International Journal of Astrobiology

Table of Contents - 2004 - Volume 3, Issue 01  


Physiological characteristics of bacteria isolated from water brines within permafrost

V. Shcherbakova a1, E. Rivkina a2, K. Laurinavichuis a1, S. Pecheritsina a1 and D. Gilichinsky a2
a1 Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Moscow Region 142290, Russia e-mail: shcherb@ibpm.pushchino.ru
a2 Institute of Physicochemical and Biological Problems in Soil Science, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Moscow Region 142290, Russia

Article author query
shcherbakova v   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 
rivkina e   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 
laurinavichuis k   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 
pecheritsina s   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 
gilichinsky d   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 

Abstract

In the Arctic there are lenses of overcooled water brines (cryopegs) sandwiched within permafrost marine sediments 100–120 thousand years old. We have investigated the physiological properties of the pure cultures of anaerobic Clostridium sp. strain 14D1 and two strains of aerobic bacteria Psychrobacter sp. isolated from these cryopegs. The structural and physiological characteristics of new bacteria from water brines have shown their ability to survive and develop under harsh conditions, such as subzero temperatures and high salinity.

(Published Online August 5 2004)
(Received August 28 2003)
(Accepted January 29 2004)


Key Words: adaptation; Clostridium sp; permafrost; Psychrobacter sp; water brines.