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Modern humans are mineral deficient; thus, considerable attention has been focused on vitamins and polyphenols taken in supplements. However, in the case of minerals, only a few are known, such as calcium, zinc, and iron. As minerals are essential for proper physiologic function, mineral deficiencies are a risk factor for various serious diseases. For a variety of reasons, it has become difficult in recent years for humans to ingest the required amounts of minerals through diet alone, creating the need for a means of easy mineral replenishment. In this study, we measured changes in various physiologic parameters when 36 healthy individuals drank one bottle (550 mL) of water per day for one month containing minerals extracted from deep-sea water and adjusted to a hardness of 300. Although there were no changes in body weight or body mass index, body fat percentage decreased significantly, and basal metabolic rate and muscle mass increased significantly. Although the mechanism behind these changes is unknown, continuous intake of water amended with minerals extracted from deep-sea water may be an excellent approach to replenishing essential minerals.

Glacier phototroph blooms on the surfaces of ice sheets and glaciers cause albedo reduction, leading to increased melting rates. We observed seasonal changes in the abundance of phototrophs on the Qaanaaq Ice Cap in northwestern Greenland from June to August 2014, and reproduced these changes using numerical and empirical models. The phototroph community on the ice surface mainly consisted of the glacier alga Ancylonema nordenskioldii and the cyanobacterium Phormidesmis priestleyi. The glacier alga appeared on the ice surface in late June, after which its abundance increased exponentially throughout the melting period. A logistic growth model designed for snow algal growth reproduced the measured exponential increases, suggesting that growth could be explained using the model as a function of the ice melting duration. Cyanobacteria appeared and their abundance increased in late July but did not change exponentially thereafter. The abundance of cyanobacteria was explained with an empirical model expressed as a function of the amount of mineral dust on the bare ice surface. Our numerical and empirical models for reproducing glacier algae and cyanobacteria could be useful for quantifying the albedo reduction caused by their growth and the melt rates of the Greenland ice sheet and glaciers in the future.

ABSTRACTSnow algae are photosynthetic microbes growing on melting snow surfaces, the blooms of which are visible on alpine snowpacks in Japan during the melting season. We characterized the seasonal and altitudinal variations in algal blooms on Mount Gassan, Japan, to assess the influence of vegetation on the algal bloom. From May to July in 2019, we collected colored snow from lower deciduous forest to the upper alpine areas. In the lower forest area, chlorophyll-a concentration in colored snow samples increased concomitantly with deciduous tree budburst, whereas in the alpine area, chlorophyll-a increased from June to July, although at lower levels than in the forest area. The absorption spectra of algal pigments extracted from samples differed among study sites and seasons, with those obtained from forest sites mainly characterized by absorption of chlorophylls and primary carotenoids, whereas those from alpine sites showed an intense secondary carotenoid peak throughout the study period. Chemical solute analyses revealed a general abundance of phosphate in snow, which was significantly higher in forest than in alpine sites and positively correlated with chlorophyll-a concentration. These findings suggest that nutrient supply from the forest canopy largely controls the appearance of colored snow in this area.

Abstract Glacier algae, which are photosynthetic microbes growing on ice, considerably reduce the surface albedo of glaciers and accelerate their melting rate. Although the growth of glacier algae can be suppressed by parasitic chytrids, the impact of chytrids on algal populations is still largely unknown. In this study, we described the morphology of the chytrid infecting the glacier alga Ancylonema nordenskioeldii and quantified the prevalence of infection in different habitats on a mountain glacier in Alaska, USA. Microscopic observations revealed three different morphological types of chytrids with distinct rhizoid shapes. Variations in the size of the sporangia were probably because of their different growth stages, indicating that they actively propagated on the glacier. The prevalence of infection did not vary among sites with different elevations but was substantially higher in cryoconite holes (20%) than on ice surfaces (4%) at all sites. This indicates that cryoconite holes are hot spots for chytrid infections of glacier algae, and the dynamics of cryoconite holes might affect the host–parasite interactions between chytrids and the glacier algae, which may in turn alter surface albedo and ice melting.

