Controls on microalgal community structures in cryoconite holes upon high Arctic glaciers, Svalbard

Vonnahme, T. R.; Devetter, M.; Žárský, J. D.; Šabacká, M.; Elster, J.. 2016 Controls on microalgal community structures in cryoconite holes upon high Arctic glaciers, Svalbard. Biogeosciences, 13. 659-674. https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-13-659-2016

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Official URL: http://www.biogeosciences.net/13/659/2016/

Abstract/Summary

Glaciers are known to harbor surprisingly complex ecosystems. On their surface, distinct cylindrical holes filled with meltwater and sediments are considered as hot spots for microbial life. The present paper addresses possible biological interactions within the community of prokaryotic cyanobacteria and eukaryotic microalgae (microalgae) and relations to their potential grazers, additional to their environmental controls. Svalbard glaciers with substantial allochthonous input of material from local sources reveal high microalgal densities. Small valley glaciers with high sediment coverages and high impact of birds show high biomasses and support a high biological diversity. Invertebrate grazer densities do not show any significant negative correlation with microalgal abundances, but a positive correlation with eukaryotic microalgae. Most microalgae found in this study form large colonies (< 10 cells, or > 25 μm), which may protect them against invertebrate grazing. This finding rather indicates grazing as a positive control on eukaryotic microalgae by nutrient recycling. Density differences between the eukaryotic microalgae and prokaryotic cyanobacteria and their high distinction in RDA and PCA analyses indicate that these two groups are in strong contrast. Eukaryotic microalgae occurred mainly in unstable cryoconite holes with high sediment loads, high N : P ratios, and a high impact of bird guano, as a proxy for nutrients. In these environments autochthonous nitrogen fixation appears to be negligible. Selective wind transport of Oscillatoriales via soil and dust particles is proposed to explain their dominance in cryoconites further away from the glacier margins. We propose that, for the studied glaciers, nutrient levels related to recycling of limiting nutrients is the main factor driving variation in the community structure of microalgae and grazers.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-13-659-2016
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > BAS Programmes 2015 > Ecosystems
ISSN:	1726-4170
Date made live:	10 Aug 2015 13:09 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/511481

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-13-659-2016

Programmes:

BAS Programmes > BAS Programmes 2015 > Ecosystems

ISSN:

1726-4170

Date made live:

10 Aug 2015 13:09 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/511481