Probe Technology for the Direct Measurement and Sampling of Ellsworth Subglacial Lake
2011
The direct measurement and sampling of Ellsworth
Subglacial Lakeis a multidisciplinary investigation of life in
extreme environmentsand West
Antarctic ice sheethistory. The project's aims are (1) to determine whether, and in what form, microbial life exists in Antarctic
subglacial lakesand (2) to reveal the post-Pliocene history of the West
Antarctic Ice Sheet. A U.K. consortium has planned an extensive logistics and equipment development program that will deliver the necessary resources. This will include hot water drill technology for lake access through approximately 3.2 km of ice, a probe to make measurements with sensors and to collect water and sediment samples, and a
percussioncorer to acquire an ˜3–4 m sediment core. This chapter details the requirements and early stages of design and development of the probe system. This includes the instrumentation package, water samplers, and a mini gravity corer mounted on the front of the probe. Initial design concepts for supporting equipment required at the drill site to deploy and operate the probe are also described. A review of the literature describing relevant technology is presented. The project will implement environmental protection in line with principles set out by the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research.
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