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Spatial Distribution of Unique Biological Communities and Their Control Over Surface Reflectivity of the Stanley Glacier, Uganda

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Title: Spatial Distribution of Unique Biological Communities and Their Control Over Surface Reflectivity of the Stanley Glacier, Uganda
Authors: Uetake, Jun Browse this author →KAKEN DB
Samyn, Denis Browse this author
Anguma, Simon Browse this author
Takeuchi, Nozomu Browse this author →KAKEN DB
Keywords: glacier ecosystem
tropical glacier
moss aggregation
psychrophile
Rwenzori mountains
albedo
Issue Date: 17-Feb-2022
Publisher: Frontiers Media
Journal Title: Frontiers in earth science
Volume: 10
Start Page: 740998
Publisher DOI: 10.3389/feart.2022.740998
Abstract: Diverse microbes have been revealed to live in glaciers worldwide, but only a few biological studies were dedicated to glaciers in tropical Africa. These glaciers are shrinking rapidly and are expected to disappear shortly. In this study, we carried out biological and glaciological field observations on Stanley Glacier, the largest remaining glacier in the Rwenzori Mountains, Uganda, Africa. Microbial aggregates ranging from micrometer to centimeter in size were found on the glacier surface and contained moss and various types of Chlorophyta, among which a new endemic species of green alga. Concentrations of total impurities on the glacier surface, including microbial aggregates, varied spatially and decreased as altitude increased. The large microbial aggregates (larger than 4 cm in diameter) were found only at the glacier surface near the terminus and side margins, where the surface was less frequently covered with snow. It is also shown that the total organic matter on the glacier surface is determined by the timing of snow cover, which affects the quantity of solar radiation reaching the glacier ice surface. Furthermore, the total impurity content was negatively correlated with surface reflectivity, revealing their potential role in albedo reduction at the glacier surface through positive feedback between enhanced meltwater and increased biological growth.
Type: article
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/2115/85077
Appears in Collections:北方生物圏フィールド科学センター (Field Science Center for Northern Biosphere) > 雑誌発表論文等 (Peer-reviewed Journal Articles, etc)

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