DIRECT MEASUREMENT & SAMPLING OF SUBGLACIAL LAKE ELLSWORTH: A multidisciplinary investigation of life in extreme environments & ice sheet history

直接测量

• 批准号: NE/G00322X/1
• 负责人: John Parnell
• 金额: $ 5.68万
• 依托单位: University of Aberdeen
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Research Grant
• 财政年份: 2009
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2009 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=NE%2FG00322X%2F1
• 关键词: DIRECT; MEASUREMENT; SAMPLING; SUBGLACIAL; LAKE

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.

该项目有两个基本科学目标：(1) 确定南极冰下湖泊中是否存在微生物生命以及以何种形式存在；(2) 确定南极西部冰盖的历史。为了实现这些目标，我们将对南极洲西部埃尔斯沃斯冰下湖内的水和沉积物进行直接测量和采样。十多年来，科学家一直认为冰下湖泊是微生物生命的极端但可行的栖息地。此外，沉积古环境记录被认为存在于冰下湖的底部，这将为了解南极洲的冰川历史提供重要的见解。在超过 150 个已知的冰下湖泊中，埃尔斯沃斯湖 (Lake Ellsworth) 脱颖而出，成为理想的探索候选地。通过 NERC-AFI 奖项，冰川学家显示该湖在 3 公里冰层以下，长 10 公里，宽 2-3 公里，深 160 米，证实它是一个理想的深水湖进行勘探。根据多项深场侦察研究，已证明可以在此位置部署重型装备。该项目将以清洁和对环境负责的方式建造、测试和部署完成实验所需的所有设备。样品将在现场实验室和罗瑟拉站进行分析和分离，然后分发到英国各地的实验室。该项目已筹划四年，将成为南极洲探索的标杆，将对极端环境下的生命和西南极冰盖历史产生深刻的科学发现，将引起公众和媒体的真正兴趣。

项目成果

Clean subglacial access: prospects for future deep hot-water drilling.

• DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2014.0304
• 发表时间: 2016-01-28
• 期刊: Philosophical transactions. Series A, Mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences
• 作者: Makinson K;Pearce D;Hodgson DA;Bentley MJ;Smith AM;Tranter M;Rose M;Ross N;Mowlem M;Parnell J;Siegert MJ
• 通讯作者: Siegert MJ

Probe technologies for clean sampling and measurement of subglacial lakes.

用于冰下湖泊清洁采样和测量的探针技术。

• DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2015.0267
• 发表时间: 2016
• 期刊: Philosophical transactions. Series A, Mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences
• 作者: Mowlem M

Physical and chemical controls on habitats for life in the deep subsurface beneath continents and ice.

• DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2014.0293
• 发表时间: 2016-01-28
• 期刊: Philosophical transactions. Series A, Mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences
• 作者: Parnell J;McMahon S
• 通讯作者: McMahon S