Geomicrobiology of Blood Falls: An Iron-Rich Saline Discharge at the Terminus of the Taylor Glacier, Antarctica |
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| Authors: | Jill A Mikucki Christine M Foreman Birgit Sattler W Berry Lyons John C Priscu |
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| Institution: | (1) Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA;(2) Institut f\,\ ur Zoologie und Limnologie, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria;(3) Byrd Polar Research Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA |
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| Abstract: | Blood Falls, a saline subglacial discharge from the Taylor Glacier, Antarctica provides an example of the diverse physical and chemical niches available for life in the polar desert of the McMurdo Dry Valleys. Geochemical analysis of Blood Falls outflow resembles concentrated seawater remnant from the Pliocene intrusion of marine waters combined with products of weathering. The result is an iron-rich, salty seep at the terminus of Taylor Glacier, which is subject to episodic releases into permanently ice-covered Lake Bonney. Blood Falls influences the geochemistry of Lake Bonney, and provides organic carbon and viable microbes to the lakesystem. Here we present the first data on the geobiology of Blood Falls and relate it totheevolutionary history of this unique environment. The novel geological evolution of thissubglacial environment makes Blood Falls an important site for the study of metabolic strategiesin subglacial environments and the impact of subglacial efflux on associated lake ecosystems. |
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| Keywords: | Antarctica McMurdo Dry Valleys subglacial environment saline lakes pliocene sea microbial diversity |
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