Global warming effects in temperate and polar regions include higher average temperatures and a decrease in snow cover, which together lead to an increase in the number of freeze–thaw cycles (FTC). These changes could affect the fitness of both terrestrial and aquatic species. In this study, we tested how tardigrades, ubiquitous microscopic invertebrates, face FTC. Tardigrades are amongst the most resistant animals to unfavorable conditions, including long and deep freezing periods, and are an emerging model group for invertebrate ecology and evolution. We used 12 populations of tardigrades, representing different families within order Parachela, inhabiting different ecosystems (glaciers, snow, terrestrial, aquatic), found in various substrates (mosses, sediments in lakes, cryoconite on glaciers, and snow), and originating from different latitudes and altitudes. We estimated the number of cycles required to kill 50% of individuals and tested for its association with ecological characteristics of the natural habitat (e.g., number of months with predicted FTC), while accounting for phylogeny. The most resistant tardigrades to FTC were the ones from mountain areas and glaciers. The estimated number of cycles required to kill 50% of individuals was the highest for mountainous species inhabiting rock pools and cryoconite holes on glaciers (30 and 14 FTC, respectively). Tardigrades from lowlands were the most sensitive to changes, with 50% of individuals dying after three FTC, while lacustrine and subtropical tardigrades required only one FTC to reach 50% mortality. Our study shows that the response to recurrent freezing stress is taxon dependent and related to the local environmental conditions. The predicted increase of FTC cycles will negatively impact tardigrade populations. Considering the abundance and various trophic roles of tardigrades, reduction in population sizes or the disappearance of some fragile species could affect the functioning of both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Tardigrades are candidate indicators of how freeze–thaw cycles impact ubiquitous microscopic metazoans with similar physiological capabilities.

Abstract The oldest oceanic basin (160–180 Ma) in the western Pacific is the birthplace of the Pacific Plate and is thus essential for understanding the formation and evolution of the oceanic plate. However, the upper mantle structure beneath the region has not been thoroughly investigated because of the remoteness and difficulties of long‐term in situ seismic measurements at the ocean bottom. From 2018 to 2019, the Oldest‐1 experiment on the oldest seafloor was conducted as part of the international Pacific Array initiative. We present the first three‐dimensional P‐wave velocity structure down to a depth of 350 km based on the relative travel time residuals of teleseismic earthquakes recorded by 11 broadband ocean‐bottom seismometers operated during the Oldest‐1 experiment. Our result shows a fast P‐wave velocity anomaly (VP perturbation of 2%–4% faster than average) at a depth of 95–185 km beneath the northeast of the study area. This structure is interpreted as evidence of dry, viscous, and rigid materials at depths below the lithosphere. Two slow anomalies (VP perturbation of 2%–4% slower than average) are seen beneath the southwestern and eastern (the oldest seafloor >170 Ma) parts of the array site. The low‐velocity zones are found at depths of 95–305 km. The observed velocity structures can be indicative of plume activities that affected the upper mantle as the Pacific Plate migrated over hotspots from the southeast. Alternatively, the observed velocity features may provide seismic evidence for small‐scale sublithospheric convection.

Abstract Snow ecosystems are an important component of polar and mountainous regions, influencing water regime, biogeochemical cycles and supporting snow specific taxa. Although snow is considered to be one of the most unique, and at the same time a disappearing habitat, knowledge of its taxonomic diversity is still limited. It is true especially for micrometazoans appearing in snow algae blooming areas. In this study, we used morphological and molecular approaches to identify two tardigrade species found in green snow patches of Mt. Gassan in Japan. By morphology, light (PCM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and morphometry we described Hypsibius nivalis sp. nov. which differs from other similar species by granular, polygonal sculpture on the dorsal cuticle and by the presence of cuticular bars next to the internal claws. Additionally, phylogenetic multilocus (COI, 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA) analysis of the second taxon, Hypsibius sp. identified by morphology as convergens-pallidus group, showed its affinity to the Hypsibiidae family and it is placed as a sister clade to all species in the Hypsibiinae subfamily. Our study shows that microinvertebrates associated with snow are poorly known and the assumption that snow might be inhabited by snow-requiring tardigrade taxa cannot be ruled out. Furthermore, our study contributes to the understanding subfamily Hypsibiinae showing that on its own the morphology of specimens belonging to convergens-pallidus group is insufficient in establishing a true systematic position of specimens.

