Geomicrobiology of subglacial ice above Lake Vostok, Antarctica

Science
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Abstract

Data from ice 3590 meters below Vostok Station indicate that the ice was accredit from liquid water associated with Lake Vostok. Microbes were observed at concentrations ranging from 2.8 x 103 to 3.6 x 104 cells per milliliter; no biological incorporation of selected organic substrates or bicarbonate was detected. Bacterial 165 ribosomal DNA genes revealed low diversity in the gene population. The phylotypes were closely related to extant members of the alpha- and beta-Proteobacteria and the Actinomycetes. Extrapolation of the data from accretion ice to Lake Vostok implies that Lake Vostok may support a microbial population, despite more than 106 years of isolation from the atmosphere.
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Geomicrobiology of subglacial ice above Lake Vostok, Antarctica
Series title Science
DOI 10.1126/science.286.5447.2141
Volume 286
Issue 5447
Year Published 1999
Language English
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Science
First page 2141
Last page 2144
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