Microbially mediated weathering in subglacial systems

Dr. Mark Skidmore
Department of Earth Sciences
Montana State University

Biogeochemical weathering processes occurring in subglacial environments are an important component of the Earth system due to the magnitude of terrestrial ice cover, both currently and at previous times in Earth history. Microbes have been detected in a variety of glaciated systems and there is growing evidence that microbes are active in subglacial weathering processes. However, the relative importance of biotic and abiotic geochemical weathering processes in subglacial systems is presently unquantified. The research presented will demonstrate the role of microbes in subglacial weathering processes and discuss the broader implications of these findings.