The Deepwater Horizon accident and subsequent oil spill released between 3.2 and 6.2 million barrels (509-986 million litres) of oil. Following capping of the well site, a series of cruises was undertaken from September through October 2010 to determine if oil had reached the bottom and if sediment ...

This chapter focuses on the intracellular mechanisms underlying the synthesis of nanostructured coccoliths. Specifically, the chapter discusses the following topics: excursus into carbonate chemistry; excursus into the cellular constitution of coccolithophores; providing calcium and inorganic...

This chapter describes the trophic structure and seasonal patterns of primary productivity in Arctic and Antarctic lakes, as well as in alpine and subalpine lakes. Further, the chapter discusses the following topics: secondary production of bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and invertebrates; and...

This chapter describes the geographic range, history and distribution of subglacial lakes. The extreme characteristics as well as the predicted diversity and community composition of life in subglacial lakes are discussed. Further, a number of existing studies in subglacial lakes along with the...

This chapter focuses on soda lakes and deserts, which are the major types of naturally occurring alkaline environments. The chapter explores the diversity, community composition and biochemical groups of alkaliphiles in soda lakes; describes the mechanisms of adaptation of organisms to high...

This chapter describes hypersaline environments and the diversity of life living in them. It explores the factors influencing diversity, community composition and distribution of halophilic microorganisms, as well as their mechanisms of adaptation to high salinity. The chapter also discusses the...

This chapter describes hypoxic environments and the diversity of life living in them. Hypoxic environments are mostly found at high altitude, in underground burrows and in some localized aquatic environments (fresh and marine water). The chapter also discusses hypoxia in a changing world and...

This chapter deals with the effects of solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation on organisms in terrestrial and aquatic habitats. It presents an overview of the main processes leading to UV radiation reaching ecosystems, the broad effects of UV radiation on microorganisms, plants and animals in terrestrial ...

This chapter explores the effects of climate change on extreme species, communities, habitats and ecosystems. It presents two examples indicating that climate change can have large and unpredictable effects on cold environments. The examples given in the chapter are: the effects of Holocene climate ...

This chapter revolves around different types of potential anthropogenic extremes, driven by chemical or physical processes. The chapter explores these extremes along with the life that can persist within them. These extremes may occur in aquatic or terrestrial ecosystems, including: chemical...