Subglacial Antarctic Lake Subglacial Antarctic Lake Environments (SALE)Environments (SALE)

aaProposal for Proposal for

aaSCAR Scientific Research ProgramSCAR Scientific Research Program

bybyThe Subglacial Antarctic Lake Exploration The Subglacial Antarctic Lake Exploration

Group of Specialists (SALEGOS)Group of Specialists (SALEGOS)

The Time is Now for SALEThe Time is Now for SALE

HistoryHistory Scientific ObjectivesScientific Objectives Technological FeasibilityTechnological Feasibility Ten Year TimelineTen Year Timeline International ParticipationInternational Participation SALE and SCAR’s MissionSALE and SCAR’s Mission SALE and the IPYSALE and the IPY

1955-57 SAE data indicates that lakes may exist under the ice sheet (formalized Kapitsa et al. 1996)

1961 - Russian pilots note unusually ice surface 1963-64 - SAE seismic data - first evidence of liquid

water lakes under the ice sheet1973-75 - Radio-echo sounding confirms a lake under

Vostok Station

The History of SALE – First DiscoveryThe History of SALE – First Discovery

1994 - International workshop in Cambridge, UK formalizes Vostok data

1994 - Discovery of L. Vostok first reported, SCAR, Rome1998 - “Lake Vostok: Scientific Objectives and

Technological Requirements: An International Workshop”, St. Petersburg;” Lake Vostok

Workshop: A Curiosity or a Focus for Interdisciplinary Study”, Washington D.C.

1999 - “Workshop on Subglacial Lakes”, Cambridge, UK

The History of SALE – Renewed InterestThe History of SALE – Renewed Interest

Vostok Core

2000 - SCAR forms Group of Specialists on Subglacial Lake Exploration (SALEGOS)

2001 – 1st meeting of SCAR SALEGOS in Bologna, Italy2001 - “Subglacial Lake and Deep Ice Exploration: Canadian Expertise and International Opportunities”, Ottawa, Canada; “Life in Ancient Ice Workshop”, Oregon, USA; “Subglacial Lakes: Biology and Decontamination Issues” SCAR, Amsterdam, Netherlands

2002 – 2nd and 3rd meeting of SALEGOS and NSF Fastdrill Workshop - LDEO, NY and Santa Cruz, CA USA

International PlanningInternational Planning

International PlanningInternational Planning

2003 - “NSF Workshop to Define a Technology Roadmap for the Exploration and Sampling of Lake Vostok”, Palo Alto, CA, USA; 4th and 5th meeting of SALEGOS - Chamonix, France; Bristol, England

2004 – 6th Meeting of SALEGOS - Bremen, Germany

SALE - Scientific ObjectivesSALE - Scientific Objectives

To understand the formation To understand the formation and evolution of subglacial and evolution of subglacial processes and processes and environments;environments;

To determine the origins, To determine the origins, evolution, and maintenance evolution, and maintenance of life in subglacial lake of life in subglacial lake environments; andenvironments; and

To understand the limnology To understand the limnology and paleoclimate history and paleoclimate history recorded in subglacial recorded in subglacial sediments.sediments.

..

Subglacial Lake Environments are Widespread Vostok-Dome C Region

• 1A – Vostok Borehole and Ice Core Studies

• 1B – The Study of Analogue Settings• 1C- Remote Sensing Surveys of

Subglacial Lakes• 1D – Modeling of Subglacial Lakes

and Systems

• 2A - In situ Lake Observations• 2B – “Down-Ice Hole” Studies

Scientific Objectives

CryobotCryobot

Modern Velocities from GPS Samples Modern Velocities from GPS Samples 16,000-20000 years old16,000-20000 years old

Phase 1 – Remote Studies – Accreted Ice, Modeling, and Remote Sensing

Phase 2 – Deployment of Remotely Operated In Situ Observatories

Vostok Station

McMurdoStation

179 metersGlacial ice

50nm

3556 metersAccretion ice

25nm

2749 metersGlacial ice

80nmVirus images courtesy

J. PriscuMontana State

University Artwork - NSF

Glacial ice

25nm

1557 meters

Life Under the Ice

• 3A - Survey and Inventory of Subglacial Lakes

Phase 4 – Studies of Subglacial Lake Processes and Histories

Scientific Objectives

Phase 3 - Subglacial Lakes as Systems

Hydrobot

Waterlock Waterlock assemblyassembly

Diverter/disconnect

Downpipe ( 10m long)

