Abiotic factors influence microbial diversity in permanently cold soil horizons of a maritime-associated Antarctic Dry Valley

The McMurdo Dry Valleys collectively comprise the most extensive ice-free region in Antarctica and are considered one of the coldest arid environments on Earth. In low-altitude maritime-associated valleys, mineral soil profiles show distinct horizontal structuring, with a surface arid zone overlying...

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Main Authors: Stomeo, Francesca, Makhalanyane, T.P., Valverde, A., Pointing, S.B., Stevens, M.I., Cary, C.S., Tuffin, M.I., Cowan, D.A.
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: Oxford University Press 2012
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/68338
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author Stomeo, Francesca
Makhalanyane, T.P.
Valverde, A.
Pointing, S.B.
Stevens, M.I.
Cary, C.S.
Tuffin, M.I.
Cowan, D.A.
author_browse Cary, C.S.
Cowan, D.A.
Makhalanyane, T.P.
Pointing, S.B.
Stevens, M.I.
Stomeo, Francesca
Tuffin, M.I.
Valverde, A.
author_facet Stomeo, Francesca
Makhalanyane, T.P.
Valverde, A.
Pointing, S.B.
Stevens, M.I.
Cary, C.S.
Tuffin, M.I.
Cowan, D.A.
author_sort Stomeo, Francesca
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description The McMurdo Dry Valleys collectively comprise the most extensive ice-free region in Antarctica and are considered one of the coldest arid environments on Earth. In low-altitude maritime-associated valleys, mineral soil profiles show distinct horizontal structuring, with a surface arid zone overlying a moist and biologically active zone generated by seasonally melted permafrost. In this study, long-term microenvironmental monitoring data show that temperature and soil humidity regimes vary in the soil horizons of north- and south-facing slopes within the Miers Valley, a maritime valley in the McMurdo Dry Valleys. We found that soil bacterial communities varied from the north to the south. The microbial assemblages at the surface and shallow subsurface depths displayed higher metabolic activity and diversity compared to the permafrost soil interface. Multivariate analysis indicated that K, C, Ca and moisture influenced the distribution and structure of microbial populations. Furthermore, because of the large % RH gradient between the frozen subsurface and the soil surface we propose that water transported to the surface as water vapour is available to microbial populations, either as a result of condensation processes or by direct adsorption from the vapour phase.
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spelling CGSpace683382023-12-08T19:36:04Z Abiotic factors influence microbial diversity in permanently cold soil horizons of a maritime-associated Antarctic Dry Valley Stomeo, Francesca Makhalanyane, T.P. Valverde, A. Pointing, S.B. Stevens, M.I. Cary, C.S. Tuffin, M.I. Cowan, D.A. environment The McMurdo Dry Valleys collectively comprise the most extensive ice-free region in Antarctica and are considered one of the coldest arid environments on Earth. In low-altitude maritime-associated valleys, mineral soil profiles show distinct horizontal structuring, with a surface arid zone overlying a moist and biologically active zone generated by seasonally melted permafrost. In this study, long-term microenvironmental monitoring data show that temperature and soil humidity regimes vary in the soil horizons of north- and south-facing slopes within the Miers Valley, a maritime valley in the McMurdo Dry Valleys. We found that soil bacterial communities varied from the north to the south. The microbial assemblages at the surface and shallow subsurface depths displayed higher metabolic activity and diversity compared to the permafrost soil interface. Multivariate analysis indicated that K, C, Ca and moisture influenced the distribution and structure of microbial populations. Furthermore, because of the large % RH gradient between the frozen subsurface and the soil surface we propose that water transported to the surface as water vapour is available to microbial populations, either as a result of condensation processes or by direct adsorption from the vapour phase. 2012-11 2015-09-30T10:55:44Z 2015-09-30T10:55:44Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/68338 en Open Access Oxford University Press Stomeo, F., Makhalanyane, T.P., Valverde, A., Pointing, S.B., Stevens, M.I., Cary, C.S., Tuffin, M.I. and Cowan, D.A. 2012. Abiotic factors influence microbial diversity in permanently cold soil horizons of a maritime-associated Antarctic Dry Valley. FEMS Microbiology Ecology 82(2):326-340.
spellingShingle environment
Stomeo, Francesca
Makhalanyane, T.P.
Valverde, A.
Pointing, S.B.
Stevens, M.I.
Cary, C.S.
Tuffin, M.I.
Cowan, D.A.
Abiotic factors influence microbial diversity in permanently cold soil horizons of a maritime-associated Antarctic Dry Valley
title Abiotic factors influence microbial diversity in permanently cold soil horizons of a maritime-associated Antarctic Dry Valley
title_full Abiotic factors influence microbial diversity in permanently cold soil horizons of a maritime-associated Antarctic Dry Valley
title_fullStr Abiotic factors influence microbial diversity in permanently cold soil horizons of a maritime-associated Antarctic Dry Valley
title_full_unstemmed Abiotic factors influence microbial diversity in permanently cold soil horizons of a maritime-associated Antarctic Dry Valley
title_short Abiotic factors influence microbial diversity in permanently cold soil horizons of a maritime-associated Antarctic Dry Valley
title_sort abiotic factors influence microbial diversity in permanently cold soil horizons of a maritime associated antarctic dry valley
topic environment
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/68338
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