Galindez Island Research Articles

Do spectral reflectance indices distinguish between the greenness in three different moss species in moss banks on Galindez Island (Argentine Islands)?

Spectral reflectance indices of green state of Warnstorfia fontinaliopsis, Chorisodontium aciphyllum and Sanionia georgicouncinata on moss bank in the Galindez Island (Argentine Islands) were measured using a handheld spectrometer PolyPen RP 410 UVIS (Photon Systems Instruments, Drásov, Czech Republic) within the range of 380–790 nm in order to find suitable ones for effective classification of moss species within the same colour state (green). Among altogether 19 indices tested, there were some which did not differ significantly between the studied species (subgroup 1). Other indices (subgroup 2) were sensitive enough to distinguish one of the studied species from the others, and finally (subgroup 3), they were found statistically significantly different for all studied moss species. Also, the indices calculated at wavelengths typical for UAV spectral cameras (green, red and red edge channels) showed species-specific differences and can be potentially used to distinguish between different mosses within the same green physiological state indicating a good vigor.

Rhizosphere bacterial community influence on <i>Deschampsia antarctica</i> È Desv. adaptability in context of temperature near plants in local spatial scales of Galindez Island, Argentine Islands (the maritime Antarctic)

The effect of rhizosphere bacterial community index (Irbi) influence on the nine populations of Antarctic hair grass (Deschampsia antarctica) adaptability was studied in the Galindez Island (summer season 2017/18). Moreover, the corresponding influence indices Irbi (i=1÷9) and Irbpi (p=1÷5 for the most common bacteria) were evaluated as well. The objective was to compare the Irbi and Irbpi series with the united temperature influence index on plant populations (It1i(z)) series and the united quality latent index of adaptability Iq1i. The study used data on the rhizosphere metagenome composition based on 16S RNA analysis. Methods determining the plant number in populations, and measuring the morphometric indices of D. antarctica populations were used. Reserve and protective seed proteins spectra were studied by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Method of extreme grouping the spatial variables of these indices was applied for nine populations to obtain a Iq1I and It1i and Irbi, Irbpi. Sets of united indices were compared by regression technique. A comparative statistical analysis of the It1i and Irbi, Irbpi sets in this season was carried out. This possible influence appeared to be individual for each D. antarctica studied population. In each population, part of the plants reacted positively to the bacteria influence, while the other part either did not react or reacted negatively. Dependence of the plant adaptation indices on rhizospheric bacterial communities z(x) is shown in our data. This means that the rhizosphere bacterial community and temperature-dependent rhizosphere bacteria (x) can play an active role in plant adaptation of D. antarctica populations (z) to individual temperature conditions in the microscale of Galindez Island from a biological point of view.

Genome sequence of Umezawaea sp. strain Da 62-37 isolated from the rhizosphere of Deschampsia antarctica E.Desv. (Galindez Island, maritime Antarctic).

In this study, we present the genome sequence of Umezawaea sp. strain Da 62-37, which was isolated from the rhizosphere of Deschampsia antarctica E.Desv. (Galindez Island, maritime Antarctic). The de novo assembly produced one contig, with a length of 11,793,683 bp. AntiSMASH analysis indicated 49 biosynthetic gene clusters.

From acidophilic to ornithogenic: microbial community dynamics in moss banks altered by gentoo penguins.

The study explores the indirect impact of climate change driven by gentoo's penguin colonization pressure on the microbial communities of moss banks formed by Tall moss turf subformation in central maritime Antarctica. Microbial communities and chemical composition of the differently affected moss banks (Unaffected, Impacted and Desolated) located on Galindez Island and Сape Tuxen on the mainland of Kyiv Peninsula were analyzed. The native microbiota of the moss banks' peat was analyzed for the first time, revealing a predominant presence of Acidobacteria (32.2 ± 14.4%), followed by Actinobacteria (15.1 ± 4.0%) and Alphaproteobacteria (9.7 ± 4.1%). Penguin colonization and subsequent desolation of moss banks resulted in an increase in peat pH (from 4.7 ± 0.05 to 7.2 ± 0.6) and elevated concentrations of soluble nitrogen (from 1.8 ± 0.4 to 46.9 ± 2.1 DIN, mg/kg) and soluble phosphorus compounds (from 3.6 ± 2.6 to 20.0 ± 1.8 DIP, mg/kg). The contrasting composition of peat and penguin feces led to the elimination of the initial peat microbiota, with an increase in Betaproteobacteria (from 1.3 ± 0.8% to 30.5 ± 23%) and Bacteroidota (from 5.5 ± 3.7% to 19.0 ± 3.7%) proportional to the intensity of penguins' impact, accompanied by a decrease in community diversity. Microbial taxa associated with birds' guts, such as Gottschalkia and Tissierella, emerged in Impacted and Desolated moss banks, along with bacteria likely benefiting from eutrophication. The changes in the functional capacity of the penguin-affected peat microbial communities were also detected. The nitrogen-cycling genes that regulate the conversion of urea into ammonia, nitrite oxide, and nitrate oxide (ureC, amoA, nirS, nosZ, nxrB) had elevated copy numbers in the affected peat. Desolated peat samples exhibit the highest nitrogen-cycle gene numbers, significantly differing from Unaffected peat (p < 0.05). The expansion of gentoo penguins induced by climate change led to the replacement of acidophilic microbiomes associated with moss banks, shaping a new microbial community influenced by penguin guano's chemical and microbial composition.

