Summary Abstract: Soil samples were collected from the summit of Mt Erebus and Mt Melbourne geothermal areas. Previous sampling of this area (1980) indicated the absence of bacteria which are common in other hot springs with similar pH and temperature profiles. The aim of this investigation was to confirm these findings and to determine the dominant bacteria at these sites. In addition, culturing of any novel organisms that might be present was initiated. Four groups of thermophilic bacteria were mainly investigated: Thermus, archaebacteria, hydrogen-oxidising eubacteria and cellulolytic eubacteria. Several samples were obtained at the summit of Mt Erebus from the sites at Tramway Ridge and on the side of the Southern Crater. Samples were also taken at the base of several steaming fumaroles (ice towers), from soil and ice around the summit rim and within the southern crater. One day was spent sampling on the Mt Melbourne summit. The pH and temperature at each sampling site was measured. Extraction of DNA from soil samples were completed and the specific amplification of the 16srRNA gene and it subsequent sequence analysis was used to identify culturable organism. Results of culturing confirmed earlier findings that Thermus is absent from the Mt Erebus thermal sites and aerobic spore forming Gram positive bacilli are the dominant aerobic bacteria present.

Geographic Coverage

N: -77.5167

S: -77.5167

E: 167.1

W: 167.1

N: -74.35

S: -74.35

E: 164.7

W: 164.7

Temporal Coverage

Start Date: 1995-01-13

Stop Date: 1995-01-20

Location Keywords

CONTINENT > ANTARCTICA CONTINENT > ANTARCTICA > MT EREBUS CONTINENT > ANTARCTICA > MT MELBOURNE GEOGRAPHIC REGION > POLAR

Science Keywords

BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION >BACTERIA/ARCHAEA    [Definition]

ISO Topic Category

BIOTA

Platform

LABORATORY    [Information]

FIELD INVESTIGATION    [Information]

Data Set Progress

COMPLETE

Originating Center

Data Center

Antarctica New Zealand, New Zealand Antarctic Institute, New Zealand    [Information] 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

HUGH MORGAN Role: INVESTIGATOR Phone: +64-7-838-4705 Fax: +64-7-838-4324 Email: h.morgan at waikato.ac.nz Contact Address: Department of Biological Sciences University of Waikato Private Bag 3105 City: Hamilton Country: New Zealand

CEISHA POIROT Role: DIF AUTHOR Phone: +64 3 358 0200 Fax: +64 3 358 0211 Email: c.poirot at antarcticanz.govt.nz Contact Address: Antarctica New Zealand Private Bag 4745 City: Christchurch Country: New Zealand

SHULAMIT GORDON Role: DIF AUTHOR 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

Creation and Review Dates

DIF Creation Date: 2009-05-08 Last DIF Revision Date: 2009-05-11

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