Isolation of thermophilic bacteria from Mt Erebus fumeroles and soil samples

Warm soil (>60°C) was sampled for microbes from Tramway Ridge SSS1, Mt Erebus. Fumeroles were visited and sampled for microbes. In situ studies with a view to isolate novel extremely thermophilic bacteria and increase our knowledge of the microbial flora at the Erebus crater site were conducted in the 86-87 season. This work resulted in the isolation of a novel protease from an Antarctic thermophile. Samples were again taken in the 96-97 season with the aim to isolate more microbes that produce protein degrading enzymes (protease). Soil samples were collected from geothermally heated soil (40-65°C) at Tramway Ridge near the summit of Mt Erebus and also from the hot water system of Scott Base and McMurdo. Samples were incubated on media designed to select for organisms that produce protein-degrading enzymes and isolates were studied.