Characteristics of Stenotrophomonas rhizophila Lipopolysaccharide, a Representative of Antarctica

Characteristics of Stenotrophomonas rhizophila Lipopolysaccharide, a Representative of Antarctica

Moss bank composition on Galindez Island (Argentine Islands, maritime Antarctic)

Moss bank composition on Galindez Island (Argentine Islands, maritime Antarctic)

Infection patterns of helminth community in black rockcod Notothenia coriiceps in West Antarctica over a 6-year term.

Patterns of the rockcod Notothenia coriiceps infection with helminths were analysed to understand the dynamics of parasite communities in this Antarctic fish and to test their stability over time. The study was performed using helminth samples collected from 183 N. coriiceps in 2014-2015 and 2020-2021 in the vicinity of the Ukrainian Antarctic station (UAS) "Akademik Vernadsky", Galindez Island, Argentine Islands, West Antarctica. Overall, 25 helminth taxonomical categories (nine trematodes, four cestodes, five nematodes, and seven acanthocephalans) were subjected to analysis. A direct comparison of the helminth population characteristics showed that nine species significantly changed their infection parameters during the 6years between the samples. Seven of them (Pseudoterranova sp., Contracaecum sp., Ascarophis nototheniae, monolocular metacestodes, bilocular metacestodes, Metacanthocephalus rennicki, and Diphyllobothrium sp.) were found to have a significant impact on the differences between helminth infracommunities in 2014-2015 and 2020-2021. Most studied patterns of helminth component community appeared to show a stable tendency, and observed fluctuations were close to the steady trend. Slight but significant changes in the infection patterns observed in this study might have been caused by changes in the populations of intermediate, paratenic, and definitive hosts of helminths (marine invertebrates, mammals, and birds), which participate in helminth transmission in Antarctic ecosystems.

Abiotic pathways for the formation of ozone-depleting and other trace gases in the polythermal glacier on Galindez Island, Maritime Antarctica

Abiotic pathways for the formation of ozone-depleting and other trace gases in the polythermal glacier on Galindez Island, Maritime Antarctica

Winter records of killer whales (Orcinus orca) in the waters of the Wilhelm archipelago, West Antarctica

