GCMD




	Agriculture

	Atmosphere

	Biological Classification

	Biosphere

	Cryosphere

	Human Dimensions

	Land Surface

	Oceans

	Paleoclimate

	Solid Earth

	Spectral/Engineering

	Sun-Earth Interactions

	Terrestrial Hydrosphere



	Data Centers

	Locations

	Instruments/Sensors

	Platforms/Sources

	Projects

Are you using a browser that doesn't support JavaScript or have you disabled JavaScript?

If you have disabled JavaScript, you must re-enable JavaScript to use this page.
Or you can view this record using the Text Only Format.

Record Search Query:

The importance of aerial transport in the distribution of microbes, the role of dried mats as reservoirs of viable propagules and the assessment of the habitat for the germination, growth and persistence of propagules

Entry ID: K082_1990_1992_NZ_1

[ Update this Record ]

Summary

Abstract: The potential importance of dried cyanobacterial mats as sources of propagules for local dissemination was studied at Bratina Island (McMurdo Ice Shelf), Lake Fryxell (Taylor Valley) and Cape Crozier (Ross Island). The McMurdo Ice Shelf is an area covered by pools, lakes, streams and rivers, many of which contain abundant growths of algae and cyanobacteria mats. Often the pools dry out when pond ... water levels fall leaving behind dried mats. Viable propagules were found in this material even after air exposure for 3 years. The dispersal mechanisms of propagules to and within the continent were investigated by sampling for propagules and measuring meteorological variables. The importance of aerial transport in the distribution of algae and cyanobacteria was determined by sampling the air and deploying Tauber traps for propagules. The contents were subjected to three media created to mimic three of the MIS ponds with contrasting water chemistries (fresh, brackish and salty water). Meteorological information (wind speed and direction at Lake Frxyell and Bratina Island and temperature (air and ground), humidity, net radiation, solar radiation, UV-A and UV-B at Bratina Island only) was collected in conjunction with spore trap deployment at different heights above ground level (0, 100, 300, 800, 1600mm). At Bratina Island the ability of cyanobacterial mats to survive prolonged aerial exposure was investigated by determining the time course changes in pigment content, photosynthetic and respiratory potential and carbon, nitrogen and ash content after aerial exposure from cores of mat from two ponds. The potential of mats which had been dried for 3 years to initiate new growth when wetted (fresh, brackish and salty water) was determined. Transect surveys were undertaken to classify terrain type (bare ice, pond, seepage or soil with or without salt crust or vegetation). At 50 or 100m intervals, soil temperatures were recorded and samples taken for analysis of water content, salt content and chlorophyll a (as a measure of biomass). Small scale surveys of these parameters were undertaken in areas providing environmental gradients including transects across moss stands and drainage gulleys. Cyanobacterial mat cores (3mm diam) were incubated at different salinities with 14C as a tracer and analysed to understand the effects of salinity. To investigate the importance of layer, cyanobacterial mats were isolated from different layers within mats and their pigment content, photosynthetic responses to a range of light intensities and potential to form new mats was determined.

Related URL

Link: VIEW PROJECT HOME PAGE

Geographic Coverage

(Click for Interactive Map)

Spatial coordinates

N: -78.0

S: -78.0

E: 165.33

W: 165.33

(View on interactive map)

N: -77.62

S: -77.62

E: 163.18

W: 163.18

(View on interactive map)

N: -77.52

S: -77.52

E: 169.4

W: 169.4

(View on interactive map)

Temporal Coverage

Start Date: 1990-11-29

Stop Date: 1991-01-05

Start Date: 1992-01-02

Stop Date: 1992-01-28

Location Keywords

CONTINENT > ANTARCTICA

CONTINENT > ANTARCTICA > MCMURDO ICE SHELF

Science Keywords

BIOSPHERE > TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS > WETLANDS

BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION > BACTERIA/ARCHAEA > CYANOBACTERIA (BLUE-GREEN ALGAE)

ISO Topic Category

BIOTA

INLAND WATERS

Platform

FIELD SURVEYS

FIELD INVESTIGATION

Ancillary Keywords

recruitment

propagules

dispersal

Data Set Progress

COMPLETE

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