Center for Glacial Biome Doctoral Network

Project Information

ICEBIO

Grant agreement ID: 101072761

DOI

10.3030/101072761

EC signature date 6 July 2022

Start date 1 October 2022

End date 30 September 2026

Funded under

• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)

Total cost

No data

EU contribution

€ 2 820 448,80

Coordinated by

AARHUS UNIVERSITET
Denmark

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ICEBIO (Center for Glacial Biome Doctoral Network)

Reporting period: 2022-10-01 to 2024-09-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Glaciers and ice sheets were long believed to be sterile environments, but just like other large ecosystems (e.g. tropical forests, tundra), they are now widely recognized as one of the Earth’s biomes, teeming with life. Active algae, fungi, bacteria and viruses dominate the glacial environment and they have the ability to change the physical and chemical characteristics of the ice and snow, with global effects. For instance, increasing ice melt rates are observed due to growth of pigmented algae on glacier surfaces and substantial amounts of methane from subglacial habitats are added to the global greenhouse gas budget. Despite their global influence, many of the microbiological processes within the cryosphere remain poorly quantified. A deeper understanding of such processes is relevant to researchers interested in the possibility of life on icy extraterrestrial bodies, the survival and proliferation of life forms on our early Earth (e.g. during the part of the Proterozoic era known as Snowball Earth), and the positive and negative feedbacks that the cryosphere may have on global warming. The microbial communities living in association with icy environments may also harbor unique metabolic pathways, providing novel opportunities in biotechnology.

ICEBIO is a Doctoral Network that will train the next generation of glacier microbiology and biogeochemistry experts. The training and research programme is made up of seven interlinked Work Packages (WP). WP1 to WP4 are research work packages at the cutting edge of glacial microbiology and biogeochemistry and these will be supported by three overarching WPs (WP5-7) associated with the management, training, and dissemination of results. ICEBIO will deliver a detailed framework and database of the functional diversity and potential of the glacier biome, not only serving to dramatically advance our understanding of a threatened biome, but also laying out potential for use in economic and environmental services.

As described in annex 1, part B, Description of the Action, the overall objectives of ICEBIO are to:
(1) Prepare doctoral candidates for critical roles in the coming years of glacier meltdown, by providing urgently needed training in state-of-the-art technology, and glacier microbiology and biogeochemistry, and;
(2) Significantly advance our understanding of the glacier and ice sheet biome, its feedbacks with rapid ice disappearance, and the ecosystem services it provides.

More information about ICEBIO can be found on the dedicated website here:
https://www.icebio.eu

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During the first reporting period, significant progress was made. A management meeting in month 1 reviewed project finances, recruitment strategies, training objectives, fieldwork plans, and timelines. A recruitment drive filled all doctoral positions within the first year, and key network boards were established. All milestones and deliverables due in this period were uploaded on time.

In September 2023, a kickoff meeting was held with 8 out of 10 MSCA doctoral candidates (DCs) and 2 PhD students from EPFL. The two absent DCs accessed training materials online. Candidates began training in glacial microbiology and biogeochemistry, covering topics like glaciology, nutrient detection, and the influence of microbes on glacier surfaces. They also received field safety training, including first aid and crevasse training.

A second network-wide training event focused on Omics in the Cryosphere and Experimental Design and Data Handling, with all 12 DCs participating. Training included environmental genomics, metatranscriptomics, and metabolomic tools, integrating omics approaches with geochemical data.

All DCs have started their fieldwork, collecting and analyzing samples, aiming to publish their first research papers.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

ICEBIO aims to have scientific impact and to provide first strides in our understanding of glaciers in ecosystem services.

WP1 focuses on biogeochemical and microbial processes on ice surfaces. DC1 studies microbial diversity in aerosols on glaciers, DC2 analyzes microbial communities in snow, DC3 investigates metabolomics on the Greenland ice sheet, DC4 cultures bacteria from cryoconite samples, and DC5 catalogs metabolites in glacial habitats. WP1 highlights the core microbiome and metabolome of glacial surfaces.

WP2 examines subglacial biogeochemical and microbial processes and their downstream impacts. DC6 studies nutrient production under ice sheets, DC7 analyzes nutrient fluxes from glaciers to coastal waters, and DC8 investigates the export of glacial flour and its impact on fjords. WP2 shows that subglacial interactions promote nutrient transformations, affecting downstream ecosystems.

WP3 addresses ecosystem services provided by glaciers and the risks of glacier melting. DC9 studies microbial diversity in glacial flour, DC10 investigates pathogenic bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes in snow and ice, and DC12 focuses on the alga Hydrurus foetidus in glacial-fed streams. WP3 emphasizes the importance of glaciers in providing ecosystem services and the need for risk assessments.

WP4 integrates methods for sampling and analyzing glacial samples across locations. It coordinates omics and sensor technology methods and provides recommendations for future studies. WP4 ensures consistent and comparable data across ICEBIO projects.

Safety training of doctoral candidates during kick off meeting