How will glacial meltwater microbes come in from the cold in this "Peak Melt" century?
Lead Research Organisation:
Aberystwyth University
Department Name: IBERS
Abstract
Global warming is melting many of Earth's glaciers, increasing the production of meltwater as the glaciers expire.
In the worst-case scenario, up to 85% of glaciers will be lost by 2100, which will then mean the production of meltwater will decline drastically. About a billion people depend on rivers fed by glacier meltwater for water, and nutrients in glacial meltwater fertilize crucial ecosystems.
This glacial meltwater contains bacteria and their products. We have found some of these products are made to protect bacteria against their viruses, and have proof that these same products have a second job in dissolving nutrients from rocks. Earlier research tell us the meltwater bacteria, their products and the nutrients are critical for important ecosystems in the land and sea fed by glacier meltwater. But we do not know how many of these three things will be released as the glaciers die, how they will interact and what this change in the supply of bacteria, products and nutrients will mean for ecosystems fed by glaciers that will disintegrate this century.
Our proposal aims to address these three gaps in our knowledge. In this project we will go to valley glaciers on Svalbard in the High Arctic, in Austria in the European Alps, and Livingston Island at the tip of the rapidly warming Antarctic Peninsula to see how microbes and their products are released from glaciers.
At each location we will collect samples from the glacier surface which will tell us how the microbes grow in the ice surface and how they are released. We will conduct experiments to reveal how the "arms race" between microbes and their viruses affects the delivery of microbes, their products and nutrients in the meltwater. We will also sequence the DNA of microbes living in the ice surface and meltwater to see who is living in this very large, but poorly understood and endangered habitat. We will use our fieldwork and lab analyses to inform models of how glaciers release their microbes, and what this means for downstream habitats.
By doing this we will have a clear picture for the first time of how the loss of glaciers will release microbes, and what those organisms may do as they are washed out to important environments downstream of the glaciers.
In the worst-case scenario, up to 85% of glaciers will be lost by 2100, which will then mean the production of meltwater will decline drastically. About a billion people depend on rivers fed by glacier meltwater for water, and nutrients in glacial meltwater fertilize crucial ecosystems.
This glacial meltwater contains bacteria and their products. We have found some of these products are made to protect bacteria against their viruses, and have proof that these same products have a second job in dissolving nutrients from rocks. Earlier research tell us the meltwater bacteria, their products and the nutrients are critical for important ecosystems in the land and sea fed by glacier meltwater. But we do not know how many of these three things will be released as the glaciers die, how they will interact and what this change in the supply of bacteria, products and nutrients will mean for ecosystems fed by glaciers that will disintegrate this century.
Our proposal aims to address these three gaps in our knowledge. In this project we will go to valley glaciers on Svalbard in the High Arctic, in Austria in the European Alps, and Livingston Island at the tip of the rapidly warming Antarctic Peninsula to see how microbes and their products are released from glaciers.
At each location we will collect samples from the glacier surface which will tell us how the microbes grow in the ice surface and how they are released. We will conduct experiments to reveal how the "arms race" between microbes and their viruses affects the delivery of microbes, their products and nutrients in the meltwater. We will also sequence the DNA of microbes living in the ice surface and meltwater to see who is living in this very large, but poorly understood and endangered habitat. We will use our fieldwork and lab analyses to inform models of how glaciers release their microbes, and what this means for downstream habitats.
By doing this we will have a clear picture for the first time of how the loss of glaciers will release microbes, and what those organisms may do as they are washed out to important environments downstream of the glaciers.
Planned Impact
Our project has fundamental academic, societal and economic benefits linked to understanding life in the cold and how it will respond to contemporary climate change and its impacts on the food and water security of billions of humans living in many thousands of catchments worldwide. End users will benefit in the following ways:
Academia: Our project will deliver a clear advance in academic disciplines linked to cryospheric microbiology and biogeochemistry, for example glaciology, geochemistry and genomics. Delivering the first characterization of life within a habitat new to science but crucial to biogeochemical impacts of glacier loss will provide transformative datasets within this field. We will communicate our work through peer reviewed publications, conference presentations, knowledge exchange with UK and international partners and the training and career development of two PDRAs, thus supporting the UK and international knowledge economy.
