Biological processes on glacier and ice sheet surfaces

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F60076658%3A12310%2F12%3A43896887" target="_blank" >RIV/60076658:12310/12:43896887 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/ngeo1611" target="_blank" >https://www.nature.com/articles/ngeo1611</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ngeo1611" target="_blank" >10.1038/ngeo1611</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Biological processes on glacier and ice sheet surfaces

Original language description

Glaciers and ice sheets are melting in response to climate warming. Whereas the physical behaviour of glaciers has been studied intensively, the biological processes associated with glaciers and ice sheets have received less attention. Nevertheless, field observations and laboratory experiments suggest that biological processes that occur on the surface of glaciers and ice sheets - collectively termed supraglacial environments - can affect the physical behaviour of glaciers by changing surface reflectivity. Furthermore, supraglacial cyanobacteria and algae capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and convert it into organic matter. Supraglacial microbes break down this material, together with organic matter transported from further afield, and generate carbon dioxide that is released back into the atmosphere. The balance between these two processes will determine whether a glacier is a net sink or source of carbon dioxide. In general, ice sheet interiors seem to function as sinks, whereas ice sheet edges and small glaciers act as a source. Meltwaters flush microbially modified organic matter and pollutants out of the glacier, with potential consequences for downstream ecosystems. We conclude that microbes living on glaciers and ice sheets are an integral part of both the glacial environment and the Earth&apos;s ecosystem.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

10600 - Biological sciences

Project

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Continuities

I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace

Publication year

2012

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Nature Geoscience

ISSN

1752-0894

e-ISSN

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Volume of the periodical

5

Issue of the periodical within the volume

11

Country of publishing house

US - UNITED STATES

Number of pages

4

Pages from-to

771-774

UT code for WoS article

000310707900010

EID of the result in the Scopus database

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