How do microorganisms in polar regions respond to change and what does this teach us in the fight against global warming? For many years, this question has occupied biologist Bjorn Tytgat and the team he is a part of. On the icy plains and in the mountain ranges of the North and South Poles, our scientists conduct innovative experiments with bacteria, fungi and unicellular algae.
In short
- Belgium's Princess Elisabeth Station in Antarctica is a base for international scientists.
- One of the researchers that works there is biologist Bjorn Tytgat from Ghent University.
- Bjorn studies global warming in small organisms in one of the most vulnerable areas of our planet.
February 2025. Bjorn Tytgat has spent the last few weeks at the Princess Elisabeth Station (see box) on the South Pole. Unfortunately, a whiteout is keeping the scientist indoors at the moment. On the upside, this gives us a chance to snare him for an interview from Ghent. Teams connects us across a distance of 15,000 kilometres, at a local summer temperature of -10°C.
Hi Bjorn, what exactly are your researching in Antarctica?
“In our research, in addition to mapping the local biodiversity, we also simulate the effect of climate warming on microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and algae to determine the impact of changing circumstances, such as rising temperatures or shifting precipitation patterns. Why microorganisms? Because they form the foundation of all life on Earth and play a crucial role in the production and consumption of greenhouse gases, which drive climate warming.”
Why is the research taking place on the North and South Poles?
"The polar regions are among the most vulnerable areas on earth when it comes to climate change. For example, on the North Pole temperatures easily climb three to four times faster than elsewhere on the planet. This has far-reaching consequences: the permafrost – a permanently frozen soil layer – is starting to thaw at an alarming rate. This results in the activation of microorganisms in the soil that break down the organic material that has been accumulated for thousands of years, potentially releasing, among others, large quantities of CO2 and methane, further reinforcing global warming.
For biologists, polar regions also constitute a unique research environment. By identifying which microorganisms live there and how they respond to changes in temperature and water availability, for instance, we not only gain a deeper insight into the processes that are transforming our planet, but we also see that depending on the specific soil type and combination of factors, carbon is either released or stored.”
How do you conduct the experiments with the microorganisms?
“We set up mini greenhouses near the polar base. We can increase the temperature in these greenhouses by a few degrees to simulate the effects of global warming. We also place snow fences in strategic positions to measure the impact of changing snow coverage, which affects water availability and protection against the harsh elements. And we don’t stop there: we use the latest sequencing techniques to decode the DNA of microorganisms in order to better observe and understand how they respond to extreme circumstances.”
Your research is fundamental and is laying the groundwork for further research. Which aspects are unique?
“We implement a holistic approach to our research and that is pretty special. We study the microorganisms across multiple seasons and in both polar regions, both here in Antarctica and in Svalbard, in the high Arctic. I’ll be spending more time there this June. Our research shows a lot of promise: our approach makes us pioneers and we are contributing to new insights into the functioning of microorganisms in polar regions.”
What is it like to live and work at the Princess Elisabeth Station on the South Pole?
The Princess Elisabeth Station is a Belgian research station in Antarctica and the world’s first zero-emissions polar station. Taken into service in 2009, it is entirely powered by renewable energy sources such as wind and solar energy. The station acts a base of operations for international scientists conducting research into climate change, glaciology and microbiology.
Bjorn Tytgat (Laboratory of Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences): “As a scientist, you are working in a strictly organised environment, which is quite agreeable. Naturally you have to adjust to certain things, such as the limited shower time (laughs), but that is merely a detail. The most inspiring aspect is meeting scientists from across the globe who choose to bring their own research projects to this unique location.”
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