Abstract
The Larsemann Hills is an ice-free area of approximately 50 km2, located halfway between the Vestfold Hills and the Amery Ice Shelf on the south-eastern coast of Prydz Bay, Princess Elizabeth Land, East Antarctica (69º30′S, 76º19′58″E). The ice-free area consists of two major peninsulas (Stornes and Broknes), four minor peninsulas, and approximately 130 islands. The Larsemann Hills area contains more than 150 lakes at different Islands and Peninsulas. Nine lake water samples were collected in a gamma sterilized bottles and were kept in an ice pack to prevent any changes in the microbial flora of the samples during the transportation. The water samples were transported to the lab in vertical position maintaining the temperature 1–4 °C with ice pack enveloped conditions. Samples were studied for Psychrophilic bacterial count, Pseudomonas spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella and Total MPN Coliform per 100 ml. Psychrophillic counts were found in the range of 12 cfu to 1.6 × 102 cfu in all the samples. MPN Coliform per 100 ml was found to be absent in all the samples. No growth and characteristics colonies observed when tested for Salmonella and S.aureus.Pseudomonas sp. was found in ST-2 lake water sample as characteristics colonies (Optimum Growth) were observed on selective media at 22 and 25 °C. Further several biochemical tests were also performed to confirm the presence of this Potential Psychrophilic Pseudomonas sp. for its further application in Science and Technology.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40064-015-1354-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
Antarctica has for a long time been viewed as a pristine and isolated environment mostly untouched by human activity
The present research study was carried out to know the microbiological contamination in Antarctic freshwater lake at stornes peninsula, larsemann hills over east Antarctica
most probable number (MPN) Coliform per 100 ml was found to be absent as No Growth in presumptive test was observed, sample discontinued for further studies
Summary
Antarctica has for a long time been viewed as a pristine and isolated environment mostly untouched by human activity. Microorganisms including bacteria, archaea, micro fungi and microalgae, are the dominant life form in the Antarctic ecosystems representing relatively simplified system sensitive to perturbations (Niederberger et al 2008; Gesheva 2009; Gesheva and Negoita 2012). Lakes of Antarctica represent a unique ecosystem and not as much considered lowland lakes mainly because of their remoteness and the short summer open-water period (Bhat et al 2011). they are protected from direct human impact but from last two decades they are largely affected by airborne contaminants, such as acids and nutrients (Rogora et al 2006), organic pollutants and heavy metals (Carrera et al 2002). Lakes of Antarctica represent a unique ecosystem and not as much considered lowland lakes mainly because of their remoteness and the short summer open-water period (Bhat et al 2011). they are protected from direct human impact but from last two decades they are largely affected by airborne contaminants, such as acids and nutrients (Rogora et al 2006), organic pollutants and heavy metals (Carrera et al 2002). Bharti and Gajananda (2013) reported that even less impact on soft water high altitude lakes might affect significantly the physical and chemical properties to bring changes in species symphony and plenty of the biota and to origin addition of trace substances in higher trophic microorganisms
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