Quarmby, Lynne (Simon Fraser University)

Purpose

An untapped gold mine of fascinating cell biology is growing on the surfaces of alpine snowfields. Cold-loving unicellular algae colonize the snow and support a rich microscopic community that blooms during the melt season. The green algae produce a protective red pigment, turning the snow green, orange or red. Because it reflects less solar radiation than white snow, coloured snow causes an increase in local temperature, more melting and more algal growth. As the extent and seasonal duration of snow and ice diminishes with global warming, there are indications of algal blooms on an increasing fraction of remaining snowfields. We know little about these algal-based communities that thrive in an extreme environment dramatically impacted by climate change and possibly amplifying global warming.