DIRECT MEASUREMENT & SAMPLING OF SUBGLACIAL LAKE ELLSWORTH: A multidisciplinary investigation of life in extreme environments & ice sheet history
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Bristol
Department Name: Geographical Sciences
Abstract
This project has two fundamental scientific aims: (1) to determine whether, and in what form, microbial life exists in Antarctic subglacial lakes, and (2) to determine the history of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. To meet these aims, we will undertake the direct measurement and sampling of water and sediment within Subglacial Lake Ellsworth in West Antarctica. For over a decade, scientists have regarded subglacial lakes to be extreme yet viable habitats for microbial life. Additionally, sedimentary palaeoenvironment records are thought to exist on the floors of subglacial lakes, which would provide critical insights into the glacial history of Antarctica. Of the >150 known subglacial lakes, Lake Ellsworth stands out as an ideal candidate for exploration. Through a NERC-AFI award, glaciologists have shown the lake, beneath 3 km of ice, to be 10 km long, 2-3 km wide and 160 m deep, confirming it as an ideal deep-water lake for exploration. The deployment of heavy equipment has been shown to be possible at this location, based on several deep-field reconnaissance studies. This project will build, test and deploy all the equipment necessary to complete the experiment in a clean and environmentally responsible manner. Samples will be analysed and split at laboratories in the field and at Rothera Station, and then distributed to laboratories across the UK. This project, which has been in a planning stage for four years, will be a benchmark exercise in the exploration of Antarctica, will make profound scientific discoveries regarding life in extreme environments and West Antarctic Ice Sheet history, and will be of genuine interest to the public and media.
Organisations
Publications
Mowlem M
(2016)
Probe technologies for clean sampling and measurement of subglacial lakes.
in Philosophical transactions. Series A, Mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences
Pearce DA
(2016)
Microbiology: lessons from a first attempt at Lake Ellsworth.
in Philosophical transactions. Series A, Mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences
Tranter M
(2014)
Treatise on Geochemistry
Tranter M
(2014)
Biogeochemistry: Microbes eat rock under ice.
in Nature
Hawkings JR
(2014)
Ice sheets as a significant source of highly reactive nanoparticulate iron to the oceans.
in Nature communications
Death R
(2014)
Antarctic ice sheet fertilises the Southern Ocean
in Biogeosciences
Hopwood M
(2014)
Glacial flours as a potential source of Fe(II) and Fe(III) to polar waters
in Biogeochemistry
Siegert M
(2012)
Clean access, measurement, and sampling of Ellsworth Subglacial Lake: A method for exploring deep Antarctic subglacial lake environments
in Reviews of Geophysics
Livingstone S
(2012)
Theoretical framework and diagnostic criteria for the identification of palaeo-subglacial lakes
in Quaternary Science Reviews
Stibal M
(2012)
Methanogenic potential of Arctic and Antarctic subglacial environments with contrasting organic carbon sources
in Global Change Biology
Description | We have discovered that sampling of Antarctic subglacial lakes in a sterile and chemically clean manner is possible. |
Exploitation Route | The international research community is already adopting the methodology we put into place to sample the subglacial lakes. |
Sectors | Education,Environment |