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PubMedDate not supplied

Mycosporine-like amino acids in Antarctic sea ice algae, and their response to UVB radiation.

Mycosporine like amino acids (MAAs) were detected in low concentration in sea ice algae growing in situ at Cape Evans, Antarctica. Four areas of sea ice were covered with plastics of different UV absorption exposing the bottom- ice algal community to a range of UV doses for a period of 15 days. Algae were exposed to visible radiation only; visible + UV radiation; and visible + enhanced UV radiation. MAA content per cell at the start of the experiment was low in snow-covered plots but higher in samples from ice with no snow cover. During the study period, the MAA content per cell reduced in all treatments, but the rate of this decline was less under both ambient UV and visible radiation than under snow covered plots. While low doses of UVB radiation may have stimulated some MAA production (or at least slowed its loss), relatively high doses of UVB radiation resulted in almost complete loss of MAAs from ice algal cells. Despite this reduction in MAA content per cell, the diatoms in all samples grew well, and there was no discernible effect on viability. This suggests that MAAs may play a minor role as photoprotectants in sea ice algae. The unique structure of the bottom ice algal community may provide a self-shading effect such that algal cells closest to the surface of the ice contain more MAAs than those below them and confer a degree of protection on the community as a whole.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed2004

Past changes in Arctic terrestrial ecosystems, climate and UV radiation.

At the last glacial maximum, vast ice sheets covered many continental areas. The beds of some shallow seas were exposed thereby connecting previously separated landmasses. Although some areas were ice-free and supported a flora and fauna, mean annual temperatures were 10-13 degrees C colder than during the Holocene. Within a few millennia of the glacial maximum, deglaciation started, characterized by a series of climatic fluctuations between about 18,000 and 11,400 years ago. Following the general thermal maximum in the Holocene, there has been a modest overall cooling trend, superimposed upon which have been a series of millennial and centennial fluctuations in climate such as the "Little Ice Age spanning approximately the late 13th to early 19th centuries. Throughout the climatic fluctuations of the last 150,000 years, Arctic ecosystems and biota have been close to their minimum extent within the most recent 10,000 years. They suffered loss of diversity as a result of extinctions during the most recent large-magnitude rapid global warming at the end of the last glacial stage. Consequently, Arctic ecosystems and biota such as large vertebrates are already under pressure and are particularly vulnerable to current and projected future global warming. Evidence from the past indicates that the treeline will very probably advance, perhaps rapidly, into tundra areas, as it did during the early Holocene, reducing the extent of tundra and increasing the risk of species extinction. Species will very probably extend their ranges northwards, displacing Arctic species as in the past. However, unlike the early Holocene, when lower relative sea level allowed a belt of tundra to persist around at least some parts of the Arctic basin when treelines advanced to the present coast, sea level is very likely to rise in future, further restricting the area of tundra and other treeless Arctic ecosystems. The negative response of current Arctic ecosystems to global climatic conditions that are apparently without precedent during the Pleistocene is likely to be considerable, particularly as their exposure to co-occurring environmental changes (such as enhanced levels of UV-B, deposition of nitrogen compounds from the atmosphere, heavy metal and acidic pollution, radioactive contamination, increased habitat fragmentation) is also without precedent.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Ecology of southern ocean pack ice.

