biostudies-literaturePeoples LMU.S. Geological SurveyNational Science Foundationfiaf060https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12199700biostudies-literatureUnknown101(7)Glaciers are retreating, altering alpine ecosystems and creating new proglacial lakes. Compared to lakes fed by snowpack, glacial lakes are often enriched in nutrients and suspended solids that decrease light penetration. However, the microorganisms and biogeochemical conditions within these newly formed lakes are not well characterized. We describe the microbial communities in 14 glacial lakes in Glacier National Park, MT, USA using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and measurements of nutrient concentrations, water clarity, and other environmental properties. Microbial communities were distinct between lakes, including those connected to the same glacier, indicating the importance of site-specific biogeochemical and physical dynamics on these systems. Microbial community composition corrFEMS microbiology ecologyMicrobial communities in glacial lakes of Glacier National Park, MT, USA.PMC121997001951002Church MJPeoples LMElser JJRanieri JMVanderwall JWVick-Majors TJGiersch JJTappenbeck THfalseMicrobial communities in glacial lakes of Glacier National Park, MT, USA.Glaciers are retreating, altering alpine ecosystems and creating new proglacial lakes. Compared to lakes fed by snowpack, glacial lakes are often enriched in nutrients and suspended solids that decrease light penetration. However, the microorganisms and biogeochemical conditions within these newly formed lakes are not well characterized. We describe the microbial communities in 14 glacial lakes in Glacier National Park, MT, USA using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and measurements of nutrient concentrations, water clarity, and other environmental properties. Microbial communities were distinct between lakes, including those connected to the same glacier, indicating the importance of site-specific biogeochemical and physical dynamics on these systems. Microbial community composition corr2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Jun2026-04-08T19:07:39.47Z2026-04-08T12:00:49.975ZS-EPMC121997004047170810.1093/femsec/fiaf060