Geomicrobiology Network Seminar Series: What Lies Beneath – Past and Present Research Into Subglacial Biogeochemistry

Event Type: Webinars and Virtual Events

When: 3 December 2020

Where: Online: 3:00-4:00 am AKST, 7:00-8:00 am EST, 12:00-1:00 pm GMT

Summary

Speaker:
John Telling, Newcastle University, United Kingdom

Abstract:

John Telling will give an overview of his past and present research into life and biogeochemical cycling beneath glaciers and ice sheets. He will start with his first research trips to glaciers and ice sheets over a decade ago, investigating if and how subglacial microorganisms can recycle glacially overridden soil carbon to methane, while learning first-hand the logistics required and potential dangers involved in polar and glacier fieldwork. He will talk about his current research into how the crushing of minerals under glaciers can split water and produce hydrogen and oxidants that could help support subglacial life and fuel biogeochemical cycling, and end with plans for a UK-Chile mission to drill down into and study a newly discovered subglacial lake in Antarctica, with links to an upcoming European Space Agency mission to explore Jupiter’s icy moons.

You can join this seminar for free by registering at the link above. A recording of the live session will be made available afterwards on the same website.