Around Antarctica the annual five-fold growth and decay of sea ice is the most prominent physical process and has a profound impact on marine life there. In winter the pack ice canopy extends to cover almost 20 million square kilometres--some 8% of the southern hemisphere and an area larger than the Antarctic continent itself (13.2 million square kilometres)--and is one of the largest, most dynamic ecosystems on earth. Biological activity is associated with all physical components of the sea-ice system: the sea-ice surface; the internal sea-ice matrix and brine channel system; the underside of sea ice and the waters in the vicinity of sea ice that are modified by the presence of sea ice. Microbial and microalgal communities proliferate on and within sea ice and are grazed by a wide range of proto- and macrozooplankton that inhabit the sea ice in large concentrations. Grazing organisms also exploit biogenic material released from the sea ice at ice break-up or melt. Although rates of primary production in the underlying water column are often low because of shading by sea-ice cover, sea ice itself forms a substratum that provides standing stocks of bacteria, algae and grazers significantly higher than those in ice-free areas. Decay of sea ice in summer releases particulate and dissolved organic matter to the water column, playing a major role in biogeochemical cycling as well as seeding water column phytoplankton blooms. Numerous zooplankton species graze sea-ice algae, benefiting additionally because the overlying sea-ice ceiling provides a refuge from surface predators. Sea ice is an important nursery habitat for Antarctic krill, the pivotal species in the Southern Ocean marine ecosystem. Some deep-water fish migrate to shallow depths beneath sea ice to exploit the elevated concentrations of some zooplankton there. The increased secondary production associated with pack ice and the sea-ice edge is exploited by many higher predators, with seals, seabirds and whales aggregating there. As a result, much of the Southern Ocean pelagic whaling was concentrated at the edge of the marginal ice zone. The extent and duration of sea ice fluctuate periodically under the influence of global climatic phenomena including the El Niño Southern Oscillation. Life cycles of some associated species may reflect this periodicity. With evidence for climatic warming in some regions of Antarctica, there is concern that ecosystem change may be induced by changes in sea-ice extent. The relative abundance of krill and salps appears to change interannually with sea-ice extent, and in warm years, when salps proliferate, krill are scarce and dependent predators suffer severely. Further research on the Southern Ocean sea-ice system is required, not only to further our basic understanding of the ecology, but also to provide ecosystem managers with the information necessary for the development of strategies in response to short- and medium-term environmental changes in Antarctica. Technological advances are delivering new sampling platforms such as autonomous underwater vehicles that are improving vastly our ability to sample the Antarctic under sea-ice environment. Data from such platforms will enhance greatly our understanding of the globally important Southern Ocean sea-ice ecosystem.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Isolation and characterization of coliforms from glacial ice and water in Canada's High Arctic.

Ellesmere Island is the northern most member of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago with over one-third of the land mass covered by ice. A joint services expedition to the island's Blue Mountains offered a unique opportunity for microbiological studies of resident bacteria in an environment uninhabited by man. Over 100 samples of water and ice were collected from stream, lake and glacier and the filtrate cultured under canvas. Bacterial growth was harvested onto swabs for transport back to the UK and 50 coliforms chosen at random for identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Most of the glacial strains were capsulated, pigmented and some over 2000 years old. Genera such as Serratia, Enterobacter, Klebsiella and Yersinia were found; speciation was inconclusive and some organisms remain unidentified. Ampicillin resistance was evident in 80% of water isolates as opposed to 30% of the glacial organisms, but the isolates were generally exquisitely susceptible to antibiotics. The facility for ampicillin resistance did not appear to be transferable. Plasmid DNA was found in 33% of the glacial organisms and over 50% of the water isolates. Similar profiles were identified within and apparently between species and required plasmid restriction analysis to help establish identity. Plasmid-free Serratia spp. were subjected to genomic fingerprinting. Indistinguishable patterns were found within sets of isolates both widely spaced by distance and collection date and it was postulated that coliforms able to survive an Arctic environment had spread extensively throughout the expedition area. In conclusion, this study contributes towards knowledge of naturally occurring antibiotic resistance, confirms the presence of plasmids and genotypic data provided evidence that potentially ancient organisms from glaciers can be cultured from water samples significantly distant.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2000

Timing of the Last Glacial Maximum from observed sea-level minima

During the Last Glacial Maximum, ice sheets covered large areas in northern latitudes and global temperatures were significantly lower than today. But few direct estimates exist of the volume of the ice sheets, or the timing and rates of change during their advance and retreat. Here we analyse four distinct sediment facies in the shallow, tectonically stable Bonaparte Gulf, Australia--each of which is characteristic of a distinct range in sea level--to estimate the maximum volume of land-based ice during the last glaciation and the timing of the initial melting phase. We use faunal assemblages and preservation status of the sediments to distinguish open marine, shallow marine, marginal marine and brackish conditions, and estimate the timing and the mass of the ice sheets using radiocarbon dating and glacio-hydro-isostatic modelling. Our results indicate that from at least 22,000 to 19,000 (calendar) years before present, land-based ice volume was at its maximum, exceeding today's grounded ice sheets by 52.5 x 10(6) km. A rapid decrease in ice volume by about 10% within a few hundred years terminated the Last Glacial Maximum at 19,000 +/- 250 years.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Superinelastic electron transfer: electron trapping in H2O ice via the N-2((2)Pi(g)) resonance.

We present measurements on the trapping of 0-3 eV electrons in H2O ice films covered with a submonolayer of N2 molecules. At the energy of the N-2((2)Pi(g)) shape resonance, the absolute cross section for electron trapping in ice is approximately 5.5 x 10(-16) cm(2), similar to that for vibrational excitations of gaseous N2 via the resonance. This result, indicating that nearly all electrons from autoionization of N-2((2)Pi(g)) are transferred to electron traps in ice, is explained by superinelastic electron transfer from N-2((2)Pi(g)) into preexisting traps in polar ice, leaving N2 in high vibrational excited states.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Campylobacter recovery from external and internal organs of commercial broiler carcass prior to scalding.

