Deep groundwater and potential subsurface habitats beneath an Antarctic dry valley

The occurrence of groundwater in Antarctica, particularly in the ice-free regions and along the coastal margins is poorly understood. Here we use an airborne transient electromagnetic (AEM) sensor to produce extensive imagery of resistivity beneath Taylor Valley. Regional-scale zones of low subsurfa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature Communications
Main Authors: Mikucki, J. A., Auken, E., Tulaczyk, S., Virginia, R. A., Schamper, C., Sørensen, K. I., Doran, P. T., Dugan, H., Foley, N.
Format: Text
Language:unknown
Published: LSU Scholarly Repository 2015
Subjects:
Antarc*
Antarctic
Antarctica
Ice
permafrost
Taylor Glacier
Online Access:https://repository.lsu.edu/geo_pubs/608
https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms7831
https://repository.lsu.edu/context/geo_pubs/article/1607/viewcontent/608.pdf
Description
Summary:The occurrence of groundwater in Antarctica, particularly in the ice-free regions and along the coastal margins is poorly understood. Here we use an airborne transient electromagnetic (AEM) sensor to produce extensive imagery of resistivity beneath Taylor Valley. Regional-scale zones of low subsurface resistivity were detected that are inconsistent with the high resistivity of glacier ice or dry permafrost in this region. We interpret these results as an indication that liquid, with sufficiently high solute content, exists at temperatures well below freezing and considered within the range suitable for microbial life. These inferred brines are widespread within permafrost and extend below glaciers and lakes. One system emanates from below Taylor Glacier into Lake Bonney and a second system connects the ocean with the eastern 18km of the valley. A connection between these two basins was not detected to the depth limitation of the AEM survey (∼350m).

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