Highly skilled individuals: This project supports knowledge exchange in the emerging field of in-field metagenomics by holding a workshop on "Extreme Metagenomics". A key objective of this workshop is to foster a new research community and to up-skill a new generation of microbial scientists by hands-on training in in-field metagenomics. This complements the training/career development of project associated early career researchers, (PDRAs Joseph Cook, Sara Rassner,MicroArctic ESR Melanie Hay).
Economy and Society: This project focuses on an aspect of an existential threat to economy and society, namely climate change impacts. A second serious threat facing contemporary society is the antibiotic resistance crisis. Extreme environments are under-exploited sources of bioactive novelty, and the generation of microbial isolates and datasets from a habitat new to science generates a resource for discovering new antimicrobial drugs. We will exploit this efficiently by our links to the MicroArctic ITN Early Stage Researcher Melanie Hay.
Outreach: Climate change and the cryosphere is a hot topic. We will engage the public through new (social) media streams and our contacts within the broadcast and print media. The project's website will be populated with contemporary genomics data, generating a "news bulletin" of microbial diversity released from glaciers as it is liberated. At one level this data will be useful to the academic community, but by complementing the data with accessible "character" profiles of interesting species we will bring public attention to microbial dimensions of melt for the first time. We will bilingually engage with our regional communities through a series of outreach opportunities afforded by activities such as the Aberystwyth Science Café and the Welsh Urdd Eisteddfod GwyddonLe ("Science Site") exhibition. Our prior experience with GwyddonLe indicates an audience of ca. 25,000 visitors over each 5 day youth festival, thus reaching a broad audience of the public across Wales.
Academia: Our project will deliver a clear advance in academic disciplines linked to cryospheric microbiology and biogeochemistry, for example glaciology, geochemistry and genomics. Delivering the first characterization of life within a habitat new to science but crucial to biogeochemical impacts of glacier loss will provide transformative datasets within this field. We will communicate our work through peer reviewed publications, conference presentations, knowledge exchange with UK and international partners and the training and career development of two PDRAs, thus supporting the UK and international knowledge economy.
Highly skilled individuals: This project supports knowledge exchange in the emerging field of in-field metagenomics by holding a workshop on "Extreme Metagenomics". A key objective of this workshop is to foster a new research community and to up-skill a new generation of microbial scientists by hands-on training in in-field metagenomics. This complements the training/career development of project associated early career researchers, (PDRAs Joseph Cook, Sara Rassner,MicroArctic ESR Melanie Hay).
Economy and Society: This project focuses on an aspect of an existential threat to economy and society, namely climate change impacts. A second serious threat facing contemporary society is the antibiotic resistance crisis. Extreme environments are under-exploited sources of bioactive novelty, and the generation of microbial isolates and datasets from a habitat new to science generates a resource for discovering new antimicrobial drugs. We will exploit this efficiently by our links to the MicroArctic ITN Early Stage Researcher Melanie Hay.
Outreach: Climate change and the cryosphere is a hot topic. We will engage the public through new (social) media streams and our contacts within the broadcast and print media. The project's website will be populated with contemporary genomics data, generating a "news bulletin" of microbial diversity released from glaciers as it is liberated. At one level this data will be useful to the academic community, but by complementing the data with accessible "character" profiles of interesting species we will bring public attention to microbial dimensions of melt for the first time. We will bilingually engage with our regional communities through a series of outreach opportunities afforded by activities such as the Aberystwyth Science Café and the Welsh Urdd Eisteddfod GwyddonLe ("Science Site") exhibition. Our prior experience with GwyddonLe indicates an audience of ca. 25,000 visitors over each 5 day youth festival, thus reaching a broad audience of the public across Wales.
Organisations
- Aberystwyth University (Lead Research Organisation)
- University Centre in Svalbard (Collaboration)
- University of Bristol (Project Partner)
- Zhejiang University (Project Partner)
- Technical University of Madrid (Project Partner)
- Universität Innsbruck (Project Partner)
- University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS) (Project Partner)
Publications
Bellas C
(2020)
Flexible genes establish widespread bacteriophage pan-genomes in cryoconite hole ecosystems
in Nature Communications
Bohn N
(2021)
Optimal estimation of snow and ice surface parameters from imaging spectroscopy measurements
in Remote Sensing of Environment
Cameron K
(2020)
Glacial microbiota are hydrologically connected and temporally variable
in Environmental Microbiology
Cook J
(2020)
Glacier algae accelerate melt rates on the south-western Greenland Ice Sheet
in The Cryosphere
Edwards A
(2020)
Microbial genomics amidst the Arctic crisis.
