How Microbes Melt Glaciers and Ice Sheets

This course explores the role of microbes in melting glaciers and ice sheets, highlighting how these environments are teeming with life and play a crucial role in Earth's biogeochemical processes. The learning outcomes include understanding the biological and biogeochemical processes on glacier and ice sheet surfaces, the impact of microbial activity on snow/ice solar-heating and melt, and the implications for climate change. Students will learn about microbial communities, their interactions, and the adaptations that enable their survival in extreme conditions. The course covers topics such as pigmented ice algae, albedo reduction, carbon fixation, and the export of organic matter to downstream ecosystems. The teaching method involves presentations, microscopic views, experimental setups, single-cell analysis, and discussions on predicting biodiversity and mitigating algae growth. This course is intended for individuals interested in environmental science, climate change, microbiology, and biogeochemistry.