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Project Title:
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Principles of Environmental Stewardship for the Exploration and Study of Subglacial Environments
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PIN:
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PRBX-U-05-01-A
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Major Unit:
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Division on Earth and Life Studies
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Sub Unit:
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Polar Research Board
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RSO:
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Uhle, Maria
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Subject/Focus Area:
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Project Scope
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This study will address the environmental and scientific protection standards
needed to responsibly explore and study subglacial lake environments under
continental-scale ice sheets. The committee will provide guidance on
developing, testing, and verifying survey, entry, sensor deployment and
sampling protocols that balance the value of the scientific information to be
gained against the potential for alteration and/or contamination of the sites
being studied. There are two key issues: how to collect the best possible
samples for scientific study while minimizing contamination of the sites and
ensuring preservation for future scientific inquiry, and how to ensure wise
stewardship of these unique environments, including strict observance of
environmental protection responsibilities under domestic and international laws
and treaties.
Specifically, the committee will:
1. Define levels of "cleanliness" for equipment/devices entering subglacial
lake environments necessary to assure that the environments are subject to
minimal, reversible or acceptable change caused by the introduction of either
naturally occurring earth surface materials and life forms or anthropogenic
substances. This includes delineation of the most likely sources of
contamination, description of methods that might be used to reduce these
introductions, and discussion of methodologies that might be used to
demonstrate that the acceptable levels of "cleanliness" have been achieved.
This analysis should recognize that different stages of exploration may be
subject to differing level of environmental concern and that some activities
have been reviewed and approved for use elsewhere.
2. Consider the protocols developed for planetary protection over the past 40
years by NASA and assess their utility, applicability, transferability, and
adaptability to subglacial lake environment exploration and research.
3. Discuss whether we are technologically ready to begin exploration
activities, including the merits and disadvantages of existing technology, and
identify additional technological development that is needed. This might
include techniques for physical cleaning, sterilization, and coating of
surfaces with anti-fouling (bacterial) materials, and other approaches.
4. Discuss whether we are scientifically ready to begin exploration activities,
including (a) whether existing planning documents are adequate to guide the
work and what other guidance is needed, and (b) what are the costs and benefits
in terms of scientific outcomes of exploring now versus later.
5. Recommend next steps needed to define an overall exploration strategy. This
would include (a) consideration of potential targets among the many Antarctic
lakes, (b) consideration of lessons learned from previous activities that have
penetrated and potentially contaminated subglacial environments, and (c)
procedures and additional scientific studies to ensure that the best available,
environmentally and scientifically sound practices are adhered to and
contamination risks are reduced to acceptable levels during the entry and
sampling of subglacial lake environments.
The approximate start date for the project is September 1, 2005
The project is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.
A report will be issued at the end of the project in approximately 18 months.
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Project Duration:
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18 months
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