Campylobacter is a human pathogen commonly found on live broilers and processed carcasses. To plan effective intervention strategies, it would be helpful to know which Campylobacter populations are associated with the external and internal organs of broilers. Six carcasses were collected after exiting the bleed tunnel at a commercial broiler plant on each of three visits (n = 18). Carcasses were placed individually into sterile plastic bags, sealed, and covered with ice for transport to the laboratory. Five locations were sampled aseptically from each carcass: breast feathers (hand picked from the sternal tracts); breast skin, including the sternal tracts; crop; ceca; and colon. Samples included adhering contamination or lumen contents and were covered with phosphate-buffered saline and blended. Serial dilutions were made for examination of Campylobacter, coliform, Escherichia coli, and total aerobic bacterial populations. Average sample weights (grams) were as follows: feathers, 1.5; skin, 6.5; crop, 5.1; ceca, 7.8; and colon, 3.1. Campylobacter populations (mean log10 colony-forming units per gram of sample) found were feathers, 5.4; skin, 3.8; crop, 4.7; ceca, 7.3; and colon, 7.2. Coliform/E. coli populations observed were feathers, 6.4/6.0; skin, 5.3/4.9; crop, 4.3/3.7; ceca, 6.6/6.2; and colon, 5.8/5.3. Total aerobic bacterial populations found were feathers, 7.9; skin, 7.1; crop, 5.8; ceca, 6.8; and colon, 6.4. On a per gram basis, ceca and colon are the internal organs that if ruptured could cause the highest number of Campylobacter to be leaked onto the carcass. The crop also contained more Campylobacter per gram than did the skin, and if compromised may increase the numbers on the surface of the carcass. However, even with no contamination from an internal organ, a substantial population of Campylobacter is already resident on broiler skin as the carcass enters the early stages of processing.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed2003

Ice core records of atmospheric N2O covering the last 106,000 years.

Paleoatmospheric records of trace-gas concentrations recovered from ice cores provide important sources of information on many biogeochemical cycles involving carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen. Here, we present a 106,000-year record of atmospheric nitrous oxide (N2O) along with corresponding isotopic records spanning the last 30,000 years, which together suggest minimal changes in the ratio of marine to terrestrial N2O production. During the last glacial termination, both marine and oceanic N2O emissions increased by 40 +/- 8%. We speculate that our records do not support those hypotheses that invoke enhanced export production to explain low carbon dioxide values during glacial periods.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Planetary science: are there active glaciers on Mars?

Head et al. interpret spectacular images from the Mars Express high-resolution stereo camera as evidence of geologically recent rock glaciers in Tharsis and of a piedmont ('hourglass') glacier at the base of a 3-km-high massif east of Hellas. They attribute growth of the low-latitude glaciers to snowfall during periods of increased spin-axis obliquity. The age of the hourglass glacier, considered to be inactive and slowly shrinking beneath a debris cover in the absence of modern snowfall, is estimated to be more than 40 Myr. Although we agree that the maximum glacier extent was climatically controlled, we find evidence in the images to support local augmentation of accumulation from snowfall through a mechanism that does not require climate change on Mars.

Climate↗
PubMed2003

Environmental ice photochemistry: monochlorophenols.

Photolysis of 2- and 4-chlorophenol samples in water ice of the initial concentrations 10(-7) to 10(-2) mol L(-1) is reported. Major phototransformations appeared to be based on the coupling reactions due to chlorophenol aggregation at the grain boundaries of the polycrystalline state. The main products, chlorobiphenyldiols, belong to the family of phenolic halogenated compounds (such as hydroxylated polychlorobiphenyls) that are known xenobiotics found in nature. No photosolvolysis products, that is products from intermolecular reactions between organic and water molecules, were observed at temperatures below -10 degrees C. Raising the temperature to -5 degrees C caused a moderate photosolvolytic activity in the case of 4-chlorophenol (formation of hydroquinone), in contrast to 2-chlorophenol which was almost exclusively transformed into pyrocatechol. It is suggested that photosolvolysis above this temperature occurs in a liquid or quasi-liquid layer that covers the ice crystal surfaces. The results support our model in which significant amounts of some persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic compounds may be generated by photochemistry of primary pollutants in cold ecosystems and in the upper atmosphere, and may be subsequently released to the environment.

Chlorophenols↗
PubMed2005

Analysis of a firn core for assessing POP seasonal accumulation on an Alpine glacier.