IntroductionMicrobial communities are important components of glacier and snowpack ecosystems that influence biogeochemical cycles and snow/ice melt. Recent environmental DNA surveys have revealed that chytrids dominate the fungal communities in polar and alpine snowpacks. These could be parasitic chytrids that infect snow algae as observed microscopically. However, the diversity and phylogenetic position of parasitic chytrids has not been identified due to difficulties in establishing their culture and subsequent DNA sequencing. In this study, we aimed to identify the phylogenetic positions of chytrids infecting the snow algae, Chloromonas spp., bloomed on snowpacks in Japan.MethodsBy linking a microscopically picked single fungal sporangium on a snow algal cell to a subsequent sequence of ribosomal marker genes, we identified three novel lineages with distinct morphologies.ResultsAll the three lineages belonged to Mesochytriales, located within “Snow Clade 1”, a novel clade consisting of uncultured chytrids from snow-covered environments worldwide. Additionally, putative resting spores of chytrids attached to snow algal cells were observed.DiscussionThis suggests that chytrids may survive as resting stage in soil after snowmelt. Our study highlights the potential importance of parasitic chytrids that infect snow algal communities.

Abstract Background Cryoconite granules are mineral–microbial aggregates found on glacier surfaces worldwide and are hotspots of biogeochemical reactions in glacier ecosystems. However, despite their importance within glacier ecosystems, the geographical diversity of taxonomic assemblages and metabolic potential of cryoconite communities around the globe remain unclear. In particular, the genomic content of cryoconite communities on Asia’s high mountain glaciers, which represent a substantial portion of Earth’s ice masses, has rarely been reported. Therefore, in this study, to elucidate the taxonomic and ecological diversities of cryoconite bacterial consortia on a global scale, we conducted shotgun metagenomic sequencing of cryoconite acquired from a range of geographical areas comprising Polar (Arctic and Antarctic) and Asian alpine regions. Results Our metagenomic data indicate that compositions of both bacterial taxa and functional genes are particularly distinctive for Asian cryoconite. Read abundance of the genes responsible for denitrification was significantly more abundant in Asian cryoconite than the Polar cryoconite, implying that denitrification is more enhanced in Asian glaciers. The taxonomic composition of Cyanobacteria, the key primary producers in cryoconite communities, also differs between the Polar and Asian samples. Analyses on the metagenome-assembled genomes and fluorescence emission spectra reveal that Asian cryoconite is dominated by multiple cyanobacterial lineages possessing phycoerythrin, a green light-harvesting component for photosynthesis. In contrast, Polar cryoconite is dominated by a single cyanobacterial species Phormidesmis priestleyi that does not possess phycoerythrin. These findings suggest that the assemblage of cryoconite bacterial communities respond to regional- or glacier-specific physicochemical conditions, such as the availability of nutrients (e.g., nitrate and dissolved organic carbon) and light (i.e., incident shortwave radiation). Conclusions Our genome-resolved metagenomics provides the first characterization of the taxonomic and metabolic diversities of cryoconite from contrasting geographical areas, highlighted by the distinct light-harvesting approaches of Cyanobacteria and nitrogen utilization between Polar and Asian cryoconite, and implies the existence of environmental controls on the assemblage of cryoconite communities. These findings deepen our understanding of the biodiversity and biogeochemical cycles of glacier ecosystems, which are susceptible to ongoing climate change and glacier decline, on a global scale. Video abstract

Abstract The results show the morphological analyses and spectroscopic studies of snow and glacier algae and their parasitic fungi in Svalbard (High Arctic). Fixed algal cells of two species, Sanguina nivaloides and Ancylonema nordenskioeldii, were imaged using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Fluorescence microscopy using Calcofluor white stain supported the observations of parasitic fungi on the algal cells. Images in brightfield microscopy showed chytrid-like fungi penetrating the cells of both algal species. Parasites were found to colonize the cells of A. nordenskioeldii and hypnozygotes of S. nivaloides, while no fungi infected the cyst stages of S. nivaloides. The autofluorescence analysis revealed the ability of S. nivaloides to glow when excited with different wavelengths, while A. nordenskioeldii did not fluoresce. The hypnozygotes of S. nivaloides emitted brighter fluorescence than the cysts, and the most intense luminosity was observed in the UV range. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) spectroscopic analysis showed differences in the chemical composition between samples collected from three different sites. Samples dominated by cyst cells were characterized by the presence of an abundant polysaccharide envelope.

