Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Structural-functional characteristics of microbe cenoses in Antarctica. Investigations of microorganisms’ role in biochemical elements cycles.  

Outline
It is known that aims of major part of microbial researches in Antarctica are to find new strains of microorganisms or to isolate strains that are characterized with specific biochemical activity (mainly producents of biologically active substances). It is absent the structural and functional characteristic of Antarctic microbial cenosis with the help of methods of general and soil microbiology. During seasonal expedition in 2003 year on Antarctic island Galindes there was created biogeographical polygon that include unique diversity of landscapes such as glacier moss and lichens fields, soils, lakes etc. On the base of polygon with the help of GPS-methods it was created the map with positioned landscapes. Such geoinformational system allows to investigate structure and functional interactions of Antarctic biocenois – therial, bird, plant, viral and also microbial. It is also known, that the Antarctic microorganisms are resistant to extreme factors of an environment. During seasonal expedition on island Galindez there were selected samples and investigated on presence in them resistant to Cu2+ microorganisms. It has been shown that in all investigated samples there is a large number (104-108 CFU/g of sample) of microorganisms resistant to concentration range 5 – 100 ppm Cu2+ is present We assume, that resistance of microorganisms to Cu2+ is the natural phenomenon and is caused by high concentration Cu2+ in the Antarctic rocks (according to the rentgenic fluorescent analysis the contents of Cu2+ in the investigated samples is in range 13-172 ppm). Also, strains of yeast and bacteria resistant to Cu2+ concentration 1000 – 3000 ppm were isolated from Antarctic soil microbial cenosis. It has been shown, that selected strains may actively influence both soluble, and insoluble forms Cu2+. The reasons of high resistance to Cu2+ and mechanisms of interaction with different forms Cu2+ while are unknown and are a subject of our further researches. The aims of the project and methods of researches: - Studying of structure and functional interaction of Antarctic microbial cenosis of Galindes island. - Search and the characteristic microorganisms of different physiological groups (cycles of transformation of carbon, nitrogen, sulphur, phosphorus, iron, heavy metals such as Cu, Hg, Cd, Cr) – cultivation of Antarctic microbial associations on selective nutrient media to isolate microorganisms with special type of metabolism that are also can be resistant to heavy metals - Definition of bactericidal concentration of Cu2+ for Antarctic microbial cenosis (cultivation of Antarctic microbial associations on nutrient media that contain different concentrations of Cu2+); - Identification of strains bacteria and yeast resistant to high concentration of Cu2+ (identification both by biochemical criteria and PCR analysis) - Research of mechanisms of interaction strains with soluble and insoluble forms of Cu, Hg, Cd, Cr.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The project assumes reception of the new data on structure and functional interaction of Antarctic microbial cenosis, biodiversity of the Antarctic microorganisms which exist in extreme conditions, reception of new fundamental knowledge of interaction of microorganisms with metals, identification new strains resistant to high concentration heavy metals such as Cu, Hg, Cd, Cr which and are perspective for creation of microbial technologies of sewage purification from named heavy metals

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Cooperation with the international partners within the framework of the project assumes work with scientists who study a biodiversity and structure of Antarctic microbial cenosis

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The territory of island Galindez where Ukrainian Antarctic station Academic Vernadsky is situated. It is supposed getting samples of a different origin (soils, rocks, plants, ice etc.) and their exact positioning on district with the help of GPS methods.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: January/2007. – March/2007. (seasonal expedition)      January/2008. – March/2008. (seasonal expedition)      
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
All logistic support and facilities will be required by National polar operator. GPS methods can be used in other projects, it is also possible to share selected samples that are positioned on district (for example, for definition of the contents of chemical elements or other substances to look after dynamics of their amount during several years) Positioning of sampling points on district repeatedly enables to select tests with high accuracy through any time interval

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Biogeographical polygon on island Galindez samples positioned with high accuracy with the help of GPS methods Map of polygon which contains the data on occurrence and amount of microorganisms that provide cycles of transformation of carbon, nitrogen, sulphur, phosphorus, iron and heavy metals

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Consortium
Own national polar operator
National agency

Own national polar operator - National Antarctic Scientific Centre of Ministry of Science and Education of Ukraine National agency – Institute of Microbiology and Virology of National Academy of Science of Ukraine

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The project has acknowledgement at a national level - the project is included into the State program of researches of Ukraine in Antarctic Region 2004-2006 years :’Influence of extreme factors (heavy metals) on homeostasis geomicrobiocenoses of Antarctica' (project ? ?/3-2004 signed 2004, February the 3rd )

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?


Project is a component of existing activity - - the project is included into the State program of researches of Ukraine in Antarctic Region 2004-2006 years :’Influence of extreme factors (heavy metals) on homeostasis geomicrobiocenoses of Antarctica' (project ? ?/3-2004 signed 2004, February the 3rd )

How will the project be organised and managed?
Management of project will be carried out from side of National Antarctic Scientific Centre of Ministry of Science and Education of Ukraine in relation to Institute of Microbiology and Virology of National Academy of Science of Ukraine; management at the international level also is supposed on the part of IPY coordinators

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
It is supposed to come into the international contacts (the Chilean Antarctic institute) for teamwork on geomicrobiology and research of resistance of the Antarctic microorganisms to heavy metals

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The received data under the characteristic and positioning of the selected samples will be brought in uniform GIS-system of National Antarctic Scientific Centre; the further sending data to ?? ICSU World Data Centres, Joint Committee for Antarctic Data Management, WCRP is also possible

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Financing of the project will be carried out due to national funds, namely due to funds of the Ministry of Education and a science of Ukraine

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
Researches on the given theme have high practical and scientific value, realization of tasks of the project creates base for development of microbial highly effective technologies of sewage treatment from heavy metals

PROPOSER DETAILS

doctor of technical sciences Oleksandr Tashyrev
National Antarctic Scientific Centre of Ministry of Science and Education of Ukraine; Institute of Microbiology and Virology of National Academy of Science of Ukraine
ap.101, 1/12 Mate Zalky str. Kyiv, Ukraine
16 Tarasa Shevchenka Blvd, Kyiv, 01601, Ukraine 154 Zabolotnogo str., Kyiv, Ukraine

Ukraine

Tel: 8 (044) 2463880
Mobile: 80665272010; 80674644515
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