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Geomicrobiology of Blood Falls: An Iron-Rich Saline Discharge at the Terminus of the Taylor Glacier, Antarctica

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Abstract

Blood Falls, a saline subglacial discharge from the Taylor Glacier, Antarctica provides an example of the diverse physical and chemical niches available for life in the polar desert of the McMurdo Dry Valleys. Geochemical analysis of Blood Falls outflow resembles concentrated seawater remnant from the Pliocene intrusion of marine waters combined with products of weathering. The result is an iron-rich, salty seep at the terminus of Taylor Glacier, which is subject to episodic releases into permanently ice-covered Lake Bonney. Blood Falls influences the␣geochemistry of Lake Bonney, and provides organic carbon and viable microbes to the lake␣system. Here we present the first data on the geobiology of Blood Falls and relate it to␣the␣evolutionary history of this unique environment. The novel geological evolution of this␣subglacial environment makes Blood Falls an important site for the study of metabolic strategies␣in subglacial environments and the impact of subglacial efflux on associated lake ecosystems.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA

    Jill A. Mikucki, Christine M. Foreman & John C. Priscu

  2. Institut f\,\”ur Zoologie und Limnologie, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria

    Birgit Sattler

  3. Byrd Polar Research Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA

    W. Berry Lyons

Authors
  1. Jill A. Mikucki
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  2. Christine M. Foreman
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  3. Birgit Sattler
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  4. W. Berry Lyons
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  5. John C. Priscu
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Mikucki, J.A., Foreman, C.M., Sattler, B. et al. Geomicrobiology of Blood Falls: An Iron-Rich Saline Discharge at the Terminus of the Taylor Glacier, Antarctica. Aquat Geochem 10, 199–220 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10498-004-2259-x

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