Articles | Volume 12, issue 11
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-3653-2018
© Author(s) 2018. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-3653-2018
© Author(s) 2018. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
26 Nov 2018
Research article |
| 26 Nov 2018
| 26 Nov 2018
Microbial processes in the weathering crust aquifer of a temperate glacier
Brent C. Christner
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Biodiversity Institute, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
Heather F. Lavender
Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
Christina L. Davis
Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Biodiversity Institute, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
Erin E. Oliver
Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
current address: Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
Sarah U. Neuhaus
Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
Krista F. Myers
Department of Geology and Geophysics, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
Birgit Hagedorn
Sustainable Earth Research LLC, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA
Slawek M. Tulaczyk
Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
Peter T. Doran
Department of Geology and Geophysics, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
William C. Stone
Stone Aerospace, Del Valle, TX 78617, USA
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Discipline: Glaciers | Subject: Biogeochemistry/Biology
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Short summary
Solar radiation that penetrates into the glacier heats the ice to produce nutrient-containing meltwater and provides light that fuels an ecosystem within the ice. Our analysis documents a near-surface photic zone in a glacier that functions as a liquid water oasis in the ice over half the annual cycle. Since microbial growth on glacier surfaces reduces the amount of solar radiation reflected, microbial processes at depths below the surface may also darken ice and accelerate meltwater production.
Solar radiation that penetrates into the glacier heats the ice to produce nutrient-containing...
