Viability of Thermophiles and Coliform Bacteria in Arctic Soils and Water

Abstract

Thern~ophiles and coliforln bacteria were present in the intestinal tract of certain arctic animals and were sometilnes found in soil and water. Thermophiles survived for a longer period than coliform bacteria when they were inoculated into soil and water simultaneously, and therefore, under natural conditions, some of the thermophiles found in these materials may originate from animal and human feces even though a sample may give a negative test for the presence of colifor~n bacteria.

Soil and Water Bacteria in the Alaskan Subarctic Tundra

“…However, considerably more of the Gram-negative forms were found in water (240/70) and the difference appears to be significant. Boyd and Boyd (1963) found that Gramnegative bacteria were predominant in arctic lake water.…”

“…McBee and McBee (1956) reported on the presence of thermophilic and coliform bacteria in the soil and water in the area of Point Barrow, Alaska, while McBee and Gaugler (1956) identified I 5 thermophilic cultures from that area. Boyd ( I 958, 1g5g), Boyd and Boyd ( I 962a;I 962b;1964), and Brockman and Boyd (1963) made a series of studies on the microbiology and on the chemical and physical characteristics of soils and waters taken, for the most part, along the arctic coast of Alaska. DiGiovanni et al (1962) studied the sanitary aspects of Greenland soil and lake water.…”

Microbiology of Eutrophic (Ornithogenic and Hydrocarbon-Contaminated) Soil

“…Traces of the human enteric bacteria Escherichia coli have been detected in Dry Valley field camps (Sjoling and Cowan 2000) and the human skin commensal Staphylococcus epidermis has been detected through PCR amplification in soils at frequently visited sites (Ah Tow and Cowan 2005). Both E. coli (Boyd and Boyd 1963) and S. epidermidis strains (Ah Tow and Cowan 2005) have been shown to lose viability quickly in Antarctic soils, suggesting human-associated bacteria have little impact on endemic bacterial communities. However, in light of current climate change predictions, the suggested immunity of the continent to these types of introductions is in question.…”

Microbial and Ecological Investigations of Recent Cinder Cones, Deception Island, Antarctica‐‐A Preliminary Report

“…Thermophiles may be present in cold Antarctic habitats where contamination is prevalent (Boyd and Boyd 1963a). Our samples show that bacteria have adapted to higher temperatures on the craters, in volcanic mud sample 711 and in the soil around fumarole site 713.…”