Abstrakt

Introduction: The aim of investigations was to state whether melting glaciers cause mass mortality of the sea stenohalyne organisms, what in consequence can lead to an increase of accumulation and growth of psychrophilic bacteria. It may be also that fresh melting water is unfavourable to the sea bacteria and front glacier's regions are not the areas of their intensive development. Methods: Field investigations were done in Admiralty Bay in King George Island, South Shetlands, Antarctica, during summer expedition December 2008 - March 2009 and December 2009 - March 20010. The eight stations, at various distances from the front of the glaciers were chosen. On each station samples have been taken from the eight different water depths. Physico-chemical and biological parameters: salinity, temperature, concentration of suspended mater, chlorophyll and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration were researched. Number, biomass, structure and live activity of bacteria (Live/Dead BacLight, Molecular Probes) were measured. Results: Field work results showed a strong variation of the water, depended on the distance of glacier head and water mass dynamic. It causes of variable environmental conditions, which may suggest existence of different transitory environments for microorganisms (ecotons). We expect to confirm earlier observations concerning of changes of the structure and the activity bacteria in the water. The received results suggest, that the accelerated melting the glaciers and resulting from this bigger inflow of fresh water into the fjord produce desired results of chnges of structure and live activity bacterioplankton in the surface layer of water. The project is continuation of earlier study provided in the Spitsbergen (Hornsund Fjord and Kongsfjord).

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