Red snow: Is it safe to eat? A pilot study

Coming in from the cold: potential microbial threats from the terrestrial cryosphere

“…Nonetheless, the role of glacial systems as reservoirs of pathogens of humans, other animals and plants is the most "frequently asked question" in the author's experience of engaging with stakeholders, the general public and scientists in other fields, not to mention deskbound reviewers of risk assessments. With the caveat that cryospheric microbial associated morbidity and mortality is hitherto confined to anecdotal reports of snow algae-associated diarrhea (Fiore et al, 1997) and that there are many pressing priorities in the realm of emerging infectious diseases, it appears that changes in the terrestrial cryosphere potentiate a range of fungal, bacterial and viral threats to human, plant and animal health.…”