Permafrost microbiology

Numerous and various ecological and morphological groups of viable micro-organisms survive under permafrost conditions. They are the only known living organisms preserved over a geologically significant time. Their preservation within permafrost is of interest from both biological and geocryological points of view and forms the basis for a number of investigations in different scientific fields. The latter are performed not only upon morphological but also upon functional characteristics of viable cells. This approach is relevant to questions concerning the protective properties of unfrozen water and may provide new ways of solving major problems of historical geocryology. Of special interest is the interaction of both biological and geological knowledge to better understand the spatial and temporal limits of the biosphere.