Exploration of antarctic subglacial aquatic environments : environmental and scientific stewardship / Committee on Principles of Environmental Stewardship for the Exploration and Study of Subglacial Environments, Polar Research Board, Division of Earth and Life Studies, National Research Council of the National Academies.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

National Research Council (U.S.). Committee on Principles of Environmental Stewardship for the Exploration and Study of Subglacial Environments.

Contributor:

National Research Council (U.S.). Polar Research Board.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Oceanography--Research--Antarctica.

Oceanography.

Subglacial lakes--Antarctica--Discovery and exploration.

Subglacial lakes.

Subglacial lakes--Polar Regions--Discovery and exploration.

Subglacial lakes--Research--Antarctica.

Aquatic ecology--Research--Antarctica.

Aquatic ecology.

Scientific expeditions--Antarctica.

Scientific expeditions.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (162 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Washington, D.C. : National Academies Press, c2007.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

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.

Contents:

FrontMatter

Acknowledgments

Contents

Summary

1 Introduction

2 Geological and Geophysical Setting

3 Subglacial Environments: Biological Features

4 Drilling and Sampling Technologies and the Potential for Contamination

5 Antarctic Governance and Implications for Exploration of Subglacial Aquatic Environments

6 Findings and Recommendations

References

Appendixes

A Statement of Task

B Biographical Sketches of Committee Members

C List of Acronyms.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN:

9786610934645

9780309179249

0309179246

9781280934643

1280934646

9780309106368

0309106362

OCLC:

175576668