PERMAFROST MICROBIOLOGY

Numerous and various ecological and morphological groups of viable mic ro-organisms survive under permafrost conditions. They are the only kn own living organisms preserved over a geologically significant time. T heir preservation within permafrost is of interest from both biologica l and geocryological points of view and forms the basis for a number o f investigations in different scientific fields. The latter are perfor med not only upon morphological but also upon functional characteristi cs of viable cells. This approach is relevant to questions concerning the protective properties of unfrozen water and may provide new ways o f solving major problems of historical geocryology. Of special interes t is the interaction of both biological and geological knowledge to be tter understand the spatial and temporal limits of the biosphere.