Microbial life in permafrost: A historical review

Abstract

This paper reviews the literature on cold-adapted micro-organisms which might exist in ice and permafrost. Properly identified, microbial markers in the cryolithozone could be used in palaeoenvironmental reconstructions, in distinguishing between epigenetic and syngenetic depositional sequences, and in the recognition of secondary thaw unconformities. Cryobiological problems include (1) whether the bacteria are dead, dormant or in the active state, and (2) what factors determine the preservation of cell structures. A possible consequence of permafrost thawing, based upon predicted global warming scenarios, is that there may be an increase in microbial activity and an increase in active layer thickness. ROSUMELe present article passe en revue la litterature portant sur les micro-organismes adapt& au froid qui peuvent exister dans la glace et le pergklisol. A condition d'Ctre correctement identifies, les marqueurs microbiologiques presents dans la cryolithozone pourraient Ctre utilisCs dans des reccnstructions des palkoenvironnements en distinguant des sequences CpigCnCtiques et syngenetiques du dCpGt et en reconnaissant les discontinuites dues aux dkgels secondaires. Les probkmes rencontres consistent B determiner: 1) si les batteries ktaient mortes, dormantes ou dans un stade actif, 2) quels sont les facteurs qui contralent la prkservation des structures cellulaires.Le dCgel du sommet du pergklisol en consequence d'un rkchauffement climatique global, provoquerait peut-Ctre en une augmentation de l'activitk biologique en mCme temps qu'une croissance de 1'Cpaisseur de la couche active.

Late-Holocene glacier growth in Svalbard, documented by subglacial relict vegetation and living soil microbes

“…Forster (1887) was the first to isolate cold-adapted microbes in dead fish preserved by low temperatures. Since then, such microbes have been found in many types of cold environment and extensive reviews have been presented by Morita (1975), Herbert (1986), Gounot (1986, Russel (1990), Friedmann (1994 and Gilichinsky and Wagner (1995). Among other environments, viable microbes were found in permafrost as early as the early twentieth century by Russian scientists investigating Siberian mammoth localities (Omelyansky, 1911) and in buried soils in the Far East (Isachenko, 1912).…”

“…Upon thawing, these microbes resumed their physiological activities; a remarkable feat considering the low temperature ((/128C) and the probable great age. Apparently, microbes in permafrost regions tend to accumulate at the bottom of the active layer, as the highest number of microbes is found in the lower part of summer thawing layer in modern tundra soils (Gilichinsky, 1995). Also at the bottom of the previous (7000 Á/9000 cal.…”

“…Also at the bottom of the previous (7000 Á/9000 cal. yr BP) thicker early Holocene active layer there is a horizon with an increased number of viable microbes in what since has been permafrost (Gilichinsky, 1995).…”

Changes in the timing and duration of the near-surface soil freeze/thaw status from 1956 to 2006 across China

“…These studies have shown that changes in the near-surface soil freeze/thaw status are interrelated, and soil freeze/thaw affects hydrological processes (Cherkauer and Lettenmaier, 1999;Niu and Yang, 2006;Rempel, 2012), ecological processes (Schimel and Mikan, 2005;Tagesson et al, 2012), and soil microbial processes (Lloyd and Taylor, 1994;Gilichinsky and Wagener, 1995;Edwards and Jefferies, 2013).…”

Methane Hydrate Production From Alaskan Permafrost

“…The microbial biomass in permafrost can be quite high with 10 7 to 10 9 cells per gram even in samples that are millions of years old (Gilichinsky and Wagener 1995;Shi, Reeves et al 1997;Vorobyova, Soina et al 1997;Rivkina, Gilichinsky et al 1998;Wilson, Braddock et al 1998). Both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria are present and viable.…”