Technological advances have slowly enabled us to better understand the world around us. Such advancements have come at a pivotal time for the study of changes in the world’s climate, where the more information obtained the better. Advances with instruments able to withstand harsh conditions are enabling a current study in Antarctica, considered the harshest region on the planet.
A team of UK engineers are endeavoring to study one of Antarctica’s more than four hundred sub-glacial lakes. Lake Ellsworth has been chosen due its ease of access, at least compared to other sub-glacial lakes. Lake Ellsworth is located in Western Antarctica in an area known for harsh weather, severe cold and wind are common.
Freezing temperatures have greeted the scientists even in the summer months, which is when they have been setting up their study. The study itself has not yet been conducted due to the enormity of the setup process and the need for further tools specialized for the conditions of Antarctica. Therefore, the setup and actual study are being accomplished over multiple summers in the region.
The overall goal of the study is to take a sample of the lake’s water and sediment. The water will be tested to determine if there is life in the sub-glacial lake and the sediment will be tested to shed light on previous climatic conditions. In addition to guaranteeing instruments are able to work properly in the environment, the tools being used to sample the lake are also being specialized to remove the chance of contamination, which would alter the study results.
In order to reach Lake Ellsworth itself, which is approximately two miles below the surface, a hot water drill will be used. It is estimated that the drilling process will be accomplished over a period of three days. However, once the hole is drilled, the scientists will only have a window of twenty-four hours before the hole refreezes in which to sample the water and sediment of the lake.
The scientists are excited for the information the study could provide, alongside the endeavor itself. However, the harsh conditions of the Lake Ellsworth region will make it difficult to conduct such a sensitive study.
