Deep groundwater and potential subsurface habitats beneath an Antarctic dry valley

J. A. Mikucki; E. Auken; S. Tulaczyk; R. A. Virginia; C. Schamper; K. I. Sørensen; P. T. Doran; H. Dugan; N. Foley

doi:10.1038/ncomms7831

Deep groundwater and potential subsurface habitats beneath an Antarctic dry valley

J. A. Mikucki^*
, E. Auken
, S. Tulaczyk
, R. A. Virginia
, C. Schamper
, K. I. Sørensen
, P. T. Doran
, H. Dugan
, N. Foley

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaper › Journal article › Research › peer-review

156 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The occurrence of groundwater in Antarctica, particularly in the ice-free regions and along the coastal margins is poorly understood. Here we use an airborne transient electromagnetic (AEM) sensor to produce extensive imagery of resistivity beneath Taylor Valley. Regional-scale zones of low subsurface resistivity were detected that are inconsistent with the high resistivity of glacier ice or dry permafrost in this region. We interpret these results as an indication that liquid, with sufficiently high solute content, exists at temperatures well below freezing and considered within the range suitable for microbial life. These inferred brines are widespread within permafrost and extend below glaciers and lakes. One system emanates from below Taylor Glacier into Lake Bonney and a second system connects the ocean with the eastern 18km of the valley. A connection between these two basins was not detected to the depth limitation of the AEM survey (∼350m).

Original language	English
Article number	6831
Journal	Nature Communications
Volume	6
ISSN	2041-1723
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms7831
Publication status	Published - 28 Apr 2015

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title = "Deep groundwater and potential subsurface habitats beneath an Antarctic dry valley",

abstract = "The occurrence of groundwater in Antarctica, particularly in the ice-free regions and along the coastal margins is poorly understood. Here we use an airborne transient electromagnetic (AEM) sensor to produce extensive imagery of resistivity beneath Taylor Valley. Regional-scale zones of low subsurface resistivity were detected that are inconsistent with the high resistivity of glacier ice or dry permafrost in this region. We interpret these results as an indication that liquid, with sufficiently high solute content, exists at temperatures well below freezing and considered within the range suitable for microbial life. These inferred brines are widespread within permafrost and extend below glaciers and lakes. One system emanates from below Taylor Glacier into Lake Bonney and a second system connects the ocean with the eastern 18km of the valley. A connection between these two basins was not detected to the depth limitation of the AEM survey (∼350m).",

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T1 - Deep groundwater and potential subsurface habitats beneath an Antarctic dry valley

AU - Mikucki, J. A.

AU - Auken, E.

AU - Tulaczyk, S.

AU - Virginia, R. A.

AU - Schamper, C.

AU - Sørensen, K. I.

AU - Doran, P. T.

AU - Dugan, H.

AU - Foley, N.

PY - 2015/4/28

Y1 - 2015/4/28

N2 - The occurrence of groundwater in Antarctica, particularly in the ice-free regions and along the coastal margins is poorly understood. Here we use an airborne transient electromagnetic (AEM) sensor to produce extensive imagery of resistivity beneath Taylor Valley. Regional-scale zones of low subsurface resistivity were detected that are inconsistent with the high resistivity of glacier ice or dry permafrost in this region. We interpret these results as an indication that liquid, with sufficiently high solute content, exists at temperatures well below freezing and considered within the range suitable for microbial life. These inferred brines are widespread within permafrost and extend below glaciers and lakes. One system emanates from below Taylor Glacier into Lake Bonney and a second system connects the ocean with the eastern 18km of the valley. A connection between these two basins was not detected to the depth limitation of the AEM survey (∼350m).

AB - The occurrence of groundwater in Antarctica, particularly in the ice-free regions and along the coastal margins is poorly understood. Here we use an airborne transient electromagnetic (AEM) sensor to produce extensive imagery of resistivity beneath Taylor Valley. Regional-scale zones of low subsurface resistivity were detected that are inconsistent with the high resistivity of glacier ice or dry permafrost in this region. We interpret these results as an indication that liquid, with sufficiently high solute content, exists at temperatures well below freezing and considered within the range suitable for microbial life. These inferred brines are widespread within permafrost and extend below glaciers and lakes. One system emanates from below Taylor Glacier into Lake Bonney and a second system connects the ocean with the eastern 18km of the valley. A connection between these two basins was not detected to the depth limitation of the AEM survey (∼350m).

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/84925960263

U2 - 10.1038/ncomms7831

DO - 10.1038/ncomms7831

M3 - Journal article

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AN - SCOPUS:84925960263

SN - 2041-1723

VL - 6

JO - Nature Communications

JF - Nature Communications

M1 - 6831

ER -

Deep groundwater and potential subsurface habitats beneath an Antarctic dry valley

Abstract

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