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Bacterial activity in South Pole snow.

Author(s) : CARPENTER E. J., LIN S., CAPONE D. G.

Type of article: Article

Summary

Large populations (200 to 5000 cells/ ml in snowmelt) of bacteria were present in surface snow and firn from the South Pole sampled in January 1999 and 2000. DNA isolated from this snow yielded ribosomal DNA sequences similar to those of several psychrophilic bacteria and a bacterium which aligns closely with members of the genus Deinococcus, an ionizing-radiation- and desiccation-resistant genus. The authors obtained evidence of low rates of bacterial DNA and protein synthesis which indicates that the organisms were metabolizing at ambient subzero temperatures (-12 to -17 °C).

Details

  • Original title: Bacterial activity in South Pole snow.
  • Record ID : 2001-2508
  • Languages: English
  • Subject: Environment, General information
  • Source: Appl. environ. Microbiol. - vol. 66 - n. 10
  • Publication date: 2000/10

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