Project Description
The McMurdo Dry Valleys in Antarctica is a polar desert that contains many glacial meltwater streams that flow in the summer. Perennial microbial mats composed of cyanobacteria and diatoms are freeze-dried in the winter and begin to grow once there is flow. These microorganisms in these mats are adapted to harsh conditions including flood events caused by periods of warm sunny weather. We are evaluating new methods to characterize the microbes in the mats in the field based on molecular genetics. of the main species of cyanobacteria in the mats. We also use morphology to characterize the diatoms. This project will compare these two approaches for understanding the influence of streamflow on the composition of the mats.
Special Requirements
Students must have taken either environmental microbiology or applied ecology. Students should be able to work in the lab for 2-3 5-hour blocks during the week.
Contact
- Diane Mcknight (faculty)
- Lane Allen (graduate student)