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Continuous Nanoclimate Data (1985-1988) from the Ross Desert (McMurdo Dry Valleys) Cryptoendolithic Microbial EcosystemWe have collected year-round nanoclimate data for the cryptoendolithic microbial habitat in sandstones of the Ross desert, Antarctica, obtained with an Argos satellite data system. Data for two sites in the McMurdo Dry Valleys are available: Linnaeus Terrace, January 1985 to June 1988, and Battleship Promontory, 1986-1987. The focus of this research is ecological, and hence year-round environmental data have been obtained for the ambient environment as well as for conditions within the rock. Using data from the summer, we compare the conditions inside the rock to the outside weather. This demonstrates how the rock provides a shelter for the endolithic microbial community. The most important property of the rock is that it absorbs the summer sunlight, thereby warming up to temperatures above freezing. This warming allows snowmelt to seep into the rock, and the moisture level in the rocks can remain high for weeks against loss to the dry environment.
Document ID
19970021304
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Book Chapter
External Source(s)
Authors
McKay, Christopher P.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Nienow, James
(Florida State Univ. Tallahassee, FL United States)
Meyer, Michael A.
(Florida State Univ. Tallahassee, FL United States)
Friedmann, E. Imre
(Florida State Univ. Tallahassee, FL United States)
Date Acquired
August 17, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1993
Publication Information
Publication: Antarctic Meteorology and Climatology: Studies Based on Automatic Weather Stations
Publisher: American Geophysical Union
Volume: 61
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Report/Patent Number
NAS 1.26:204249
NASA-CR-204249
Accession Number
97N72041
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NsG7-337
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF DPP83-14180
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF DPP80-17581
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGw-1971
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
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