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Research Projects Snow Microbial Ecology
Right: Frog Lake. |
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Keywords: Snow, microbiology, ice active substances, ice nucleating substances, antifreezes, ice binding proteins, Frog Lake Project Description 
Environments with seasonal freezing and thawing water can produce difficult places for microorganisms to grow and survive. Some microbes have developed strategies for coping with these freezing environments. One such way is the creation of ice active substances (IAS), which compensate for low water activity and prevent damage to cells. IASs produced by bacteria and algae include ice nucleating substances (that initiate ice crystal formation outside the cell), antifreezes (that prevent ice crystal formation) and ice binding proteins (that bind ice crystals). In an effort to understand the potential role of IAS production in snow environments we are investigating the spatial structure and activities of snow microbes (e.g. Chlamydomonas, Chloromonas and associated microbiota) in high alpine snow fields. These microbes are often responsible for the watermelon colored snow found during the summer. We are then assaying for the presence of IASs and seeking to isolate psychrotolerant microbes that produce these materials within the snow environment. The preliminary research takes place at Frog Lake, located at 9,000 ft in the Eastern Sierras along highway 88 at the junction with the Pacific Coast Trail. (Above Right) Click on picture to view Image Gallery. |
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