Antarctic Lake Beneath the Ice Sheet Tested

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/01/130129121943.htm
January 29th, 2013

Scientists and engineers have drilled 800 meters into Antarctic ice to retrieve samples of a sub-glacial lake that has not been in contact with light and the atmosphere for many thousands of years. Scientists part of this project were able to obtain water and sediment samples of sub-glacial Lake Whillans with the use of a hot-water drill. It was essential that the drill was kept immaculately clean so that samples were not contaminated.

One may ask how this will help. The samples can be observed for microscopic organism. These organisms have been exposed to extremely cold temperatures as well as complete darkness for several thousands of years. It will be interesting to see how these organisms have evolved in order to adapt to such harsh conditions. Scientists also believe that these findings will help us understand how life may exist in similar conditions on other planets within our solar system.

Only recently, thanks to new technologies such as satellite and other mapping technologies, have we found out about an intricate system of sub-glacial rivers and lakes. In some areas the ice sheets separating the rivers and our atmosphere is almost two miles thick. The lakes can be incredibly large. The largest one, Vostok Subglacial Lake, is almost equivalent in size to Lake Ontario.

The entire project required over a decade of international planning as well as over three years of preparation. The researchers announced on January 28 that the mission was a success. The project was intended to help scientists learn more about these lakes in an attempt to protect them from contamination. As of now, the samples are being shipped off to various laboratories for chemical and biological analyses.

I found this article interesting because it ties in directly with the topic that we are discussing in class: evolution. These findings show how life can possibly adapt to extreme situations. It is incredible that these lakes and rivers have been preserved for thousands of years and it will be interesting to see how these microorganisms have evolved. It can also help us understand life on other planets such as Mars, which is currently being investigated.