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Investigation into the environmental factors that drive microbial diversity in the soils of the Miers Valley, Mt Erebus, Bratina Island and Beacon Valley

Entry ID: K023_2007_2008_NZ_1

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Summary

Abstract: In this study, the active microbial component in the Dry Valleys system was characterized using newly developed molecular techniques with the aid of in situ augmentation and cloches (wind protection) which dampen the effects of the extreme weather conditions unique to the ecosystem. The aim was to ascertain those bacteria that are truly functional and to understand the environmental factors ... driving the incredible microbial diversity in this system. 152 mineral soil samples and 145 hypolith samples were collected from the Miers Valley. Two mummified seal tissue samples were also collected. Mineral soil samples were collected from Battleship Promontory and from the Upper Wright Valley. Some rock samples were also collected from Battleship Promontory, Marble Point and the Upper Wright Valley. Soil samples were also used for in situ augmentation and stable isotope probing (SIP) experiments in conjunction with cloches. Specific experiments include: 1) Microbial biomass was determined by in situ ATP analysis. 2) The drivers for microbial diversity were identified from collected soil samples subjected to in situ incubation after augmentation of carbon (glucose), nitrogen (NH4Cl), water (deionized and sterile) or combinations of these potential drivers. ATP levels and CO2 flux were measured for augmented samples over time to monitor the effect of those augmentations on overall biomass and activity and then analysed further using molecular techniques. 3) SIP analysis was used to augment microbial communities in soil, followed by extraction of total DNA. Organisms that are alive and active and respond to the addition of the isotope incorporate it into their DNA. 4) Cloches were used to trap heat from solar radiation and provide shelter from cooling winds. In situ soil augmentation and SIP experiments were placed in cloches to dampen the effects of extreme weather on the samples and to maximize solar gain. 5) DNA and RNA were extracted to provide zero-time controls. 6) The quality of water present in the soil was determined by measuring water activity and water potential. 7) The flux of CO2 out of the augmented (under seal or hypolith) soil compared to an unaugmented control was measured. 8) Replicate hypolith samples of structurally different classes were sampled and subsequently weighed for carbon and nitrogen analysis. Data loggers measured temperature, soil humidity and incident light over a 7 day period. Sensors were deployed for long term measurments. Collected samples (comprising DNA extracts, soil samples, mummified seal tissue samples, RNALater-stabilised soil samples, rock samples, hypolith samples) were returned to the University of Waikato.

Related URL

Link: VIEW RELATED INFORMATION

Description: The investigators homepage

Geographic Coverage

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Spatial coordinates

	N: -78.09	S: -78.09	E: 163.81	W: 163.81
Min Altitude: 171 Max Altitude: 1024
Min Depth: 0.01 Max Depth: 0.3

	N: -77.52	S: -77.52	E: 160.76	W: 160.76
Min Altitude: 171 Max Altitude: 1024
Min Depth: 0.01 Max Depth: 0.3

	N: -76.91	S: -76.91	E: 160.91	W: 160.91
Min Altitude: 171 Max Altitude: 1024
Min Depth: 0.01 Max Depth: 0.3

Parent DIF

This data set description is a member of a collection. The collection is described in
K023_2004_2008_NZ_1

Temporal Coverage

Start Date: 2008-01-02

Stop Date: 2008-02-22

Location Keywords

CONTINENT > ANTARCTICA

CONTINENT > ANTARCTICA > BATTLESHIP PROMONTORY

Science Keywords

LAND SURFACE > SOILS > MICRONUTRIENTS/TRACE ELEMENTS

LAND SURFACE > SOILS > SOIL MOISTURE/WATER CONTENT

ISO Topic Category

BIOTA

ENVIRONMENT

GEOSCIENTIFIC INFORMATION

Platform

FIELD SURVEYS

LABORATORY

Instrument

SOIL MOISTURE PROBE

SOIL SAMPLER

SOIL TEMPERATURE PROBE

Project

LTER > Long-Term Ecological Research

LGP > Latitudinal Gradient Project

IPY > INTERNATIONAL POLAR YEAR

EBA > Evolution and Biodiversity in the Antarctic

Quality Rocks and sand were collected from the Miers Valley, Upper Wright Valley and Battleship Promontory. All of the collected samples are stored at the University of Waikato, Hamilton New Zealand in a PC2 containment facility. Various amounts of the samples are held at the University of Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa. The samples are stored at -80C. The samples were used for DNA analysis and this analysis uses very little material. Therefore, most if not all, of the samples still exist.

Please contact the investigator for more information.

Data Set Progress

IN WORK

Data Center

Antarctica New Zealand, New Zealand Antarctic Institute, New Zealand

Data Center URL: http://www.antarcticanz.govt.nz/

Data Center Personnel
Name: SHULAMIT GORDON Phone: +64 3 358 0200 Fax: +64 3 358 0211 Email: s.gordon at antarcticanz.govt.nz Contact Address: Antarctica New Zealand Private Bag 4745 City: Christchurch Country: New Zealand

Personnel

CRAIG CARY

Role: INVESTIGATOR

Phone: +64 7 838 4593

Fax: +64 7 838 4218

Email: caryc at UDel.Edu

Email: c.cary at waikato.ac.nz

Contact Address:

Department of Biological Sciences

University of Waikato

PO BOX 3105

City: Hamilton

Postal Code: 3105

Country: New Zealand

Publications/References

Cowan, D.A. Ah Tow, L. Smith, J.J. Cary, C. Moodley, K. 2005 Microbial molecular ecology of continental Antarctic biotopes. Antarctica: Global Laboratory for Scientific and International Collaboration. Tan, A., Yasin, Z., Mansor, M.(eds), Kuala Lumpur Academy of Sciences Malaysia

Adams, B.J. Bardgett, R.D. Ayres, E. Wall, D.H. Aislabie, J. Bamforth, S. Bargagli, R. Cary, C. ...

Creation and Review Dates

DIF Creation Date: 2009-04-30

Last DIF Revision Date: 2009-07-02

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