Exploring the Polar Microbiome
More than 80% of the Earth’s biosphere is permanently cold (under 5°C), including 90% of its oceans. About 70% of the Earth’s freshwater exists as ice, while over a quarter of its terrestrial soil ecosystems exist as permafrost. This includes cryoenvironments—generally defined as environments that exist mainly at sub-zero temperatures.
Cryoenvironments include polar and alpine regions, and consist of large-scale features like permafrost, glaciers, ice caps and sea ice. They can also include rarer habitats, such as permanently ice-covered lakes and ponds and highly unique saline lakes, ponds and springs that remain liquid even at sub-zero temperatures. Far from being devoid of microbial life, these cryoenvironments contain active microbial ecosystems—and they are the focus of research by Dr. Lyle Whyte, Canada Research Chair in Polar Microbiology.
Whyte’s research is providing new insights into the limits of microbial life on Earth and their response to global warming. It may also uncover novel biomolecules for use in health and biotechnology applications. These unique cryoenvironments also have significant relevance to planetary science as we search for life on frozen planets and moons, such as Mars, Europa and Enceladus.
Whyte and his research team hope to answer questions like: What are the cold temperature limits of microbial life? How do organisms survive in such extreme cryoenvironments? Do similar cryoenvironments on Mars, Europa and Enceladus contain life?
Ultimately, this research will provide new insights into polar microbiology and the cold temperature limits of life.