Research progress of cryoconite microorganisms and biogeochemical cycling of carbon and nitrogen driven by cryoconite in tripolar glaciers

Abstract:

Cryoconite is a kind of granular sediment found on the surface of glacier, and comprises minerals, organic materials and biomaterials. The sources of cryoconite mainly come from dust and aerosol transported from far sources, and coarse moraine from local sources and plant debris from surrounding ecosystems. With high absorption of solar radiation, cryoconite can reduce the surface albedo of glacier and promote glacier melting. Cryoconite is also the most diverse microbial habitat on the surface of glacier, where bacteria, fungi, and algae live in. Microbes in cryoconite are the main drivers of the geochemical cycling on the glacial surface, which decompose and transform the organic matter in cryoconite, decrease the albedo, and affect the material balance process of the glacier. In view of this, this paper reviewed the physical and chemical characteristics, potentially influencing factors of which, the microbial community structure, and the biogeochemical cycling of carbon and nitrogen driven by cryoconite microbes in glaciers of Antarctica, Arctic and the third pole (TP). In addition, we also put forward research directions on cryoconite microbes.