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Microbial Communities of Soils and Soil-like Bodies in Extreme Conditions of East Antarctica

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Results of an integrated study of microbial communities in soils and soil-like bodies formed in the wet intermountain valleys of East Antarctic oases under moss-, lichen-, algae- or cyanobacteria-dominated associations are summarized. Colonization of soil horizons by microorganisms, microbial biomass, potential biological activity, high viability of soil microorganisms and their resistance to extreme environmental conditions are considered. Perspectives of microbiological studies addressed towards evaluation of the functional role of microorganisms in the formation of Antarctica soils are discussed.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The work was supported in part by the RAS Presidium Program “Evolution of the Organic World and Planetary Processes” (PRAN 1.22P), the Russian Science Foundation project no. 14-50-00029 (in the separation of microbial cultures, their identification, and storage), the Russian Science Foundation project no. 14-27-00133  (in the soil studies in East Antarctica), and the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, project no. 16-04-01776a (in the study of endolithic and hypolithic systems).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Moscow State University, 119991, Moscow, Russia

    V. S. Soina, A. G. Kudinova, L. V. Lysak & E. A. Vorobyova

  2. Institute of Geography, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119017, Moscow, Russia

    N. S. Mergelov, A. V. Dolgikh & I. G. Shorkunov

  3. Federal Research Center “Fundamentals of Biotechnology”, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119071, Moscow, Russia

    E. V. Demkina

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  1. V. S. Soina
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  2. N. S. Mergelov
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Correspondence to V. S. Soina.

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Translated by K. Pankratova

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Soina, V.S., Mergelov, N.S., Kudinova, A.G. et al. Microbial Communities of Soils and Soil-like Bodies in Extreme Conditions of East Antarctica. Paleontol. J. 52, 1186–1195 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0031030118100143

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