Diverse microbial communities live on glacial surfaces, with abundances and diversities dictated by the chemical and physical conditions of the supraglacial environment. Chemical solutes and mineral dust on glacial surfaces are generally derived from the atmosphere as aerosols, but they can also be supplied from glacial ice. In this study, a 56-m ice core from the ablation area of a mountain glacier in the Tien Shan Mountains of Central Asia was analyzed to characterize the chemical solutes and mineral dust in glacial ice. Soluble chemical ion and mineral dust analysis in the ice core showed that their concentrations varied with depth. The most dominant ion was Ca2+ (mean: 79.8 μEq L−1), followed by Cl−, SO42-, NH4+, and NO3−. The mean dust concentration in the glacial ice was 2.5 ×105 number ml−1. Chemical solute and mineral dust concentrations in the samples indicate that melting glacial ice could potentially affect supraglacial conditions. The annual fluxes of the major ions outcropping from glacial ice were estimated based on their concentrations and the observed melt rate of the ice surface. Consequently, they were comparable to or higher than those from the atmosphere. The mean mass flux of mineral dust from glacial ice was greater than that from the atmosphere. Our results showed that glacial ice supplies chemical solutes and mineral dust to the supraglacial environment and that changing melting rates of glacial ice would affect the chemical conditions on the glacier surface and the growth of photoautotrophs on the ablating ice surface.

Diverse microbes have been revealed to live in glaciers worldwide, but only a few biological studies were dedicated to glaciers in tropical Africa. These glaciers are shrinking rapidly and are expected to disappear shortly. In this study, we carried out biological and glaciological field observations on Stanley Glacier, the largest remaining glacier in the Rwenzori Mountains, Uganda, Africa. Microbial aggregates ranging from micrometer to centimeter in size were found on the glacier surface and contained moss and various types of Chlorophyta, among which a new endemic species of green alga. Concentrations of total impurities on the glacier surface, including microbial aggregates, varied spatially and decreased as altitude increased. The large microbial aggregates (larger than 4 cm in diameter) were found only at the glacier surface near the terminus and side margins, where the surface was less frequently covered with snow. It is also shown that the total organic matter on the glacier surface is determined by the timing of snow cover, which affects the quantity of solar radiation reaching the glacier ice surface. Furthermore, the total impurity content was negatively correlated with surface reflectivity, revealing their potential role in albedo reduction at the glacier surface through positive feedback between enhanced meltwater and increased biological growth.

Deep-sea water (DSW) contains multiple minerals and is widely used as drinking water, for cosmetic purposes, and as seasoning. In this study, several types of extract-added water with different levels of hardness (200, 300, 500) were prepared from DSW collected off the coast of Muroto City, Kochi Prefecture. We administrated it to obese mice for two months and tested it for several effects. Although there was no anti-obesity effect for any hardness level in obese mice, the cognitive functions of each DSW-extract-added water-treated group were significantly improved compared to control obese mice in the water maze test. Time-to-fall by the rota-rod test was also dramatically improved in the DSW-extract-added water-treated groups. The levels of triglycerides and blood urea nitrogen were significantly decreased in DSW-extract-added water-treated obese mice. However, these results did not depend on the hardness. Hardness levels of 200 or 300 of DSW-extract-added water had greater effects on cognitive function and serum scores compared to a level of 500. We analyzed DSW using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. High concentrations of magnesium and potassium were detected, but sodium was not detected at very high concentrations. Although the detailed mechanisms of its effects are not yet understood, chronic intake of DSW-extract-added water may have a beneficial effect on health.

Snow algae are photosynthetic microbes growing on snowpacks and are commonly observed in mountain areas in Japan. In this study, we report the snow algal blooms observed in Mt. Echigo-Komagatake located in Niigata prefecture, Japan. Field investigation was conducted in late June of 2021 on a snow patch located in an alpine zone at an altitude of 2000 m above sea level. Patches of snow with red, green, or brown color were observed on the snowpack. Microscopic observation showed that the colored snow contained various morpho-types of snow algal cells, which appeared to be similar to those previously reported in Japan. The algal communities of the colored snow were mostly dominated by red spherical cells, which is likely to be Sanguina nivaloides, and consistent with those of the red snow reported in other alpine snowpacks in Japan. However, some samples showed a community consisting of various cell types, including multiple species of genus Chloromonas. The difference in community structure may be due to distance from vegetation around the snow patch, nutrient conditions of the snow, and/or growth period of the algae. The snow algal blooms of Mt. Echigo-Komagatake can be characterized by the appearance of various colors and algal communities on a snowpack. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]