Comparative metagenomics of two shallow marine microbial communities in western Greenland

A comparative metagenomic analysis of two shallow marine microbial communities in western Greenland reveals significant differences in taxonomic and functional structures between the Ilulissat Icefjord and a typical open-water site in Baffin Bay. The study found limited overlap, with 25% of observed taxa and nearly half of functional genes differing between the sites. At Sisimiut, characterized by moderate temperatures and minimal glacial influence, chemolithotrophic bacteria dominate, while the Ilulissat Icefjord, marked by cold conditions and strong glacial input, hosts a less diverse community enriched in psychrophilic bacteria like Colwellia hornerae. Functional profiles indicate distinct metabolic adaptations, with Ilulissat's metagenome showing enrichment in genes related to ice-associated metabolisms, such as exopolysaccharide biosynthesis and dimethylsulfoniopropionate cycling. This study provides a baseline for future comparative research in the region.

Dick, D. G. (2026). Comparative metagenomics of two shallow marine microbial communities in western Greenland. Polar Research, 45. https://doi.org/10.33265/polar.v45.12710