The Earth's cryosphere comprises those regions that are cold enough for water to turn into
ice. Recent findings show that the icy realms of polar oceans, glaciers and ice sheets are …

Glacier ecosystems are teeming with life on, beneath, and to a lesser degree, within their icy
masses. This conclusion largely stems from polar research, with less attention paid to …

Methane seeps are widespread seafloor ecosystems shaped by the emission of gas from
seabed reservoirs. The microorganisms inhabiting methane seeps transform the chemical …

Cryoconite is granular sediment found on glacier surfaces comprising both mineral and
biological material. Despite long having been recognised as an important glaciological and …

In alpine regions worldwide, climate change is dramatically altering ecosystems and
affecting biodiversity in many ways. For streams, receding alpine glaciers and snowfields …

Alpine regions are changing rapidly due to loss of snow and ice in response to ongoing
climate change. While studies have documented ecological responses in alpine lakes and …

Trace metals have been an important ingredient for life throughout Earth's history. Here, we
describe the genome-guided cultivation of a member of the elusive archaeal lineage …

Archaea comprise a unique domain of organisms with distinct biochemical and genetic
differences from bacteria. Methane-forming archaea, methanogens, constitute the …

Engineered and monitored sanitary landfills have been widespread in the United States
since the passage of the Clean Water Act (1972) with additional controls under RCRA …

Rapid disintegration of alpine glaciers has led to the formation of new terrain consisting of
mineral debris colonized by microorganisms. Despite the importance of microbial pioneers …