Title
Perennial antarctic lake ice: An oasis for life in a polar desert
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-26-1998
Abstract
The permanent ice covers of Antarctic lakes in the Mcmurdo Dry valleys develop liquid water inclusions in response to solar heating of internal aeolian-derived sediments. The ice sediment particles serve as nutrient (inorganic and organic)-enriched microzones for the establishment of a physiologically and ecologically complex microbial consortium capable of contemporaneous photosynthesis, nitrogen fixation, and decomposition. The consortium is capable of physically and chemically establishing and modifying a relatively nutrient-and organic matter-enriched microbial 'oasis' embedded in the lake ice cover.
Publication Source (Journal or Book title)
Science
First Page
2095
Last Page
2098
Recommended Citation
Priscu, J., Fritsen, C., Adams, E., Giovannoni, S., Paerl, H., McKay, C., Doran, P., Gordon, D., Lanoil, B., & Pinckney, J. (1998). Perennial antarctic lake ice: An oasis for life in a polar desert. Science, 280 (5372), 2095-2098. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.280.5372.2095