Biology
Scientific paper
Aug 2000
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2000mpse.conf..113m&link_type=abstract
International Conference on Mars Polar Science and Exploration, p. 113
Biology
1
Age Factor, Chemical Composition, Fungi, Geochemistry, Horizon, Microbiology, Soils, Bacteria, Antarctic Regions, Carbon, Hydroxides, Chlorine, Iron, Nitrogen, Organic Compounds
Scientific paper
Samples of ancient soils from horizons in paleosols from the Quartermain Mountains (Aztec and New Mountain areas of the Antarctic Dry Valleys) were analyzed for their chemical composition and microbiology to determine the accumulation and movement of salts and other soluble constituents. The salt concentrations are of special interest because they are considered to be a function of age, derived in part from nearby oceanic and high altitude atmospheric sources. The geochemistry of ancient Miocene-age paleosols in these areas is the direct result of the deposition and weathering of till, derived principally from dolerite and sandstone source rock, in association with airborne-influxed salts. Paleosols nearer the coast have greater contents of chlorine, and farther inland near the Inland Ice Sheet, nitrogen tends to increase on a relative basis. The accumulation and vertical distribution of salts and other soluble chemical elements indicate relative amounts of movement in the profile over long periods of time, to the order of several million years. Iron, both in total concentration and in the form of various extracts, indicates it can be used as a geochronometer to assess the buildup of goethite plus hematite over time in the paleosols. Trends for ferrihydrite, a partially soluble Fe-hydroxide, shows limited profile translocation that might be related to the movement of salt. Six of the eight selected subsamples from paleosol horizons in three soil profiles contained nil concentrations of bacteria and fungi. However, two horizons at depths of between three to eight centimeters yielded several colonies of the fungi Beauveria bassiana and Penicillium spp., indicating some input of organic carbon. Beauveria bassiana is often reported in association with insects and is used commercially for the biological control of some insect pests. Penicillium species are commonly isolated from Arctic, temperate and tropical soils and are known to utilize a wide variety of organic carbon and nitrogen compounds.
Campbell I. B.
Hancock Ronald G. V.
Mahaney William C.
Malloch David
Sheppard David
No associations
LandOfFree
Microbiology and Geochemistry of Antarctic Paleosols does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Microbiology and Geochemistry of Antarctic Paleosols, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Microbiology and Geochemistry of Antarctic Paleosols will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-741894