title: Cryoconite holes on glaciers.
abstract: Cryoconite holes are water-filled depressions on the surface of glaciers.  They contain microbial communities and may contribute to glacial wastage and biological colonization of ice-free areas.
authors.affiliation: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Wharton
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: McKay
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Simmons
authors.forename: B C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Parker
mesh_terms: D000864:Antarctic Regions; D003081:Cold Climate; D017753:Ecosystem; D004783:Environmental Microbiology; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000502:physiology*; D019015:Geologic Sediments; D006358:Hot Temperature; D007053:Ice
chemical_list: D007053:Ice