Studies on the anaerobic sediments and underlying cyanobacterial mats from the McMurdo Ice Shelf

The role of the anaerobic sediments underlying the cyanobacterial mats was investigated. Sediment samples were collected from several ponds to determine in situ rates of methanogenesis, methane oxidation and ammonium turnover.

Sub-samples were used to determine sulfate reduction. All experiments were carried out in triplicates with initial samples preserved and used for analysis. In the laboratory, sediment from six ponds were subjected to experiments to compare rates of sulphate reduction with methanogenesis.