Distribution of microbial genes related to iron metabolism in a glacial influenced river and estuary environment

All living organisms require iron however in oxic environments iron is often a limiting nutrient. Glaciers are major sources of iron to downstream bodies of water in Arctic regions; however most of the iron does not make it to the ocean. Processes of coagulation and flocculation in estuaries remove iron. Microbial mechanisms for iron acquisition in a glacial influenced river and estuary are currently unknown in Alaska. The goal was to determine differences in iron related genes and associated taxonomy between fresh and saltwater environments of the Kenai River.