Exploring Subglacial Antarctic Lake Environments

• Published in: Eos, Transactions American Geophysical Union
• Main Authors: Priscu, J. C., Kennicut, M. C., Bell, R. E., Bulat, S. A., Evans Ellis, J. C., Lukin, V. V., Petit, Jean-Robert, Powell, R.D., Siegert, M. J., Tabacco, I.
• Other Authors: Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences, Montana State University (MSU), Office of Vice President for Research, Texas A&M University College Station, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO), Columbia University New York, Division of Molecular and Radiation Biophysics, Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute, British Antarctic Survey (BAS), Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (AARI), Russian Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring (Roshydromet), Laboratoire de glaciologie et géophysique de l'environnement (LGGE), Observatoire des Sciences de l'Univers de Grenoble (OSUG), Université Joseph Fourier - Grenoble 1 (UJF)-Institut polytechnique de Grenoble - Grenoble Institute of Technology (Grenoble INP )-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Institut national de recherche en sciences et technologies pour l'environnement et l'agriculture (IRSTEA)-Université Savoie Mont Blanc (USMB Université de Savoie Université de Chambéry )-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université Joseph Fourier - Grenoble 1 (UJF)-Institut polytechnique de Grenoble - Grenoble Institute of Technology (Grenoble INP )-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Institut national de recherche en sciences et technologies pour l'environnement et l'agriculture (IRSTEA)-Université Savoie Mont Blanc (USMB Université de Savoie Université de Chambéry )-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Northern Illinois University, Bristol Glaciology Centre, School of Geographical Sciences, DST-Geofica
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: HAL CCSD 2005
• Subjects: [SDU.STU.GL]Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Earth Sciences/Glaciology; Antarc*; Antarctic; Ice Sheet
• Online Access: https://insu.hal.science/insu-00374884; https://insu.hal.science/insu-00374884/document; https://insu.hal.science/insu-00374884/file/2005EO200001.pdf; https://doi.org/10.1029/2005EO200001

International audience While subglacial lakes have been suspected, and speculated about, for more than 50 years, recent analyses of historical and new data have shown that liquid water environments are common beneath the vast Antarctic Ice Sheet. Airborne radar surveys have now documented more than 145 subglacial lakes, the largest being Lake Vostok located 4 km beneath the vast East Antarctic Ice Sheet (Figure 1). The public and scientists alike have been intrigued by the possibility that these environments harbor life in conditions not previously studied on our planet. Planning for the exploration and study of these unique environments has focused international attention on the challenges presented by the way science is conducted in such settings while providing for environmental protection and stewardship. Exploration of subglacial environments will require careful and detailed planning, adoption of environmental protocols, and international cooperation.