This afternoon we went for a walk on the Lake Fryxell. The ice is incredible clear in the moat regions, and one can find everywhere cyanobacterial mats frozen into the ice. These cyanobacterial mats were originally from the bottom of the lake, and are called lift-off mats. Microbial mats often drift to the top of the water when they are pushed upwards through the formation of gas bubbles. Although mats are now frozen, it is very likely that many of the cyanobacteria in the mats are still viable.
Lake Fryxell with Canada Glacier in the background
Dried cyanobacterial mats in the ice
