Polarnet Technical Report
since vast snow and ice fields of the Earth's cryosphere have been recognized as habitats for different organisms, life in ice is no longer a paradox. According to the latest trend in cryo research, cryoconites are now seen as micro ecosystems with high ecological relevance for glaciers worldwide. In alpine glaciers cryoconites are often found to contain rather high concentrations of radioactive remnants from atmospheric atomic bomb tests and the Chernobyl accident, suggesting a distinct microbial community capable to cope with higher radioactive doses as usual. GLIMCOs (glacier ice microbial communities) seem to be relevant for the formation of cryoconites and, thus, determine the chemical milieu which in turn is responsible for the efficient accumulation, retention and release of radionuclides and other pollutants. Therefore, an investigation of the functional biodiversity of GLIMCOS is crucial for the study of nutrient fluxes and accumulation, absorption and biological uptake of fallout compounds in glaciers. Since glaciers are retreating worldwide the accumulated radionuclides may be washed out within a short time, thus a better understanding of the processes involved in storage and release of radionuclides are urgently needed. On the other hand, radioactive tracers may help to recognize the dynamics of origin and transformation of cryoconites and possibly their erosion, ablation and weathering. A more detailed study will follow this preliminary description of scenarios. Keyword: glaciers, cryoconite holes, microbial communities, radionuclides, Alps, Svalbard. 8th Ny Alesund seminar, Cambridge, UK 16 17 October 2007