Articles | Volume 14, issue 6
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-14-1445-2017
© Author(s) 2017. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-14-1445-2017
© Author(s) 2017. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Research article
| 
21 Mar 2017
Research article |
| 21 Mar 2017
Viable cold-tolerant iron-reducing microorganisms in geographically diverse subglacial environments
Sophie L. Nixon
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester,
Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
Jon P. Telling
Department of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Newcastle University,
Newcastle, NE1 7RU, UK
Jemma L. Wadham
School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8
1SS, UK
Charles S. Cockell
UK Centre for Astrobiology, School of Physics and Astronomy,
University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FD, UK
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31 citations as recorded by crossref.
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- Prokaryotic assemblages in suspended and subglacial sediments within a glacierized catchment on Qeqertarsuaq (Disko Island), west Greenland J. Žárský et al. 10.1093/femsec/fiy100
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- Glacial Water: A Dynamic Microbial Medium G. Varliero et al. 10.3390/microorganisms11051153
- Limitations of microbial iron reduction under extreme conditions S. Nixon et al. 10.1093/femsre/fuac033
- Biolabile ferrous iron bearing nanoparticles in glacial sediments J. Hawkings et al. 10.1016/j.epsl.2018.04.022
- Dissolved Carbon Dynamics in Meltwaters From the Russell Glacier, Greenland Ice Sheet M. Andrews et al. 10.1029/2018JG004458
- Contribution of cryoconite holes in the supraglacial discharge of bioavailable iron in Larsemann Hills, East Antarctica G. Samui et al. 10.1016/j.polar.2024.101052
- Temperature Controls Crystalline Iron Oxide Utilization by Microbial Communities in Methanic Ferruginous Marine Sediment Incubations D. Aromokeye et al. 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02574
- Iron Minerals Influence the Assembly of Microbial Communities in a Basaltic Glacial Catchment E. Dunham et al. 10.1093/femsec/fiac155
- Free Iron and Iron-Reducing Microorganisms in Permafrost and Permafrost-Affected Soils of Northeastern Siberia E. Rivkina et al. 10.1134/S1064229320100166
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Latest update: 29 Jul 2025
Short summary
Despite their permanently cold and dark characteristics, subglacial environments (glacier ice–sediment interface) are known to harbour active microbial communities. However, the role of microbial iron cycling in these environments is poorly understood. Here we show that subglacial sediments harbour active iron-reducing microorganisms, and they appear to be cold-adapted. These results may have important implications for global biogeochemical iron cycling and export to marine ecosystems.
Despite their permanently cold and dark characteristics, subglacial environments (glacier...
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