Bacterial growth in cloud droplets

Media sampled/studied/modelled

Regions studied

Parameter groups measured/observed/modelled

Biological effects

Keywords

Updated 2003-07-21

It is well known that the atmosphere is a conveyor of microorganisms, and that bacteria can act as ice or cloud condensation nuclei, but clouds have not been considered as a site where organisms can live and reproduce. We could show that bacteria in cloud droplets collected at high altitudes are actively growing and reproducing at temperatures at or below 0°C. Since ~60% of the earth surface is covered by clouds, cloud water should be considered as a microbial habitat.

http://zoology.uibk.ac.at/limno/

Status: Completed
Project time span: 1997 - 1998
Data collection: 1997 - 1998
Data processing: 1998 - 2000
Data reporting: 2000 - 2002

Contact information

Contact person: B. Sattler
Address: University of Innsbruck Institute of Zoology and Limnology Technikerstrasse 25 6020 Innsbruck Austria
Phone: ++43-512-507-6124
Fax: ++43-512-507-2930
Email: ta.ca.kbiu@relttas.tigrib
Other project contacts: Roland Psenner, University of Innsbruck, Institute of Zoology and Limnology Hans Puxbaum, Vienna University of Technology, Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Getreidemarkt 9/151, 1060 Vienna, Austria

Parameters and Media

Parameter groups measured/observed/modelled

Biological effects

Media sampled/studied/modelled

Air/aerosol

Precipitation/snow

Additional information or further specification of types of data / information collected, species / tissues / organs sampled, etc.

bacteria

Geography

Regions studied: Biological effects; Biological effects

Data availability

References to key publications (or planned publications) and data reports: Sattler, B., Puxbaum, H., and Psenner, R. 2001. Bacterial growth in supercooled cloud droplets. Geophysical Research Letters 28(2):239-242 (published as highlight) Psenner, R., A. Wille, J. Priscu, M. Felip, D. Wagenbach, and B. Sattler. 2002. Low Temperature Environments and Biodiversity. Contribution to UNESCO-Extremophiles. Sattler B., H. Puxbaum, and R. Psenner. Bakterien der Lüfte. Vom Winde verweht. Biologie in unserer Zeit 32: 42-49, 2002. Titelstory Sattler, B., H. Puxbaum, A. Limbeck, and R. Psenner. Clouds as habitat and seeders of bacteria. The International Society For Optical Engineering. Proceedings. Instruments, Methods, and Missions for Astrobiology IV. SPIE 4495:211-222, 2002.

Samples/specimens archived in specimen banks?: No

Methods & Procedures

Procedures and methodology used for, e.g., sampling and sample storage, sample pretreatment, extraction and analysis, including which laboratories are involved, references to methods employed, etc.: sampling conducted by Vienna University of Technology cryotransport to University of Innsbruck main methods: epifluorescence microscopy radiochemical uptake of radioactive labelled tracers (3H-thymidine and 14C-leucine incorporation to measure bacterial activity)

Additional Information

Is this a bi- AND multi-lateral project (i.e. a project involving cooperation between different countries)?: No