Cylindrical winch

Upper ball valve

Lower ball valve

Completion drill / Cryobot/ROV

Coiled Tubing Drill

Probe prototype designed to withstand crushing pressures and extreme temperatures

Cryobot - moves through ice by melting the Cryobot - moves through ice by melting the surface directly in front of itsurface directly in front of it

Operational and Technological FeasibilityCryobotCryobot

Hydrobot - self-propelled underwater vehicle that Hydrobot - self-propelled underwater vehicle that analyzes the chemical composition of the ice and wateranalyzes the chemical composition of the ice and water

HydrobotHydrobot

Timeframe Scientific Milestones Technological MilestonesShort (0-3 years)Pre-Lake Entry and Survey

Medium (3-6 years)Lake EntryObservatory Deployment

Long (6-9 years)Lake EntryCritical Sample RetrievalVery Long (9+ years)Lake EntryLong Core Retrieval

1. Identification of a lead nation or at a minimum, the formation of aninterim planning group charged with conducting a StrategicEnvironmental Assessment (SEA) of the entire program.2. Make funds and access to field logistics available to conductsurveys.3. Convene a meeting of experts to develop decontaminationstandards and develop methods to monitor cleanliness. Examinethe availability of funds to implement these developments.4. Make funds available to develop clean methodologies, cleanlinesstesting methods (verification), and development of theinfrastructure to handle and process samples in appropriately cleanconditions to control and minimize contamination of samples withforeign materials.5. Availability of funds to develop the next generation of assays anddetection methodologies for extremophiles.6. Convene a meeting of experts to assess the status of currenttechnologies and compatibility with subglacial lake environmentsand access restrictions and provide plans for adapting thetechnologies as needed. Target indicators would be a relativelysimple set of parameters currently measured on oceanographicmoorings and buoys - temperature, pressure, salinity(conductivity), particulates, fluorescence, nutrients, and dissolvedoxygen. Sediment penetrometer/shear vane and geothermal heatflow detectors should also be considered.7. Make accreted ice samples available and provide funds to performanalyses in support of biological and geochemical objectives.8. Availability of funds to support modeling of the subglacial lakesystem from local to regional spatial scales and recent togeological time scales.9. Convene a meeting of experts to develop a long term plan forpaleoclimate and geological studies of subglacial lakes.10. Make funds available for development and feasibility testing ofsensors and remote detect ion techniques for geochemistry andbiology. Target indicators particulates, nutrients (N, P), DOC,bioparticles, bioreactive redox couples, microbes, and dissolvedgases (CH4, CO2, H2S, N2O, Ar, O2).11. Convene a meeting of experts to develop rigorous sample handlingprotocols base on experiences form Cape Roberts and the OceanDrilling Project.12. Make funds available to develop methodologies to determine therates of critical biological processes.13. Convene a meeting of experts to develop a long term plan forsustained presence in the lake.14. Make funds available and field resources to implement thepaleoclimate and geological sampling and analysis programs.

1. Identification of a lead nation or at a minimum, the formation of aninterim planning group charged with conducting a StrategicEnvironmental Assessment (SEA) of the entire program.2. Convene a meeting of experts to develop decontaminationstandards and methods to monitor cleanliness. Identify potentialfunding sources to implement these developments.3. Convene a meeting of experts to evaluate existing ice drillingtechnologies, assess the need for adaptation to subglacial lakeenvironments and access restrictions, and develop a detailed needsanalysis to provide the ice drilling platform, technology andinfrastructure.4. Provide funds to develop the subglacial lake ice drilling platformand equipment infrastructure including testing in analogue settings,refining operating protocols including the implementation of cleanstandards.5. Convene a meeting of experts to assess the status of currenttechnologies and compatibility with subglacial lake environmentsand access restrictions and provide plans for adapting thetechnologies as needed. Target indicators would be a relativelysimple set of parameters currently measured on oceanographicmooring and buoys - temperature, pressure, salinity (conductivity),particulates, fluorescence, nutrients, and dissolved oxygen.6. Makes funds available to develop observatory concepts andproduce the equipment that will be deployed in the lakes.7. Convene a meeting of experts to develop a detailed and specificplan for accelerated lake entry.8. Make funds available to begin the field operations for drilling andlake entry (The Group recognizes that the internationalmanagement structure and plan must be in place to proceed withon the ground operations - these needs will be addressed inseparate deliberations).9. Convene a meeting of experts to develop a detailed assessment andimplementation plan for lake entry and sample retrieval10. Convene a meeting of experts to assess technologies and develop adetailed implementation plan for lake entry and long geologicalcore retrieval.11. Convene a meeting of experts to develop a long term plan forsustained presence in the lakes.12. Provide the funds and logistical support to implement the lakeentry and initial sample retrieval plan.13. Convene a meeting of experts to develop a decommissioning planfor the drill sites.14. Make funds available and field resources to implement the plan forlake entry and long core retrieval, processing and analysis.