Killer whales (Orcinus orca (Linnaeus, 1758); KWs) are apex marine predators. In Antarctica, they have diverse trophic interactions and belong to five known ecotypes that have substantial differences in morphology, ecology, and acoustic repertoire. Around the Antarctic Peninsula, two distinct sympatric forms of Type B KWs are the most common. Both ecotypes have similar pigmentation patterns, but the larger form has been observed to feed mainly on seals (B1), and a smaller form feed on Pygoscelis penguins (B2). The waters of the West Antarctic Peninsula are experiencing marine ecosystem transformations caused by climate change at one of the fastest rates on Earth. Little is known about the austral winter distribution and ecology of KWs in this changing environment. The purpose of the present study was to reveal the winter distribution and ecology patterns of KWs in the waters of the Wilhelm Archipelago. Boat-based visual and photo-identification observations were performed. The boat cruises were conducted within 14 nautical miles of the Ukrainian Akademik Vernadsky Research Station, Galindez Island. In 2019, 10 surveys of a total of 194 nm were conducted: 4 trips in June and 6 in July. In 2021, 37 surveys of a total of 605 nm were conducted: 12 trips in June, 14 in July, and 11 in August. Surveys were performed when the ice conditions were suitable. During both winters, we managed to record only three groups of KWs. A group of 7 KWs was encountered on 27 June 2019 near Hovgaard and Pleneau islands. The group consisted of adults of both sexes and juvenile individuals. In the same area, on 13 July 2021, another group of KWs was observed, consisting of at least 5 individuals (up to 7). This group included 1 adult male, 2 adult females, a calf, and a juvenile of unknown sex. A comparison of the photos showed different individuals in the two groups. According to the external morphology patterns, it was determined that both groups belong to Type B, most likely of a smaller form (B1). Large gatherings of Pygoscelis penguins were observed in this area during the winter in both years. On 22 July 2021, a group of KWs consisting of 2 adult males was observed in the Penola Strait. Detailed observations of their joint feeding on a crabeater seal (Lobodon carcinophaga Hombron &amp; Jacquinot, 1842) were collected. According to external morphology patterns and behaviour, they belong to a large form of Type B ecotype (B2). As Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba Dana, 1850) move inshore during winter, the Pygoscelis penguins and crabeater seals likely took advantage of ice-free areas to feed on it, and their gatherings could attract KWs of both Type B ecotypes. Future work should include collecting photogrammetry data, skin biopsy samples, feeding behaviour observations, and acoustic recordings to clearly differentiate between KW ecotypes and better understand their winter distribution and ecological patterns in this rapidly changing marine ecosystem.

Culturable microorganisms of substrates of terrestrial plant communities of the maritime Antarctic (Galindez Island, Booth Island)

Culturable microorganisms of substrates of terrestrial plant communities of the maritime Antarctic (Galindez Island, Booth Island)

First morphological and molecular characterization of cystacanths of Corynosoma evae Zdzitowiecki, 1984 (Acanthocephala: Polymorphidae) from Antarctic teleost fishes.

Cystacanths of the polymorphid acanthocephalan Corynosoma evae Zdzitowiecki, 1984 were examined and redescribed based on newly collected material from teleost fishes from coastal waters of the Galindez Island (Argentine Islands, West Antarctica). Detailed morphological data, measurements and photomicrographs, including scanning electron microscopy images, are presented. Our morphological and morphometrical analyses confirmed the validity of C. evae; however, three key characteristics of taxonomic importance (i.e., the number of rows of hooks on the proboscis, and the number and arrangement of genital spines in males) showed significant morphological variability. In addition, a genital spine in the posterior body end of a female is reported for the first time. This study provides the first sequences of the small and large subunits nuclear ribosomal RNA genes (SSU and LSU) and the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) for C. evae. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses of the SSU+LSU+cox1 and the cox1 datasets placed C. evae as a sister lineage to a clade formed by C. validum Van Cleave, 1953 and C. villosum Van Cleave, 1953, although with low support. In contrast, the position of C. evae in the phylogenetic analysis of the SSU+LSU dataset remained unresolved. Finally, C. arctocephali Zdzitowiecki, 1984 from pinnipeds from the subantarctic and Antarctic regions is considered as a valid species.

Estimation of tendencies, homogeneity and stationarity of air temperature at the Ukrainian Antarctic Akademik Vernadsky station during 1951—2020

In this paper results of the complex analysis of surface air temperature tendencies investigations at the Ukrainian Antarctic Akademik Vernadsky station are represented. Antarctica is a region that has a high rate of surface air temperature increase. The Antarctic Peninsula has experienced particularly fast warming, which has the highest temperature rise in the Southern Hemisphere. Therefore, in Antarctica, the study of surface air temperature change is important.&#x0D; The Ukrainian Antarctic Akademik Vernadsky station is located on Galindez Island near the Antarctic Peninsula. Investigation of the surface air temperature is especially relevant to the Akademik Vernadsky station, because it has difficult conditions for its formation. The research goal is the estimation of tendencies, homogeneity and stationarity of the annual and mean monthly values of surface air temperature at the Ukrainian Antarctic Akademik Vernadsky station based on a combined approach with the use of several statistical and graphical methods. The use of various statistical methods that differ in characteristics (sensitivity to the law of distribution, autocorrelation, etc.) allows obtaining more reliable estimates. Graphic methods give an opportunity to analyze the tendencies over time and its change periods, the cyclical fluctuations and their characteristics (phases of increase and decrease, their duration, synchronicity, in-phase). Therefore, 4 statistical tests (standard normal Alexandersson test, Buishand test, Pettitt test, von Neumann relation) and 2 graphical methods (mass curve and residual mass curve) were used in the study.&#x0D; At the Ukrainian Antarctic Akademik Vernadsky station, the observation series of the mean annual air temperature are quasi-homogeneous and quasi-stationary, as it has only a cooling phase and a warming phase of long-term cyclical fluctuations, which are also unfinished. The transition from the cooling phase to the warming phase took place in 1982. Tendencies in mean monthly air temperatures are similar to tendencies in mean annual temperatures. The differences are only for some months, namely, for the period from September to December.

