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Single-cell imaging reveals efficient nutrient uptake and growth of microalgae darkening the Greenland Ice Sheet

Author

Listed:
  • Laura Halbach

    (Aarhus University
    Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology)

  • Katharina Kitzinger

    (Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology
    University of Vienna)

  • Martin Hansen

    (Aarhus University
    Technical University of Denmark)

  • Sten Littmann

    (Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology)

  • Liane G. Benning

    (GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences
    Freie Universität Berlin)

  • James A. Bradley

    (Aix Marseille Université, Université de Toulon, CNRS, IRD, MIO
    Queen Mary University of London)

  • Martin J. Whitehouse

    (Swedish Museum of Natural History)

  • Malin Olofsson

    (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences)

  • Rey Mourot

    (GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences
    Freie Universität Berlin
    Aix Marseille Université, Université de Toulon, CNRS, IRD, MIO)

  • Martyn Tranter

    (Aarhus University)

  • Marcel M. M. Kuypers

    (Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology)

  • Lea Ellegaard-Jensen

    (Aarhus University)

  • Alexandre M. Anesio

    (Aarhus University)

Abstract

Blooms of dark pigmented microalgae accelerate glacier and ice sheet melting by reducing the surface albedo. However, the role of nutrient availability in regulating algal growth on the ice remains poorly understood. Here, we investigate glacier ice algae on the Greenland Ice Sheet, providing single-cell measurements of carbon:nitrogen:phosphorus (C:N:P) ratios and assimilation rates of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), ammonium and nitrate following nutrient amendments. The single-cell analyses reveal high C:N and C:P atomic ratios in algal biomass as well as intracellular P storage. DIC assimilation rates are not enhanced by ammonium, nitrate, or phosphate addition. Our combined results demonstrate that glacier ice algae can optimise nutrient uptake, facilitating the potential colonization of newly exposed bare ice surfaces without the need for additional nutrient inputs. This adaptive strategy is particularly important given accelerated climate warming and the expansion of melt areas on the Greenland Ice Sheet.

Suggested Citation

  • Laura Halbach & Katharina Kitzinger & Martin Hansen & Sten Littmann & Liane G. Benning & James A. Bradley & Martin J. Whitehouse & Malin Olofsson & Rey Mourot & Martyn Tranter & Marcel M. M. Kuypers &, 2025. "Single-cell imaging reveals efficient nutrient uptake and growth of microalgae darkening the Greenland Ice Sheet," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-56664-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56664-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jenine McCutcheon & Stefanie Lutz & Christopher Williamson & Joseph M. Cook & Andrew J. Tedstone & Aubry Vanderstraeten & Sasha Wilson & Anthony Stockdale & Steeve Bonneville & Alexandre M. Anesio & M, 2021. "Mineral phosphorus drives glacier algal blooms on the Greenland Ice Sheet," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Guy Alexander Cooper & Ming Liu & Jorge Peña & Stuart Andrew West, 2022. "The evolution of mechanisms to produce phenotypic heterogeneity in microorganisms," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-13, December.
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