Arctic Soils & springs

Even the most hostile of arctic environments are turning out to be habitats for a remarkable diversity of microbial life that are adapted to survive and sometimes thrive under extreme conditions. These so-called «extremophiles» provide insights into how life may have evolved on early Earth (and perhaps elsewhere?) and the adaptive strategies that allow microbes to contend with such harsh conditions. Permanently frozen soils (permafrost) provide a vast habitat for microbiota across the circumpolar Arctic, and given the huge stocks of organic carbon that are stored in these northern high latitude soils, there is much interest in how microbial communities may break down these materials and convert them to greenhouse gases. Little is known, however, about the microbial biodiversity of these environments. At certain locations across the Arctic, the soils have been contaminated with transport fuels and other pollutants. An important objective for northern microbiologists is therefore to develop bioremediation strategies for these soils, using natural microbes to break down and detoxify the pollutants.

Microbiological studies are also currently underway on saline springs in the Canadian High Arctic. These are so high in salt content that they never freeze, and flowing water conditions are likely to persist throughout winter. Despite this combination of extreme cold and hypersalinity, the springs turn out to be living systems, with a consortium of microbiota that are able to grow within these harsh conditions.

Links:

Permafrost soils

Arctic soil and springs microbiology laboratory

Permafrost soil biodiversity