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Microbiology: lessons from a first attempt at Lake Ellsworth

Microbiology: lessons from a first attempt at Lake Ellsworth
Microbiology: lessons from a first attempt at Lake Ellsworth
During the attempt to directly access, measure and sample Subglacial Lake Ellsworth in 2012–2013, we conducted microbiological analyses of the drilling equipment, scientific instrumentation, field camp and natural surroundings. From these studies, a number of lessons can be learned about the cleanliness of deep Antarctic subglacial lake access leading to, in particular, knowledge of the limitations of some of the most basic relevant microbiological principles. Here, we focus on five of the core challenges faced and describe how cleanliness and sterilization were implemented in the field. In the light of our field experiences, we consider how effective these actions were, and what can be learnt for future subglacial exploration missions. The five areas covered are: (i) field camp environment and activities, (ii) the engineering processes surrounding the hot water drilling, (iii) sample handling, including recovery, stability and preservation, (iv) clean access methodologies and removal of sample material, and (v) the biodiversity and distribution of bacteria around the Antarctic. Comparisons are made between the microbiology of the Lake Ellsworth field site and other Antarctic systems, including the lakes on Signy Island, and on the Antarctic Peninsula at Lake Hodgson. Ongoing research to better define and characterize the behaviour of natural and introduced microbial populations in response to deep-ice drilling is also discussed. We recommend that future access programmes: (i) assess each specific local environment in enhanced detail due to the potential for local contamination, (ii) consider the sterility of the access in more detail, specifically focusing on single cell colonization and the introduction of new species through contamination of pre-existing microbial communities, (iii) consider experimental bias in methodological approaches, (iv) undertake in situ biodiversity detection to mitigate risk of non-sample return and post-sample contamination, and (v) address the critical question of how important these microbes are in the functioning of Antarctic ecosystems.
1364-503X
20140291
Pearce, D.A.
6bad8987-cb60-4dad-a510-77098a5b445b
Magiopoulos, I.
8e8b9b75-3329-464f-be81-7f9237cfa221
Mowlem, M.
6f633ca2-298f-48ee-a025-ce52dd62124f
Tranter, M.
a272a56a-ce28-4fa3-a4c4-1602b3ece6c1
Holt, G.
480cfeaa-839e-414d-9540-80beb34e15aa
Woodward, J.
63d70d5f-a164-4719-ad18-d3ce9b11b883
Siegert, M.J.
948264d9-a6e7-49e4-960d-0ea9c78ae2e9
Pearce, D.A.
6bad8987-cb60-4dad-a510-77098a5b445b
Magiopoulos, I.
8e8b9b75-3329-464f-be81-7f9237cfa221
Mowlem, M.
6f633ca2-298f-48ee-a025-ce52dd62124f
Tranter, M.
a272a56a-ce28-4fa3-a4c4-1602b3ece6c1
Holt, G.
480cfeaa-839e-414d-9540-80beb34e15aa
Woodward, J.
63d70d5f-a164-4719-ad18-d3ce9b11b883
Siegert, M.J.
948264d9-a6e7-49e4-960d-0ea9c78ae2e9

Pearce, D.A., Magiopoulos, I., Mowlem, M., Tranter, M., Holt, G., Woodward, J. and Siegert, M.J. (2016) Microbiology: lessons from a first attempt at Lake Ellsworth. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 374 (2059), 20140291. (doi:10.1098/rsta.2014.0291).

Record type: Article

Abstract

During the attempt to directly access, measure and sample Subglacial Lake Ellsworth in 2012–2013, we conducted microbiological analyses of the drilling equipment, scientific instrumentation, field camp and natural surroundings. From these studies, a number of lessons can be learned about the cleanliness of deep Antarctic subglacial lake access leading to, in particular, knowledge of the limitations of some of the most basic relevant microbiological principles. Here, we focus on five of the core challenges faced and describe how cleanliness and sterilization were implemented in the field. In the light of our field experiences, we consider how effective these actions were, and what can be learnt for future subglacial exploration missions. The five areas covered are: (i) field camp environment and activities, (ii) the engineering processes surrounding the hot water drilling, (iii) sample handling, including recovery, stability and preservation, (iv) clean access methodologies and removal of sample material, and (v) the biodiversity and distribution of bacteria around the Antarctic. Comparisons are made between the microbiology of the Lake Ellsworth field site and other Antarctic systems, including the lakes on Signy Island, and on the Antarctic Peninsula at Lake Hodgson. Ongoing research to better define and characterize the behaviour of natural and introduced microbial populations in response to deep-ice drilling is also discussed. We recommend that future access programmes: (i) assess each specific local environment in enhanced detail due to the potential for local contamination, (ii) consider the sterility of the access in more detail, specifically focusing on single cell colonization and the introduction of new species through contamination of pre-existing microbial communities, (iii) consider experimental bias in methodological approaches, (iv) undertake in situ biodiversity detection to mitigate risk of non-sample return and post-sample contamination, and (v) address the critical question of how important these microbes are in the functioning of Antarctic ecosystems.

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Published date: January 2016
Organisations: Ocean Technology and Engineering

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 385282
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/385282
ISSN: 1364-503X
PURE UUID: 3220b98c-b69b-4ac2-bbcb-5504e66abcf3
ORCID for M. Mowlem: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0001-7613-6121

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Date deposited: 21 Dec 2015 16:29
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 03:02

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Contributors

Author: D.A. Pearce
Author: I. Magiopoulos
Author: M. Mowlem ORCID iD
Author: M. Tranter
Author: G. Holt
Author: J. Woodward
Author: M.J. Siegert

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