Antartic Extremophiles: Can They Survive Global Warming? | SLICE SCIENCE
In cold environments, micro-organisms rule. They form the basis of a fragile ecosystem threatened by global warming. Scientists are studying how these species manage to survive in environments as unstable and ephemeral as snow and ice.
In the Antarctic, micro-algae thrive even below the pack ice. Along with plankton, they are the favourite menu item for krill. These tiny prawns that have no fear of icy water are the key to the entire Antarctic food chain. They represent a colossal energy source for the predators of the southern waters, from the penguin to the whale, not forgetting the icefish. The icefish is truly an extremophile. Its blood has become transparent and oxygen is directly filtered by its enormous gills. It also produces proteins that have an anti-freeze effect.
All these organisms and ecosystems are fragile. We know today that an average temperature increase of one degree for the entire planet corresponds to an increase of two degrees at the poles. Organisms adapted to the cold will certainly be the first on the planet to suffer heavily from the effects of the current climate changes.
Documentary: Life In Hell EP3: Survivors of Cold
Directed by: Thierry Berrod & Vincent Amouroux
Production: Mona Lisa Production & ARTE
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