Exploration of Antarctic Subglacial Aquatic Environments: Environmental and Scientific Stewardship

National Research Council

doi:10.17226/11886

Consensus Study Report

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Exploration of Antarctic Subglacial Aquatic Environments

Environmental and Scientific Stewardship

(2007)

Antarctica is renowned for its extreme cold; yet surprisingly, radar measurements have revealed a vast network of lakes, rivers, and streams several kilometers beneath the Antarctic ice sheet. Sealed from Earth's atmosphere for millions of years, they may provide vital information about microbial evolution, the past climate of the Antarctic, and the formation of ice sheets, among other things. The next stage of exploration requires direct sampling of these aquatic systems. However, if sampling is not done cautiously, the environmental integrity and scientific value of these environments could be compromised. At the request of the National Science Foundation, this National Research Council assesses what is needed to responsibly explore subglacial lakes. Exploration of Antarctic Subglacial Aquatic Environments concludes that it is time for research on subglacial lakes to begin, and this research should be guided by internationally agreed upon protocols. The book suggests an initial protocol, which includes full characterization of the lakes by remote sensing, and minimum standards for biological and other types of contamination.

Contributor(s): National Research Council; Division on Earth and Life Studies; Polar Research Board; Committee on Principles of Environmental Stewardship for the Exploration and Study of Subglacial Environments

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Suggested Citation

National Research Council. 2007. Exploration of Antarctic Subglacial Aquatic Environments: Environmental and Scientific Stewardship. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/11886.

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Publication Info

162 pages | 7 x 10 |

ISBNs:

Paperback: 978-0-309-10635-1
Ebook: 978-0-309-17924-9

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17226/11886

Chapters		skim
Front Matter	i-x
Summary	1-10
1 Introduction	11-31
2 Geological and Geophysical Setting	32-61
3 Subglacial Environments: Biological Features	62-80
4 Drilling and Sampling Technologies and the Potential for Contamination	81-103
5 Antarctic Governance and Implications for Exploration of Subglacial Aquatic Environments	104-113
6 Findings and Recommendations	114-128
References	129-140
A Statement of Task	141-144
B Biographical Sketches of Committee Members	145-149
C List of Acronyms	150-152

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