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Physical, chemical and biological processes in Lake Vostok and other Antarctic subglacial lakes

Author

Listed:
  • Martin J. Siegert

    (Bristol Glaciology Centre, School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol)

  • J. Cynan Ellis-Evans

    (Freshwater Ecology Group, British Antarctic Survey, High Cross)

  • Martyn Tranter

    (Bristol Glaciology Centre, School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol)

  • Christoph Mayer

    (Institute for Meteorology and Geophysics, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52)

  • Jean-Robert Petit

    (Laboratoire de Glaciologie et Géophysique de l'Environnement, CNRS, BP96)

  • Andrey Salamatin

    (Kazan State University)

  • John C. Priscu

    (Land Resources and Environmental Sciences, Montana State University)

Abstract

Over 70 lakes have now been identified beneath the Antarctic ice sheet. Although water from none of the lakes has been sampled directly, analysis of lake ice frozen (accreted) to the underside of the ice sheet above Lake Vostok, the largest of these lakes, has allowed inferences to be made on lake water chemistry and has revealed small quantities of microbes. These findings suggest that Lake Vostok is an extreme, yet viable, environment for life. All subglacial lakes are subject to high pressure (∼350 atmospheres), low temperatures (about -3 °C) and permanent darkness. Any microbes present must therefore use chemical sources to power biological processes. Importantly, dissolved oxygen is available at least at the lake surface, from equilibration with air hydrates released from melting basal glacier ice. Microbes found in Lake Vostok's accreted ice are relatively modern, but the probability of ancient lake-floor sediments leads to a possibility of a very old biota at the base of subglacial lakes.

Suggested Citation

  • Martin J. Siegert & J. Cynan Ellis-Evans & Martyn Tranter & Christoph Mayer & Jean-Robert Petit & Andrey Salamatin & John C. Priscu, 2001. "Physical, chemical and biological processes in Lake Vostok and other Antarctic subglacial lakes," Nature, Nature, vol. 414(6864), pages 603-609, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:414:y:2001:i:6864:d:10.1038_414603a
    DOI: 10.1038/414603a
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