Moss inhabiting diatoms of Galindez Island, Argentine Islands (the maritime Antarctica) exhibit low diversity and pronounced differentiation

The moss-inhabiting diatom flora has been surveyed for the first time on the Galindez Island, Argentine Islands, the maritime Antarctica. Altogether, 23 diatom taxa belonging to 9 genera were identified. Diatom taxa distribution exhibited considerable variability across the samples and lower species richness compared to the communities surveyed in other Antarctic regions studied earlier - South Shetland Islands and James Ross Island. A pronounced single-species dominance was revealed by the analysis of moss-inhabiting diatom communities’ structure at the majority of moss substrates. The allocation of certain diatom species to the particular moss substrates was detected alongside their complete absence in some samples. The reasons for such moss-inhabiting diatom communities’ variability should be further investigated in follow-up studies.

Trematodes from Antarctic teleost fishes off Argentine Islands, West Antarctica: molecular and morphological data.

In 2014-2015 and 2019-2021, teleost fishes off Galindez Island (Antarctic Peninsula) were examined for trematodes. Combined morphological and molecular analyses revealed the presence of eight trematode species of four families (Hemiuridae, Lecithasteridae, Opecoelidae, Lepidapedidae) from five fish species. Only adult trematodes were found and all of them are Antarctic endemics with their congeners occurring on other continents. The hemiuroids, Elytrophalloides oatesi (Leiper & Atkinson, 1914), Genolinea bowersi (Leiper & Atkinson, 1914), and Lecithaster macrocotyle Szidat & Graefe, 1967 belong to the most common Antarctic species and together with Lepidapedon garrardi (Leiper & Atkinson, 1914) and Neolebouria georgiensis Gibson, 1976 they were recorded as the least host-specific parasites. The originally sub-Antarctic Neolepidapedon macquariensis Zdzitowiecki, 1993 is a new record for the Antarctic Peninsula and Parachaenichthys charcoti (Vaillant), is a new host record. Neolebouria terranovaensis Zdzitowiecki, Pisano & Vacchi, 1993 is considered a synonym of N. georgiensis because of identical morphology and dimensions. The currently known phylogenetic relationships within the studied families are supported, including the polyphyly of Macvicaria Gibson & Bray, 1982 with the future need to accommodate its Antarctic species in a new genus. The validity of M. georgiana (Kovaleva & Gaevskaja, 1974) and M. magellanica Laskowski, Jezewski & Zdzitowiecki, 2013 needs to be confirmed by further analyses. Genetic sequence data are still scarce from Antarctica, and more studies applying integrative taxonomic approaches and large-scale parasitological examinations of benthic invertebrates are needed to match sequences of larval stages to those of well-characterised adults and to elucidate trematode life-cycles.

Assessment of Pesticide, Dioxin-like Polychlorinated Biphenyl, and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Existence around Galindez Island, and Comparison with the Organic Pollution Bibliography of the Antarctic Peninsula

Sediment, notothenioid fish, and moss samples were collected from the vicinity of Galindez Island, Antarctic Peninsula during the austral autumn of 2016 and 2017. Pesticide, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH), and dioxin-like Polychlorinated Biphenyl (dl-PCB) concentrations were measured using High-Resolution Gas and Liquid Chromatography. Pollutant concentrations were below detection limits in sediment and moss samples. However, pesticides, PAH, and dl-PCB congeners were detected in the muscle tissue of fishes. Pesticide concentrations varied between 0.46 and 12.2 ng/g-dw, and Mecarbam was the dominant compound. Kresoxim-methyl, Mecarbam, Procymidone, Pyridaben, and Quinoxyfen were reported in the muscle tissue of the fishes, for the first time from the Antarctic. PCB-118, PCB-105, and PCB-156 were dominant dl-PCBs. The ∑12-dl-PCB concentration was 160,929 pg/g-dw, and WHO-TEQ-total dl-PCB was 8.30 pg/g-dw in Trematomus bernachii, over the consumable limit in fishes according to the European Commission. The PCB-126 concentration was 36 pg/g-dw in the muscle tissue of fish, the first reported from the Antarctic. Phenanthrene was the dominant PAH congener. The ∑16-PAH concentration was 22.5 ng/g-dw. PAH sources were local and petrogenic in the fishes, likely after long-term bioaccumulation. The flow rate is rather low around Galindez Island; accordingly, contaminant removal takes time and may demonstrate long-lasting effects including bioaccumulation in the marine food web.

