By this point, though, you are not surprised to learn that certain kinds of bacteria seem to love it in Antarctica's dry valleys. Dry can also be a problem due to dehydration of cells.

http://www.exploratorium.edu/origins/antarctica/fieldnotes/antarctictastes.html

This lump of stuff is a clump of cyanobacteria. "The brown coloration was pigment to protect it against ultraviolet light ... [it makes] antifreeze to give it some protection against freezing and also released toxins into the lake water."

This stuff is from the shores of Lake Chad in Taylor Dry Valley in Antarctica. Funny story from the above link as to why it is called Lake Chad.

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