in Microbial genomics
Edwards A
(2022)
Before you go: a packing list for portable DNA sequencing of microbiomes and metagenomes.
in Microbiology (Reading, England)
Gokul JK
(2023)
Icescape-scale metabolomics reveals cyanobacterial and topographic control of the core metabolism of the cryoconite ecosystem of an Arctic ice cap.
in Environmental microbiology
Gokul JK
(2019)
Illuminating the dynamic rare biosphere of the Greenland Ice Sheet's Dark Zone.
in FEMS microbiology ecology
Hodson A
(2021)
Marked Seasonal Changes in the Microbial Production, Community Composition, and Biogeochemistry of Glacial Snowpack Ecosystems in the Maritime Antarctic
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences
Irvine-Fynn TDL
(2021)
Storage and export of microbial biomass across the western Greenland Ice Sheet.
in Nature communications
Miner K
(2021)
Emergent biogeochemical risks from Arctic permafrost degradation
in Nature Climate Change
Rassner SME
(2024)
The distinctive weathering crust habitat of a High Arctic glacier comprises discrete microbial micro-habitats.
in Environmental microbiology
Stevens I
(2022)
Spatially consistent microbial biomass and future cellular carbon release from melting Northern Hemisphere glacier surfaces
in Communications Earth & Environment
Stibal M
(2020)
Glacial ecosystems are essential to understanding biodiversity responses to glacier retreat.
in Nature ecology & evolution
Takeuchi N
(2019)
Variations in Phototroph Communities on the Ablating Bare-Ice Surface of Glaciers on Brøggerhalvøya, Svalbard
in Frontiers in Earth Science
Williamson CJ
(2019)
Glacier Algae: A Dark Past and a Darker Future.
in Frontiers in microbiology
Description | We have completed fieldwork in the High Arctic (Svalbard) and Antarctica. Fieldwork in the European Alps was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the return of samples from Antarctica was delayed significantly for the same reason. This led to the no-cost extension of the project to May 2022. The analysis of samples from the Polar Regions is completed, drawing upon the availability of material for comparing Arctic and Antarctic glacial microbiota Our findings are that the microbial community within the porous ice of the glacier surface is strongly influenced by dust deposition and that there are likely novel metabolic modes supporting life within the surface ice, with these being responsive to fluctuating nutrient levels. We have developed unique datasets of isolate and community genomes from glacier surfaces which show considerable diversity within the pan-genomes of microbial taxa in meltwater. Meanwhile we have garnered insights to the flux of meltwater microbes from Antarctic glacier surfaces, and to our knowledge, uniquely for Antarctica, from subglacial-sourced meltwater as a result of our Antarctic fieldwork. Subsequently, we have found the mechanisms by which the surface ice of glaciers becomes populated by microbes, the controls on the abundance and activities of these microbes, and their taxonomic composition in Arctic and Antarctic settings. Finally, we have conducted the lab-scale experiments which show how key microbes produce materials which influence the composition and reactivity of meltwater. |
Exploitation Route | We will progress to ensure our pathways to impact for academic and non-academic audiences are delivered. We have already worked closely with the BBC and NERC in supporting the BBC Radio 4 and BBC News visit to NERC Arctic Station in March 2019. Our expertise in cold-environment viruses has been put to use in supporting the national response to COVID-19 as detailed in the policy impact segment. |
Sectors | Energy Environment Healthcare |
Description | Our work has been communicated in the broadcast and new media as described in other sections. In brief we have hosted BBC News broadcasts resulting in extensive international coverage online, on Radio 4, on BBC1 and BBC World. More recently, due to the pandemic, interest in viruses among public and policymakers has grown. For the former we have provided a popular science article in Scientific American on the general issue of virus emergence from cold regions, whereas in the latter we have helped the Welsh Government with technical advice relating to virus infectivity in cold environments. |
First Year Of Impact | 2019 |
Sector | Environment,Healthcare |
Impact Types | Societal |
Description | Membership of the Welsh Government COVID-19 Technical Advisory Group Environmental Committee |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
Impact | The Welsh Government Technical Advisory Group's subcommitee on environmental science is charged with providing scientific advice to mitigate the harms arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, which may include identifying and mitigating risks from COVID-19 transmission itself, but also identifying and mitigating risks associated with other impacts of the pandemic. |
Description | SARS-CoV-2 infection risks at Ice Rinks |
Geographic Reach | Europe |
Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
Impact | Drawing upon knowledge of virus survival in frozen environments developed within this grant, I contributed to the authorship of a Welsh Government COVID-19 technical advisory group paper on SARS-CoV-2 infection risks associated with ice rinks. This led to the closure of such venues for winter 2020-2021 by the Chief Medical Officer for Wales. |
