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Detection and community-level identification of microbial mats in the McMurdo Dry Valleys using drone-based hyperspectral reflectance imaging

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 May 2020

Joseph Levy Open the ORCID record for Joseph Levy [Opens in a new window] ,
S. Craig Cary Open the ORCID record for S. Craig Cary [Opens in a new window] ,
Kurt Joy Open the ORCID record for Kurt Joy [Opens in a new window]  and
Charles K. Lee Open the ORCID record for Charles K. Lee [Opens in a new window]
Joseph Levy*
Affiliation:
Colgate University, Department of Geology, Hamilton, NY13346, USA
S. Craig Cary
Affiliation:
International Centre for Terrestrial Antarctic Research, University of Waikato, Hamilton3240, New Zealand
Kurt Joy
Affiliation:
International Centre for Terrestrial Antarctic Research, University of Waikato, Hamilton3240, New Zealand
Charles K. Lee
Affiliation:
International Centre for Terrestrial Antarctic Research, University of Waikato, Hamilton3240, New Zealand
*
jlevy@colgate.edu
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Abstract

The reflectance spectroscopic characteristics of cyanobacteria-dominated microbial mats in the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDVs) were measured using a hyperspectral point spectrometer aboard an unmanned aerial system (remotely piloted aircraft system, unmanned aerial vehicle or drone) to determine whether mat presence, type and activity could be mapped at a spatial scale sufficient to characterize inter-annual change. Mats near Howard Glacier and Canada Glacier (ASPA 131) were mapped and mat samples were collected for DNA-based microbiome analysis. Although a broadband spectral parameter (a partial normalized difference vegetation index) identified mats, it missed mats in comparatively deep (> 10 cm) water or on bouldery surfaces where mats occupied fringing moats. A hyperspectral parameter (B6) did not have these shortcomings and recorded a larger dynamic range at both sites. When linked with colour orthomosaic data, B6 band strength is shown to be capable of characterizing the presence, type and activity of cyanobacteria-dominated mats in and around MDV streams. 16S rRNA gene polymerase chain reaction amplicon sequencing analysis of the mat samples revealed that dominant cyanobacterial taxa differed between spectrally distinguishable mats, indicating that spectral differences reflect underlying biological distinctiveness. Combined rapid-repeat hyperspectral measurements can be applied in order to monitor the distribution and activity of sentinel microbial ecosystems across the terrestrial Antarctic.

Keywords

NostocPhormidiumremote sensingspectroscopy
Type
Biological Sciences
Information
Antarctic Science , Volume 32 , Issue 5 , October 2020 , pp. 367 - 381
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Copyright
Copyright © Antarctic Science Ltd 2020

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