Organochlorine pesticides (DDTs, HCHs, HCB) and selected PCBs were analyzed in samples from a firn core drilled on the Lys Glacier (4240 m above sea level, Monte Rosa Group, Italian Alps) in Summer 2000. The samples covered a relatively short time interval (from 1997 to 2000) and a seasonal detail breakdown was possible. A probable seasonal trend was observed only for gamma-HCH, a pesticide currently used in some European countries. For all other chemicals, a seasonal trend was not evident, and this supports the hypothesis of the prevailing role of long-range transport in comparison with local emissions for POP pollution in high mountains. The role of temperature on air-snow exchange has also been highlighted.

Environmental Monitoring↗
PubMed2002

Molecular analysis of the Pleistocene history of Saxifraga oppositifolia in the Alps.

A recent circumpolar survey of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) haplotypes identified Pleistocene glacial refugia for the Arctic-Alpine Saxifraga oppositifolia in the Arctic and, potentially, at more southern latitudes. However, evidence for glacial refugia within the ice sheet covering northern Europe during the last glacial period was not detected either with cpDNA or in another study of S. oppositifolia that surveyed random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) variation. If any genotypes survived in such refugia, they must have been swamped by massive postglacial immigration of periglacial genotypes. The present study tested whether it is possible to reconstruct the Pleistocene history of S. oppositifolia in the European Alps using molecular methods. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of cpDNA of S. oppositifolia, partly sampled from potential nunatak areas, detected two common European haplotypes throughout the Alps, while three populations harboured two additional, rare haplotypes. RAPD analysis confirmed the results of former studies on S. oppositifolia; high within, but low among population genetic variation and no particular geographical patterning. Some Alpine populations were not perfectly nested in this common gene pool and contained private RAPD markers, high molecular variance or rare cpDNA haplotypes, indicating that the species could possibly have survived on ice-free mountain tops (nunataks) in some parts of the Alps during the last glaciation. However, the overall lack of a geographical genetic pattern suggests that there was massive immigration of cpDNA and RAPD genotypes by seed and pollen flow during postglacial times. Thus, the glacial history of S. oppositifolia in the Alps appears to resemble closely that suggested previously for the species in northern Europe.

Austria↗
PubMed2003

Fungal colonization of shrub willow roots at the forefront of a receding glacier.

Shrub willows ( Salix spp.) form associations with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM), ectomycorrhizal (EM) and dark septate endophytic (DSE) fungi. Willow root colonization by these three types of fungi was studied on a deglaciated forefront of Lyman Glacier, Washington, USA. Root colonization was low; less than 1% of the root length was colonized by AM and 25.6% by DSE. EM colonized 25% of the root tips and 19.4% of the root length. AM and DSE colonization were not related to distance from the present glacier terminus or to canopy cover. EM colonization increased with distance from the glacier terminus based on gridline intercept data but not on root tip frequency data. Availability of propagules in the substrate was low, but numbers of propagules increased with distance from the glacier terminus. The EM communities were dominated by three ascomycetes showing affinity to Sordariaceae in BLAST analyses. Other frequent taxa on the glacier forefront included species of Cortinariaceae, Pezizaceae, Russulaceae, Thelephoraceae and Tricholomataceae. When occurrence of individual taxa was used as a response variable to canopy cover, distance from the glacier terminus, and their interaction, four different fungal guilds were identified: 1) fungi that did not respond to these environmental variables; 2) fungi that occurred mainly in intercanopy areas and decreased with distance from the glacier terminus; 3) fungi that were insensitive to canopy cover but increased with distance from the glacier terminus; 4) fungi that occurred mainly under willow canopies and increased with distance from the glacier terminus. We suggest that fungal colonization is mainly limited by fungal propagule availability. Environmental conditions may also limit successful establishment of plant-fungus associations. We propose that the four EM guilds partly explain successional dynamics. The initial EM community comprises fungi that tolerate low organic matter and nitrogen environment (first and second guilds above). During later community development, these fungi are replaced by those that benefit from an increased organic matter and nitrogen environment (third and fourth guilds above).

Ascomycota↗
PubMed2005

Ecosystem development and carbon cycle on a glacier foreland in the high Arctic, Ny-Alesund, Svalbard.

The Arctic terrestrial ecosystem is thought to be extremely susceptible to climate change. However, because of the diverse responses of ecosystem components to change, an overall response of the ecosystem carbon cycle to climate change is still hard to predict. In this review, we focus on several recent studies conducted to clarify the pattern of the carbon cycle on the deglaciated area of Ny-Alesund, Svalbard in the high Arctic. Vegetation cover and soil carbon pools tended to increase with the progress of succession. However, even in the latter stages of succession, the size of the soil carbon pool was much smaller than those reported for the low Arctic tundra. Cryptogams contributed the major proportion of phytomass in the later stages. However, because of water limitation, their net primary production was smaller than that of the vascular plants. The compartment model that incorporated major carbon pools and flows suggested that the ecosystem of the later stages is likely to be a net sink of carbon at least for the summer season. Based on the eco-physiological characteristics of the major ecosystem components, we suggest several possible scenarios of future changes in the ecosystem carbon cycle.

