Russian team prepares to penetrate Lake Vostok

wired ^ | 07 January 11 | Duncan Geere

[BenLurkin]

Lake Vostok, which has been sealed off from the world for 14 million years, is about to be penetrated by a Russian drill bit.

The lake, which lies four kilometres below the icy surface of Antarctica, is unique in that it's been completely isolated from the other 150 subglacial lakes on the continent for such a long time. It's also oligotropic, meaning that it's supersaturated with oxygen -- levels of the element are 50 times higher than those found in most typical freshwater lakes.

Since 1990, the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute in St Petersberg in Russia has been drilling through the ice to reach the lake, but fears of contamination of the ecosystem in the lake have stopped the process multiple times, most notably in 1998 when the drills were turned off for almost eight years.

When the sample can be recovered, however, it's hoped that it'll shed light on extremophiles -- lifeforms that survive in extreme environments. Life in Lake Vostok would need adaptions to the oxygen-rich environment, which could include high concentrations of protective enzymes. The conditions in Lake Vostok are very similar to the conditions on Europa and Enceladus, so could also strengthen the case for extraterrestrial life.

[MarineBrat]

If it has never been penetrated then why do they sound so sure of the oxygen concentration?

[SubMareener]

There is a Clive Cussler novel in there somewhere! ;-) It begins 14 Million years ago in an alien outpost in tropical Antarctica. The deadly pathogens are contained and the aliens plunge the planet into an ice age to seal them for ever. But...

[Eye of Unk]

I read that book some years ago, I’ll have to dig it out.

I bet they find something interesting, very interesting.

[martin_fierro]

TTIUWP

[martin_fierro]

[BenLurkin]

Thank you, sir.

[JoeProBono]

[The Comedian]

Gorgeous.

Frowning takes 68 muscles.
Smiling takes 6.
Pulling this trigger takes 2.
I'm lazy.

[Constitution Day]

That is priceless. LOL!

[rfreedom4u]

Maybe they think there is oil under there and this is an excuse to drill?

[JRios1968]

I bet they find Barry’s birth certificate

[SunkenCiv]

Extremophiles ping! Thanks martin_fierro.

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[SunkenCiv]

Extremophiles ping! Thanks martin_fierro.

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[SunkenCiv]

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[wendy1946]

There is what they call a ‘magnetic anomaly’ on one end of that lake i.e. something which pegs aircraft magnetometers. The thing which normally does that is a city. That is, a modern city made of concrete and steel...

[Lurker]

For later

[Lurker]

Or a large alien spacecraft:

L

[spyone]

A secret Nazi base~!

[Eaker]

The conditions in Lake Vostok are very similar to the conditions on Europa and Enceladus

Really? I'd like to see the core samples proving it.