changes of conditions, can go into hybernation, many have dark pigments and are protected from UV, and they propagate easily from one glacier to another amongst other similarities and rotifers are highly resistant to ionizing radiation (Zawierucha et al, 2017) [rotifers depend on oxygen, so they aren't an exact analogue unless the water on Mars is oxygen rich (Stamenković et al, 2018)] The Richardson crater features seem to be formed by liquid water. Both current models explain these features as flowing salty water (brines).…”

The Search for a Signature of Life on Mars: A Biogeomorphological Approach

“…Cryoconite settles and concentrates at the bottom of these holes, creating suitable habitat conditions for cold-adapted microbes and algae in a harsh supraglacial environment (Hodson, 2008). Such organisms can occur in the coldest and driest rocky and icy environments on Earth that were identified as analogs for the martian environment (Wentworth et al, 2005; Zawierucha et al, 2017).…”

“…The holes vary in width and depth from widths most generally ranging from 0.5 to 1.50 m and depths ranging from 0.4 to 0.6 m. However, Fountain et al (2004) reported cryoconite holes of 5 m deep and >30 m in diameter. Cryoconite holes originate from the concentration of dust combined with the activity of the most extremophilic consortia of archaea, algae, cyanobacteria, fungi, and heterotrophic bacteria (Zawierucha et al, 2017) within depressions on the surface of snow, glaciers, or ice caps. The dark-colored biophysical concentrations lead to the formation of cylindrical holes as the dust and humic substance produced by the microbes decrease the surface albedo, thus increasing heat absorption and accelerating ice melting.…”

“…As suggested by Zawierucha et al (2017), current knowledge on Earth glacier biota such as those living in cryoconites can be used as a relevant model in astrobiology for looking for microorganism survival strategies in icy conditions on planets and moons. The small to large ''Swiss cheese terrain'' in the martian ice (Thomas et al, 2000) could be a candidate for such martian cryoconites.…”