Glacier Algae: A Dark Past and a Darker Future

Frontiers in Microbiology

Joseph M. Cook¹  Christopher J. Williamson²  Arwyn Edwards³  Marek Stibal³  Jakub D. Zarsky⁴  Karen A. Cameron⁵ 

[1] Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, United Kingdom;Bristol Glaciology Centre, School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom;Department of Ecology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia;Department of Geography, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom;;Institute of Biological, Environmental &

关键词: glacier algae;    Streptophytes;    albedo;    terrestrialization;    ice;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fmicb.2019.00524

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

“Glacier algae” grow on melting glacier and ice sheet surfaces across the cryosphere, causing the ice to absorb more solar energy and consequently melt faster, while also turning over carbon and nutrients. This makes glacier algal assemblages, which are typically dominated by just three main species, a potentially important yet under-researched component of the global biosphere, carbon, and water cycles. This review synthesizes current knowledge on glacier algae phylogenetics, physiology, and ecology. We discuss their significance for the evolution of early land plants and highlight their impacts on the physical and chemical supraglacial environment including their role as drivers of positive feedbacks to climate warming, thereby demonstrating their influence on Earth’s past and future. Four complementary research priorities are identified, which will facilitate broad advances in glacier algae research, including establishment of reliable culture collections, sequencing of glacier algae genomes, development of diagnostic biosignatures for remote sensing, and improved predictive modeling of glacier algae biological-albedo effects.

【 授权许可】

Unknown