Glacial Water: A Dynamic Microbial Medium

Varliero, Gilda; Lebre, Pedro H.; Frey, Beat; Fountain, Andrew G.; Anesio, Alexandre M.; Cowan, Don A.

doi:10.3390/microorganisms11051153

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 245 publications

(434 reference statements)

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“…Under climatic warming, increased exposure of snow-free glacial ice and melt intensity (Rounce et al, 2023) will expand the extent of the weathering crust over the coming 30 to 50 years (Stevens et al, 2022). Hence, our limited appreciation of the weathering crust's microbiome presents critical lacunae in our knowledge of supraglacial ecosystems, their biogeochemical cycles and impacts on downstream ecosystems expanding as glaciers recede (Halbach et al, 2023;Hotaling et al, 2017;Irvine-Fynn & Edwards, 2013;Varliero et al, 2023).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The distinctive weathering crust habitat of a High Arctic glacier comprises discrete microbial micro‐habitats

Rassner,

Cook,

Mitchell

et al. 2024

Environmental Microbiology

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Sunlight penetrates the ice surfaces of glaciers and ice sheets, forming a water‐bearing porous ice matrix known as the weathering crust. This crust is home to a significant microbial community. Despite the potential implications of microbial processes in the weathering crust for glacial melting, biogeochemical cycles, and downstream ecosystems, there have been few explorations of its microbial communities. In our study, we used 16S rRNA gene sequencing and shotgun metagenomics of a Svalbard glacier surface catchment to characterise the microbial communities within the weathering crust, their origins and destinies, and the functional potential of the weathering crust metagenome. Our findings reveal that the bacterial community in the weathering crust is distinct from those in upstream and downstream habitats. However, it comprises two separate micro‐habitats, each with different taxa and functional categories. The interstitial porewater is dominated by Polaromonas, influenced by the transfer of snowmelt, and exported via meltwater channels. In contrast, the ice matrix is dominated by Hymenobacter, and its metagenome exhibits a diverse range of functional adaptations. Given that the global weathering crust area and the subsequent release of microbes from it are strongly responsive to climate projections for the rest of the century, our results underscore the pressing need to integrate the microbiome of the weathering crust with other communities and processes in glacial ecosystems.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The distinctive weathering crust habitat of a High Arctic glacier comprises discrete microbial micro‐habitats

Rassner,

Cook,

Mitchell

et al. 2024

Environmental Microbiology

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Exploring glaciers and glacier environments as potential habitats for cold-loving bacterial taxa with diverse industrial and environmental implications

Rekadwad,

Shouche,

Jangid

2024

Environmental Sustainability

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Microbial dynamics in rapidly transforming Arctic proglacial landscapes

Marsh,

Chernikhova,

Thiele

et al. 2024

PLOS Clim

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Arctic glacial environments are rapidly changing, as the Arctic warms at a rate three to four times faster than the global average (the phenomenon known as Arctic amplification). Microorganisms are uniquely adapted to extreme glacial environments and studying how ecological and climatic feedback loops affect the diversity of these communities is crucial to the characterisation of vulnerable Arctic habitats. Glacial landscapes span a wide range of habitats, from glacier ice to marine waters, and encompass terrestrial, aquatic, and interzonal systems. While glacier shrinkage has been the focus of scientific attention, auxiliary habitats are also impacted by rapid glacier retreat. Auxiliary habitats include terrestrial systems, such as outwash plains, vegetated periglacial environments, and aquatic systems, such as glacier-fed streams, lakes, and glacier-adjacent marine environments. Glacier recession drives high-impact changes in glacier-associated habitats: rising temperatures, increased light penetration of glacial streams, changes in nitrogen-to-phosphate ratios, and increases in availability of glacier-derived organic compounds. In turn, microbial systems in these habitats may experience changes in nutrient dynamics and shifts in community structures. The exposure of new lands by retreating glaciers may also result in increased dust and microbial dispersal into the atmosphere. Here, we discuss the effects of climate change on glacial microbiomes and the feedback loops between microbial community dynamics and the large-scale climatic processes in the Arctic. We characterise aspects of vulnerable microbial ecosystems and highlight the importance of preserving unseen microbial biodiversity. We then outline current capacities for microbial conservation, focusing on cryopreservation and biobanking. Lastly, we suggest future research directions and steps that academic and governmental institutions may take to foster research and collaboration with Indigenous communities.

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Glacial Water: A Dynamic Microbial Medium

Cited by 3 publications

References 245 publications

The distinctive weathering crust habitat of a High Arctic glacier comprises discrete microbial micro‐habitats

The distinctive weathering crust habitat of a High Arctic glacier comprises discrete microbial micro‐habitats

Exploring glaciers and glacier environments as potential habitats for cold-loving bacterial taxa with diverse industrial and environmental implications

Microbial dynamics in rapidly transforming Arctic proglacial landscapes

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