• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.125-130
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• 2005

The growth and phosphatase (phosphomonoesterase) activity of Chroococcidiopsis culture isolated from the cryptoendoliths of the Antarctic were compared with a similar isolate from the Arizona hot desert. Such cyanobacteria living inside rocks share several features with the immobilized cells produced in the laboratory. This study has relevance because the availability of phosphorus is a key factor influencing the growth of these cyanobacteria in nature, in such unique ecological niches as the hot and cold deserts. Phosphatase activity therefore is of particular importance for these organisms if they are to survive without any other source of phosphorus availability. Also, there is paucity of knowledge regarding this aspect of study in cyanobacterial cultures from these extreme environments. The salient feature of this study shows the importance of specific pH and temperatures for growth and phosphatase activity of both cultures, although there were marked differences between the two isolates. The pH and temperature optima for growth and phosphatase activity (PMEase) of Chroococcidiopsis 1 and 2 were 9.5, $240^{\circ}C$ and 8.5, $40^{\circ}C$ respectively. The $K_m and V_max$ values of cultured Chroococcidiopsis 1 showed lower affinity of PMEase for the substrate compared to the enzyme affinity of the same organism when found within the rocks; Chroococcidiopsis 2 and Arizona rocks containing the same alga however showed similar affinity of PMEase for the substrate. An interesting observation was the similarity in response of immobilized Chroococcidiopsis 1 culture and the same organism in the Antarctic rocks to low light and low temperature stimulation of PMEase. This thermal response seems to be related to the ability of the immobilized Antarctic isolate and the rocks to either cryoprotect the PMEase or undergo a change to save the enzyme from becoming nonfunctional under low temperatures. The free cells of Chroococcidiopsis 1 culture however did not show such responses.

• ALGAE
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.111-121
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• 2021

Two cyanobacterial morphotypes isolated from Signy Island, South Orkney Islands, maritime Antarctica were characterised using a polyphasic approach combining morphological, cytological and molecular analyses. These analyses showed that the strains grouped with members of the genus Wilmottia. This genus currently includes three species, W. murrayi, W. stricta, and W. koreana. Both morphotypes analysed in this study were placed within the clade of W. murrayi. This clade showed a well-supported separation from Antarctic and New Zealand strains, as well as strains from other regions. W. murrayi was first described from Antarctica and is now known from several Antarctic regions. Confirmation of the occurrence of W. murrayi at Signy Island significantly extends its known distribution in Antarctica. In addition, a new combination, W. arthurensis, is suggested for Phormidium arthurensis.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.401-410
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• 2001

Global climate change will alter many such properties of the Southern Ocean as temperature, circulation, stratification, and sea-ice extent. Such changes are likely to influence the species composition and activity of Antarctic marine microorganisms (protists and bacteria) which playa major role in deter-mining the concentration of atmospheric $CO_2$ and producing precursors of cloud condensation nuclei. Direct impacts of climate change on Antarctic marine microorganisms have been determined for very few species. Increasing water temperature would be expected to result in a southward spread of pelagic cyanobacteria, coccolithophorids and others. Growth rates of many species would be expected to increase slightly but nutrient limitation, especially micronutrients, is likely to result in a negligible increase in biomass. The extent of habitats would be reduced for those organisms presently living close to the upper limit of their thermal tolerance. Increased UVB irradiance is likely to favour the growth of those organisms tolerant of UVB and may change the trophic structure of marine communities. Indirect effects, especially those as a consequence of a diminution of the amount of sea-ice and increased upper ocean stratification, are predicted to lead to a change in species composition and impacts on both trophodynamics and vertical carbon flux.