The Unique Altiplano-Puna Plateau: Environmental Perspectives

Tapia, Joseline; Murray, Jésica; Ormachea-Muñoz, M.; Bhattacharya, Prosun

doi:10.1016/j.jsames.2022.103725

Cited by 6 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…The Altiplano-Puna plateau in the Central Andes is the second highest plateau in elevation on Earth after Tibet and it encompasses northwestern Argentina, southwestern Bolivia, northeastern Chile, and southeastern Peru [ 7 , 8 ]. The region is characterized by extreme environmental conditions, including high solar and UV radiation, aridity, great seasonal variations in precipitation, strong winds, and wide daily temperature range [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Community Vertical Composition of the Laguna Negra Hypersaline Microbial Mat, Puna Region (Argentinean Andes)

Boidi

Mlewski

Fernández

et al. 2022

Biology

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The Altiplano-Puna region is a high-altitude plateau in South America characterized by extreme conditions, including the highest UV incidence on Earth. The Laguna Negra is a hypersaline lake located in the Catamarca Province, northwestern Argentina, where stromatolites and other microbialites are found, and where life is mostly restricted to microbial mats. In this study, a particular microbial mat that covers the shore of the lake was explored, to unravel its layer-by-layer vertical structure in response to the environmental stressors therein. Microbial community composition was assessed by high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing and pigment content analyses, complemented with microscopy tools to characterize its spatial arrangement within the mat. The top layer of the mat has a remarkable UV-tolerance feature, characterized by the presence of Deinococcus-Thermus and deinoxanthin, which might reflect a shielding strategy to cope with high UV radiation. Chloroflexi and Deltaproteobacteria were abundant in the second and third underlying layers, respectively. The bottom layer harbors copious Halanaerobiaeota. Subspherical aggregates composed of calcite, extracellular polymeric substances, abundant diatoms, and other microorganisms were observed all along the mat as the main structural component. This detailed study provides insights into the strategies of microbial communities to thrive under high UV radiation and hypersalinity in high-altitude lakes in the Altiplano-Puna region.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Community Vertical Composition of the Laguna Negra Hypersaline Microbial Mat, Puna Region (Argentinean Andes)

Boidi

Mlewski

Fernández

et al. 2022

Biology

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“…IGCP-707 leaders participated as guest editors in a Special Issue on Journal of South America Earth Sciences: The Unique Altiplano-Puna Plateau: Environmental Perspectives (Tapia et al, 2022b). This Special Issue was dedicated to Earth Science research in the Altiplano-Puna Plateau with emphasis on the environment.…”

Section: Scientific Achievementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards a comprehensive understanding of the “Origin, distribution, and biogeochemistry of arsenic in the Altiplano-Puna plateau of South America” with the IGCP-707 project

et al. 2023

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Arsenic (As) is one of the most prevalent geogenic trace elements in the groundwater environment that presents a worldwide health concern. In South America, the "Altiplano-Puna" plateau exhibits high As concentrations in water that could be affecting 3 million inhabitants from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Perú. In this As-rich environment with limited water resources, there exists a lack of knowledge regarding the basic geochemistry of As, water quality characterization, and affected population and biodiversity. Between 2020-2022 we performed interdisciplinary research to understand (i) the origin of As, (ii) its geochemistry and mobility, (iii) its distribution in the environment, and (iv) its effects in the local community and unique biodiversity. Our research provides new scientific insights into the biogeochemical cycle of As in the environment and its effect on human health and biodiversity. Our dissemination activities increased the visibility of the As issue for the region that had historically received little attention from the scientific community and local authorities. This project led to additional funding and the creation of a solid research network between the South and North hemispheres, fostering the participation of young researchers, students, and women. An extension of the project was obtained to continue our work during 2023.

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Identifying areas of conservation importance based on spatial patterns of evolutionary diversity for non-volant small mammals in the Andean Puna

Revollo-Cadima,

Salazar-Bravo

2024

Journal of Arid Environments

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The Unique Altiplano-Puna Plateau: Environmental Perspectives

Cited by 6 publications

References 26 publications

Community Vertical Composition of the Laguna Negra Hypersaline Microbial Mat, Puna Region (Argentinean Andes)

Community Vertical Composition of the Laguna Negra Hypersaline Microbial Mat, Puna Region (Argentinean Andes)

Towards a comprehensive understanding of the “Origin, distribution, and biogeochemistry of arsenic in the Altiplano-Puna plateau of South America” with the IGCP-707 project

Identifying areas of conservation importance based on spatial patterns of evolutionary diversity for non-volant small mammals in the Andean Puna

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