Concern over discovery of unknown bacteria in Tibet glaciers

Unpublished

As the researchers point out, ice sheets and glaciers cover about 10% of the Earth’s surface and also serve as the largest reservoir of fresh water. Previous research has shown that, under the influence of climate change, ice sheets and glaciers have been melting.

In this new effort, the researchers explored whether bacteria species in snow and ice could reach other regions as melting occurs. To find out, they collected snow and ice samples from 21 glaciers in Tibet during the years 2010 to 2016. Each one melted and was then analyzed to see what was left in the water.

In doing so, the researchers found 968 unique species of bacteria, 98% of which had never been seen before. The findings come on the heels of a study by another team that recently found several viruses in the ice that were 15,000 years old, most of which had never been seen before.

Concern about its impact

The problem with such bacteria and viruses is that they could be infectious to animals and humans. As snow and ice melt, they could travel with the water into rivers and streams and into populated areas.

And perhaps an even bigger problem could be that modern plants and animals, including humans, lack immunity to older microbes, suggesting they could be deadly and difficult to treat. Therefore, they present the possibility of initiating local epidemics and possibly pandemics.