SALE - Planning is Advanced.

14. Make funds available and field resources to implement the plan for lake entry and long core retrieval, processing and analysis.

14. Make funds available and field resources to implement thepaleoclimate and geological sampling and analysis programs.

0 2 4 6 8 10

Physiography

Biology

Geochemistry

Paleoclimate

Geology

Glaciology

Years

Subglacial Environments Exploration Timeline

Key MilestonesExistingTechnologies

Lake EntryObservatoryDeployment

Sample RetrievalWater/ShallowSedimentRetrieval

Sample RetrievalDeep Coring

+

International ParticipationInternational Participation

UNUNified ified IInternational nternational TTeam for eam for EExploration xploration and and DDiscoveryiscovery

(SALE- UNITED) (SALE- UNITED)J. C. Priscu, USA J. C. Priscu, USA

(limnology)(limnology)

M.C. Kennicutt, USAM.C. Kennicutt, USA

(geochemistry)(geochemistry)

S. Bulat, Russia S. Bulat, Russia

(molecular biology)(molecular biology)

J.C. Ellis-Evans, UK J.C. Ellis-Evans, UK

(limnology)(limnology)

Tabacco, Italy Tabacco, Italy

(glaciology)(glaciology)

R. Bell, USA R. Bell, USA

(geology)(geology)

R. Powell, USA R. Powell, USA

(sedimentology)(sedimentology)

V. Lukin, Russia V. Lukin, Russia

(glaciology)(glaciology)

J.R. Petit, France J.R. Petit, France

(glaciology)(glaciology)

H. Miller, Germany H. Miller, Germany

(glaciology)(glaciology)

M. Siegert, UKM. Siegert, UK(glaciology(glaciology))

Terms of Reference for SALETerms of Reference for SALE

•Guide the SRP’s activities and encourage and facilitate communication

•Advise SCAR on SALE related issues.

•Promote data access, sharing and synthesis.

• Be an advocate and voice • Promote and champion

environmental stewardship• Interact and coordinate

with other SCAR SRP’s• Provide a focus for

outreach• Develop common

protocols and standards of data collection and management

SALE and SCAR’s MissionSALE and SCAR’s Mission

International coordination with COSPAR International coordination with COSPAR and other bodiesand other bodies

Interdisciplinary in scopeInterdisciplinary in scope

Environmental stewardshipEnvironmental stewardship

Shared logistics through COMNAP

Encourage National Committees to form

Outreach

SALE and SCAR’s MissionSALE and SCAR’s Mission

Data managementData management – web site, portal to member – web site, portal to member programs, agreed data management protocols and programs, agreed data management protocols and standardsstandards

Outreach and Education-Outreach and Education- web site, workshops, web site, workshops, regular press releases, contact list for the press, regular press releases, contact list for the press, publicationspublications

Capacity BuildingCapacity Building – shared resources, modular – shared resources, modular approach allowing participation by all, workshops, approach allowing participation by all, workshops, seminars, team approachseminars, team approach

SCAR leadershipSCAR leadership

SALE in the IPYSALE in the IPY

Requires a concerted Requires a concerted international effortinternational effort

Environmental Environmental stewardship through stewardship through careful planningcareful planning

Major objectives are Major objectives are attainable in a few years attainable in a few years timetime

There is great public There is great public interest in SALEinterest in SALE