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News Release 14-104

Confirmed: 800 meters beneath Antarctic ice sheet, subglacial lake holds viable microbial ecosystems

Cutting-edge technology and science of the NSF-funded WISSARD project make discovery possible

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Brent C. Christner and Alex Michaud retrieve the first water sample from Lake Whillans.

Brent C. Christner (right), of Lousiana State University, and Alex Michaud, a graduate student at Montana State University, retrieve the first water sample from Antarctica's subglacial Lake Whillans.

Credit: Reed Scherer, Northern Illinois University


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Scientists recovering an instrument from subglacial Lake Whillans.

Ross Powell (left) and Reed Scherer, both of Northern Illinois University, recover an instrument from subglacial Lake Whillans.

Credit: Reed Scherer, Northern Illinois University


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Ken Mankoff of the WISSARD project monitors a borehole camera.

Ken Mankoff of the WISSARD project monitors a borehole camera.

Credit: Reed Scherer, Northern Illinois University


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Colonies of bacteria

Colonies of bacteria cultured from samples of the water column from subglacial Lake Whillans.

Credit: Brent C. Christner, Louisiana State University


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Confirmed: 800 meters beneath Antarctic Ice Sheet, subglacial lake holds viable microbial ecosystems.

Credit: Image credit: Reed Scherer, Northern Illinois University/Video credit: NSF


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