URL | https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2020-11/technical-advisory-group-sars-cov-2-infec... |
Description | Are There Perennial and Light-Independent Microbial Processes on Supraglacial Ecosystems?# |
Amount | £624,675 (GBP) |
Funding ID | NE/V012991/1 |
Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2021 |
End | 09/2024 |
Description | Formal collaboration with the University Centre in svalbard (UNIS) BIOICE project |
Organisation | University Centre in Svalbard |
Country | Norway |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Our team has conducted research on Svalbard which has informed experimental decisions and interpretation of data for the UNIS BIOICE project in Antarctica. |
Collaborator Contribution | UNIS hosted our project during Svalbard fieldwork in 2019 without making any charges for logistical support in the field or laboratory, or for accomodation of the project team |
Impact | Pending |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | BBC News - Unlocking the secrets of glacial microbes - BBC Visit to NERC Arctic Station 2019 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | The PI helped host a visit by the BBC to NERC Arctic Research Station on Svalbard in March 2019. This resulted in broadcast coverage on the BBC News frontpage ( https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/science-environment-47645323/climate-change-unlocking-the-secrets-of-glacial-microbes - Surviving in the Arctic's freezing environment has helped glacial microbes develop special powers. It is thought that they may help scientists develop washing powders that work at lower temperatures, as well as new medicines. Dr Arwyn Edwards from the University of Aberystwyth explains.") and a series of broadcast interviews with Radio 4 Today transmitted in March 2019, and a BBC Breakfast News story on March 17 2019. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/science-environment-47645323/climate-change-unlocking-the-secrets-of-g... |
Description | CarbonBrief article "Guest post: Is 'glacier carbon' good or bad for the climate?" |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | An article on a popular climate science site, CarbonBrief, on the topic of carbon from glaciers |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | https://www.carbonbrief.org/guest-post-is-glacier-carbon-good-or-bad-for-the-climate |
Description | Deep frozen Arctic microbes are waking up |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | A commissioned article for Scientific American on the topic of microbes liberated from melting glaciers, and their potential for harms as well as benefits. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/deep-frozen-arctic-microbes-are-waking-up/ |
Description | Guardian Article relating to paper |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | A news story pertaining to Stevens et al. (2022) Nat Comms Earth & Environment. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/nov/17/microbes-melting-glaciers-bacteria-ecosystems |
Description | Interview by BBC Radio Cymru |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Interview of Arwyn Edwards by Aled Hughes - broadcast at 1045, 10th March 2022 - on the topic of sustainable tourism in Antarctica, following new research on the impact of black carbon emissions from transport associated with tourism on snowpacks in Antarctica |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Invited blog article for the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | An invited blog article on the potential for pathogens to emerge from melting glaciers. https://eciu.net/blog/2018/arctic-fever-zombie-climate-myth-must-die |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://eciu.net/blog/2018/arctic-fever-zombie-climate-myth-must-die |
Description | Microbes in icy ecosystems |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | An article in Microbiology Today on glacial ecosystems |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://microbiologysociety.org/publication/past-issues/life-on-a-changing-planet/article/microbes-i... |
Description | Rapidly warming Arctic could cause spread of nuclear waste, undiscovered viruses and dangerous chemicals, new report finds |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | A press release associated with DOI:10.1038/s41558-021-01162-y led to coverage by the BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-58724710 , the Independent https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/arctic-permafrost-nuclear-waste-viruses-b1930528.html and other media |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/news/archive/2021/09/title-248159-en.html |
Description | The Conversation article: The melting Arctic is a crime scene. The microbes I study have long warned us of this catastrophe - but they are also driving it |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | I authored an "Insight" article for The Conversation about Arctic microbes and global change, drawing upon experiences from this research project and others. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://theconversation.com/the-melting-arctic-is-a-crime-scene-the-microbes-i-study-have-long-warne... |