Extracellular polymeric substances in Antarctic environments: A review of their ecological roles and impact on glacier biogeochemical cycles

Antarctic continent comprises diverse ecosystems like snow, glacier ice, sea ice, melt pools, glacial soils, supraglacial and subglacial lakes that accommodate numerous microbial and algal communities. These biotic groups secrete matrices of biomacromolecules called Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPSs), which enhance their ability to withstand extreme environmental conditions. EPSs are mainly composed of exopolysaccharides, proteins, lipids...