Chromatographic and mass spectrometric analysis of secondary metabolites of Deschampsia antarctica from Galindez Island, Argentine Islands

Chromatographic and mass spectrometric analysis of secondary metabolites of Deschampsia antarctica from Galindez Island, Argentine Islands

Antarctic Hairgrass Rhizosphere Microbiomes: Microscale Effects Shape Diversity, Structure, and Function.

The rhizosphere microbiome of the native Antarctic hairgrass Deschampsia antarctica from the central maritime Antarctic was investigated using 16S RNA metagenomics and compared to those of the second native Antarctic plant Colobanthus quitensis and closely related temperate D. cespitosa. The rhizosphere microbial communities of D. antarctica and D. cespitosa had high taxon richness, while that of C. quitensis had markedly lower diversity. The majority of bacteria in the rhizosphere communities of the hairgrass were affiliated to Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria. The rhizosphere of C. quitensis was dominated by Actinobacteria. All microbial communities included high proportions of unique amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) and there was high heterogeneity between samples at the ASV level. The soil parameters examined did not explain this heterogeneity. Bacteria belonging to Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria were sensitive to fluctuations in the soil surface temperature. The values of the United Soil Surface Temperature Influence Index (UTII, Iti) showed that variations in most microbial communities from Galindez Island were associated with microscale variations in temperature. Metabolic predictions in silico using PICRUSt 2.0, based on the taxonomically affiliated part of the microbiomes, showed similarities with the rhizosphere community of D. antarctica in terms of the predicted functional repertoire. The results obtained indicate that these communities are involved in the primary processes of soil development (particularly the degradation of lignin and lignin-derived compounds) in the central maritime Antarctic and may be beneficial for the growth of Antarctic vascular plants. However, due to the limitations associated with interpreting PICRUSt 2.0 outputs, these predictions need to be verified experimentally.

Preliminary estimates of the number and diversity of the culturable endophytic bacteria from Deschampsia antarctica and Colobanthus quitensis

Endophytes are able to promote the plant's growth and are essential for their hosts to overcome biotic and abiotic stress. Plant-promoting capacities of these microorganisms can be crucial for Antarctic plants. The aim of the study was to estimate the number and diversity of culturable endophytic microorganisms from Deschampsia antarctica and Colobanthus quitensis growing in different localities of the West Antarctic Peninsula. Methods. Serial dilutions of the surface-sterilized plant biomass were inoculated on the CASO (Merk, USA) and R2A (Merk, USA) media and cultured at room temperature for a week. Number of colonies and their morphotypes were estimated. Results. The number of colony-forming units in the aboveground part and roots of D. antarctica was 4×106 ±2×106 and 7×106 ±2×106 per g of biomass, respectively. The colony forming units CFU number in the aboveground part of C. quitensis was 3×106±1×106 per g of biomass. The highest number of CFU was in the roots of D. antarctica from Galindez Island on both media (n×107). The highest CFU number in C. quitensis was in plants from Deception Island on nutrient-poor (7×106) and -rich (1×107) media. The lowest value was found for C. quitensis from Cape Pérez (7×103 on R2A and 1×104 on CASO). There was no significant difference in the number of CFU grown on nutrient-poor and nutrient-rich medium, but the morphology of the CFU varied on the two media. 112 pure cultures of endophytes were isolated. The vast majority (78%) of the isolates were gram-negative rods. The number of cultured endophytes of Antarctic vascular plans varied across the samples, which can be affected both by the features of the individual plants and the ecology of sites where they grow. Bacterial communities did not significantly vary in number depending on the medium but did somewhat differ in morphology. A collection of 112 endophyte isolates was developed, which is important to study their genetic and physiological traits and mechanisms of plant-bacteria interaction. Conclusions. Isolation of the endophytic microorganisms is important to study their genetic and physiological traits and mechanisms of plant-bacteria interaction.Keywords: Antarctic hairgrass, Antarctic pearlwort, maritime Antarctica, symbionts of plants

