Image 3 Cyanobacteria (IMAGE)

Taylor & Francis Group

Image 3 Cyanobacteria

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3) Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) dominated microbial mat communities cover the floor of meltwater pond on the McMurdo Ice Shelf, Antarctica. The ponds have liquid water in summer and freeze to the bottom in winter. The environmental conditions are extreme and only microbial life can thrive in these unique Antarctic ecosystems. Cyanobacteria dominated microbial mat communities have many adaptation mechanisms such as the production of orange pigments that are UV screens.

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Taylor & Francis

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