Collection of samples.The environmental sample, collected in December 2000
at Cape Evans on Ross Island, Antarctica, consisted of moist soil, volcanic in
nature, 100 m from Scott’s hut. This location is a seasonally cold environment,
and the temperature and pH measured in situ were 5°C and pH 9, respectively.
The samples, originally frozen, were kept at temperatures below 5°C during
transport to England. They were then stored at 20°C