Arctic Regions↗
PubMed2006

Crustacea in Arctic and Antarctic sea ice: distribution, diet and life history strategies.

This review concerns crustaceans that associate with sea ice. Particular emphasis is placed on comparing and contrasting the Arctic and Antarctic sea ice habitats, and the subsequent influence of these environments on the life history strategies of the crustacean fauna. Sea ice is the dominant feature of both polar marine ecosystems, playing a central role in physical processes and providing an essential habitat for organisms ranging in size from viruses to whales. Similarities between the Arctic and Antarctic marine ecosystems include variable cover of sea ice over an annual cycle, a light regimen that can extend from months of total darkness to months of continuous light and a pronounced seasonality in primary production. Although there are many similarities, there are also major differences between the two regions: The Antarctic experiences greater seasonal change in its sea ice extent, much of the ice is over very deep water and more than 80% breaks out each year. In contrast, Arctic sea ice often covers comparatively shallow water, doubles in its extent on an annual cycle and the ice may persist for several decades. Crustaceans, particularly copepods and amphipods, are abundant in the sea ice zone at both poles, either living within the brine channel system of the ice-crystal matrix or inhabiting the ice-water interface. Many species associate with ice for only a part of their life cycle, while others appear entirely dependent upon it for reproduction and development. Although similarities exist between the two faunas, many differences are emerging. Most notable are the much higher abundance and biomass of Antarctic copepods, the dominance of the Antarctic sea ice copepod fauna by calanoids, the high euphausiid biomass in Southern Ocean waters and the lack of any species that appear fully dependent on the ice. In the Arctic, the ice-associated fauna is dominated by amphipods. Calanoid copepods are not tightly associated with the ice, while harpacticoids and cyclopoids are abundant. Euphausiids are nearly absent from the high Arctic. Life history strategies are variable, although reproductive cycles and life spans are generally longer than those for temperate congeners. Species at both poles tend to be opportunistic feeders and periods of diapause or other reductions in metabolic expenditure are not uncommon.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Characterization of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase in the liver of the frog: 3. Response to freezing and thawing in the freeze-tolerant wood frog Rana sylvatica.

The freeze tolerant wood frog Rana sylvatica was studied to determine the impact of the freezing and thawing of this frog on the activity of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase in the liver. On exposure to -2.5 degrees C, for 1, 12 and 24 h, frogs were found to be cool, covered with ice crystals and frozen, respectively. Thawing for 24 h at 4 degrees C recovered the frogs completely. A 45 per cent decrease in the liver weight: body weight ratio was notable after 1 h at -2.5 degrees C, suggestive of an early hepatic capacitance response. A glycemic response to freezing was observed: blood glucose levels exhibited a 55 per cent decrease after 1 h at -2.5 degrees C on cooling; a 10.5-fold increase after 12 h at -2.5 degrees C on the initiation of freezing; and a 22-fold increase after 24 h at -2.5 degrees C in the fully frozen state. Blood glucose levels remained elevated four-fold in the thawed state. Plasma insulin levels were increased twofold in the frozen state and 1.8-fold in the thawed state, while plasma ketone levels were increased 1.8-fold in the frozen state and 1.5-fold in the thawed state. Plasma total T3 levels were decreased by 22 per cent in the frozen state and normalized on thawing. In homogenates and plasma membranes isolated from the livers of Rana sylvatica, the activity of gamma-glutamyltrans-peptidase was found to be elevated at all stages of the freeze-thaw process. After 1, 12 and 24 h at -2.5 degrees C, activities were increased 2.5-, 2.3-, 2.4-fold respectively in the homogenates and 2.5-, 2.2-, 2.4-fold respectively in the plasma membranes. After thawing, activities were still increased 1.9-fold in both homogenates and plasma membranes. In homogenates prepared from the kidneys of Rana sylvatica, the activity of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase was increased 1.4-fold after 1 h at -2.5 degrees C after which it returned to normal. The role of thyroid hormone in producing the increase in gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase in the liver of Rana sylvatica in response to freezing is discussed as is the significance of the enzyme increase in terms of hepatic cytoprotection and freeze tolerance.

Adaptation, Physiological↗