Snow algae

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An example of snow algae

Snow algae are a group of freshwater micro-algae which grow in the alpine and polar regions of the earth.[1] Snow algae has been found on every continent, but still have a restricted range of temperature to flourish. The typical restricted range for most species is between 0°C-10°C, with their temperatures for optimal growth between 0°C-5°C [2]. These algae have been observed to come in a variety of colors associated with both the individual species, stage of life or topography/geography.[3][4] A typical snow algae in the alps and polar regions is Chlamydomonas nivalis. This variation is associated with both albedo differences of the snowy habitat and the presence of micro-invertebrates. Snow algae play a critical role in the trophic organization as primary producers who in turn are consumed primarily by tardigrades and rotifers.[5] Snow algae have also been found to travel great distances being carried by winds.[6]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Leya, Thomas (2013), Seckbach, Joseph; Oren, Aharon; Stan-Lotter, Helga (eds.), "Snow Algae: Adaptation Strategies to Survive on Snow and Ice", Polyextremophiles: Life Under Multiple Forms of Stress, Cellular Origin, Life in Extreme Habitats and Astrobiology, Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands, vol. 27, pp. 401–423, doi:10.1007/978-94-007-6488-0_17, ISBN 978-94-007-6488-0, retrieved 2022-03-03
  2. ^ Hoham, Ronald W.; Remias, Daniel (April 2020). "Snow and Glacial Algae: A Review 1". Journal of Phycology. 56 (2): 264–282. Bibcode:2020JPcgy..56..264H. doi:10.1111/jpy.12952. ISSN 0022-3646. PMC 7232433. PMID 31825096.
  3. ^ Spijkerman, Elly; Wacker, Alexander; Weithoff, Guntram; Leya, Thomas (2012). "Elemental and fatty acid composition of snow algae in Arctic habitats". Frontiers in Microbiology. 3: 380. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2012.00380. ISSN 1664-302X. PMC 3482990. PMID 23112797.
  4. ^ Thomas, William H.; Duval, Brian (November 1995). "Sierra Nevada, California, U.S.A., Snow Algae: Snow Albedo Changes, Algal-Bacterial Interrelationships, and Ultraviolet Radiation Effects". Arctic and Alpine Research. 27 (4): 389. doi:10.2307/1552032. ISSN 0004-0851. JSTOR 1552032.
  5. ^ Ono, Masato; Takeuchi, Nozomu; Zawierucha, Krzysztof (2020-11-25). "Snow Algae Blooming Are Benefitable for Microinvertebrates Assemblages (Tardigrada and Rotifera) on the Seasonal Snow Patches in Japan" (PDF). doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-109493/v1. S2CID 241068169. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  6. ^ Hoham, Ronald W.; Remias, Daniel (April 2020). "Snow and Glacial Algae: A Review 1". Journal of Phycology. 56 (2): 264–282. Bibcode:2020JPcgy..56..264H. doi:10.1111/jpy.12952. ISSN 0022-3646. PMC 7232433. PMID 31825096.