Biogenic elements in terrestrial substrates, freshwater pools and subice seamples of the Argentine islands – Kyiv peninsula region, the Maritime Antarctic

Aim. The aim was to estimate inflow of nitrogen and phosphorus to the terrestrial substrate, freshwater pools, as well as in the ice core and subglacial waters, from the sea-bird colonies, and locations of non-colonial flying birds, or individual colonial birds activity. Methods. The samples of substrates, fresh waters, ice cores and samples from the subglacial waters collected during the 25th (2019/20) and 26th (2020/21) Ukrainian Antarctic expeditions in the area of the Argentine Islands – Kyiv Peninsula were analyzed by selected indicators of ornithogenic impact – concentration of bioaviable forms of nitrogen and phosphorus. Results. The concentration for nitrogen and phosphorus are shown to be ornitogenic in samples from all explored locations. High concentrations of ornithogenic compounds were detected not only inflowing from birds colonies, in particular penguins, but also in samples without their influence. Conclusions. The obtained data confirm the high level of influence of both colonial and non-colonial birds on terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems of the Argentine Islands-Kyiv Peninsula. It is shown that the edifying effect and inflow of significant amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus occurs not only in large penguin colonies, but also in single nesting or feeding and resting areas of non-colonial flying birds, or in the presence of individual colonial birds in the study area. However, in the locations of large penguin colonies, easily disolved bioavailable forms of nitrogen and phosphorus are found in much higher, hypertrophic concentrations. Relatively low concentrations of nutrients are currently found only in areas that have recently been released from the glacier and remain uninhabited, unattractive or inaccessible to birds. Such locations are currently marked only on the coast of the Kyiv Peninsula and are associated with the recent retreat of local glaciers. In case of the presence of penguins or the activity of non-colonial or individual colonial birds, all studied freshwater pools were eutrophied to varying extend. The dynamics of organic matter inflow to some of the studied freshwater pools of the region probably indicates the permanent eutrophication. Studies of the ice core of the Galindez Island Glacier and subglacial freshwaters have shown that ornithogenic effects have been observed here for a long time.Key words: eutrophication, seabirds, the Antarctic, substrates, freshwater pools.

ISOLATION OF BACTERIA FROM THE SITES OF FEED AND NESTING ACTIVITY OF LARUS DOMINICANUS (GALINDEZISLAND, THE MARITIMEANTARCTIC) AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS

The aim of the study was to investigate the number of different groups of microorganisms in soil samples from sites of feed and nesting activity of Larus dominicanus (Galindez Island, the maritime Antarctic) and to characterize the physiological and biochemical properties of isolated microorganisms. Methods. In the work standard microbiological and biochemical research methods were used (cultural, microscopy methods, determination of enzymatic activity). Genomic DNA was isolated by soft lysis. The 16 S rRNA gene was amplified using universal primers 27F and 1492R. Identification of isolates was performed based on the determination of the 16 S rRNA gene sequence, physiological and biochemical properties. Results. The number of microorganisms of different groups in soil samples from sites of food and nesting activity of Larus dominicanus (Galindez Island, the maritime Antarctic) was established. 74 isolates of bacteria were isolated. Isolate 2U-K-37, that was isolated from upper layer of soil, and isolate 2B-K-54, that was isolated from a depth of 2–5 cm, were characterized by amylase, lipase, phospholipase, protease activities, the ability to form exopolysaccharides.They were identified by sequencing of the 16 S rRNA gene, physiological and biochemical properties as Pedobacter sp. 2U-K-37 and Pseudarthrobacter sp. 2B-K-54. In the soil samples from sites of feed and nesting activity of Larus dominicanus microorganisms that metabolize nitrogen of organic compounds were the most numerous. Oligotrophic microorganisms and microorganisms that metabolize nitrogen of inorganic compounds were less numerous. The number of microorganisms of groups in the samples from the soil surface and lower layers differed statistically significant. Isolated and identified obligate psychrophilic strain Pedobacter sp. 2U-K-37 and psychrotolerant strain Pseudarthrobacter sp. 2B-K-54 are moderate halophiles that are able to hydrolyze starch, gelatin, tween-20 and synthesize exopolysaccharides.