Preliminary investigation of the thermal biosystem of Mount Rittmann fumaroles (northern Victoria Land, Antarctica)

• Published in: Antarctic Science
• Main Authors: Bargagli, R., Broady, P.A., Walton, D.W.H.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1996
• Subjects: Antarctic; Mount Rittmann; Rittmann; Victoria Land; Antarc*; Antarctic Science; Antarctica
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0954102096000181; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0954102096000181

The biota and environment of fumarolic ground recently discovered near Mount Rittmann are described. Three patches (about 1 m 2 each) of the moss Pohlia nutans were found in a minor caldera rim. Cyanophytes, chlorophytes, protozoa and bacteria were isolated from the moss and warm ground (30–50°C). The results are compared with those of previous studies on Antarctic volcanoes. The origin of the geothermal flora is discussed in terms of long-distance transport of propagules to the continent.