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Coordinates: 77°23′S 161°56′E / 77.383°S 161.933°E / -77.383; 161.933
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{{short description| A hypersaline, permanently ice-covered lake in Antarctica }}
{{Infobox lake
{{Infobox lake
| name = Lake Vida
| name = Lake Vida
| image =
| image = Lake Vida 2012 01.jpg
| caption = Lake Vida, showing ice cover and surrounding [[McMurdo Dry Valleys|Dry Valley]] terrain. Picture taken in 2012.
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| caption =
| alt = Lake Vida, showing ice cover and surrounding Dry Valley terrain
| image_bathymetry = Lake_Vida.png
| image_bathymetry = Lake_Vida.png
| alt_bathymetry = Map of approximate location
| caption_bathymetry = Map of approximate location
| caption_bathymetry = Map of approximate location
| location =
| location =
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| islands = 0 (''none'')
| islands = 0 (''none'')
| cities = Lake Vida Camp
| cities = Lake Vida Camp
| reference =
<!-- Map -->
| pushpin_map = Antarctica
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt = Location of Lake Vida with Antarctica.
| pushpin_map_caption =
<!-- Below -->
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| website =
| reference =
}}
}}


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==Introduction==
==Introduction==
Lake Vida is one of the largest lakes in the McMurdo Dry Valley region and is a closed-basin [[endorheic]] lake. The permanent surface ice on the lake is the thickest non-glacial ice on earth, reaching a depth of at least {{convert|21|m|ft}}. The ice at depth is saturated with [[brine]] that is seven times as saline as seawater.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Doran PT, Fritsen CH, McKay CP, Priscu JC, Adams EE |title=Formation and character of an ancient 19-m ice cover and underlying trapped brine in an "ice-sealed" east Antarctic lake |journal=Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. |volume=100 |issue=1 |pages=26–31 |date=January 2003 |pmid=12518052 |pmc=140872 |doi=10.1073/pnas.222680999 |url=http://www.pnas.org/content/100/1/26.long |quote=[http://www.pnas.org/content/100/1/26/F1.expansion.html Figure 1: Bathymetric map of Lake Vida] |laysummary=[http://cips.berkeley.edu/newsclips/021216-3/ Buried lake could test life's limits] |laydate=17 December 2002 |laysource=Nature Science Update}}</ref> The high salinity allows the brine to remain liquid at an average yearly water temperature of {{convert|-13|C|F}}. The ice cap has sealed the saline brine from external air and water for thousands of years creating a time capsule for ancient [[DNA]]. This combination of lake features make Lake Vida a unique [[lake|lacustrine]] [[ecosystem]] on [[Earth]].<ref>[http://www.dri.edu/People/cfritsen/grads/Mosier.html Desert Research Institute] from the homepage of Annika Mosier</ref>
Lake Vida is one of the largest lakes in the McMurdo Dry Valley region and is a closed-basin [[endorheic]] lake. The permanent surface ice on the lake is the thickest non-glacial ice on earth, reaching a depth of at least {{convert|21|m|ft}}. The ice at depth is saturated with [[brine]] that is seven times as saline as seawater.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Doran PT, Fritsen CH, McKay CP, Priscu JC, Adams EE |title=Formation and character of an ancient 19-m ice cover and underlying trapped brine in an "ice-sealed" east Antarctic lake |journal=Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. |volume=100 |issue=1 |pages=26–31 |date=January 2003 |pmid=12518052 |pmc=140872 |doi=10.1073/pnas.222680999 |bibcode=2003PNAS..100...26D |doi-access=free}} [http://www.pnas.org/content/100/1/26/F1.expansion.html Figure 1: Bathymetric map of Lake Vida]
*{{cite news |author=Philip Ball |date=17 December 2002 |title=Buried lake could test life's limits |work=Nature Science News |url=http://cips.berkeley.edu/newsclips/021216-3/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031206064123/http://cips.berkeley.edu/newsclips/021216-3/ |archive-date=2003-12-06}}</ref> The high salinity allows the brine to remain liquid at an average yearly water temperature of {{convert|-13|C|F}}. The ice cap has sealed the saline brine from external air and water for thousands of years, creating a time capsule for ancient [[DNA]]. This combination of lake features makes Lake Vida a unique [[lake|lacustrine]] [[ecosystem]] on [[Earth]].<ref>[http://www.dri.edu/People/cfritsen/grads/Mosier.html Annika Mosier] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060526222234/http://www.dri.edu/People/cfritsen/grads/Mosier.html |date=2006-05-26 }} at [[Desert Research Institute]]</ref>


The lake gained widespread recognition in December 2002 when a research team, led by the University of Illinois at Chicago's [[Peter Doran]], announced the discovery of 2,800&nbsp;year old [[halophile]] microbes (primarily [[Protein filament|filamentous]] [[cyanobacteria]]) preserved in ice layer core samples drilled in 1996.<ref>National Science Foundation [http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/02/pr02100.htm press release] for Doran ''et al.'' (2003)</ref> The microbes reanimated upon [[thawing]], grew and [[reproduction|reproduced]]. Due to this discovery and the freezing mechanisms forming Lake Vida's ice-seal, Lake Vida is now noted as a location for research into Earth's [[climate]] and life under extreme conditions, specifically the [[fauna]] that could have [[life on Mars|existed on Mars]]. The unmanned Lake Vida Meteorological Station monitors climate conditions around the lake year round for such scientific study.<ref>[http://huey.colorado.edu/LTER/datasets/meteorology/vida.html Lake Vida Meteorology Station]</ref><ref>[http://www.glaciers.pdx.edu/McMurdoVT/Vida.html 360° Panorama] from Lake Vida Meteorologic Station</ref>
The lake gained widespread recognition in December 2002 when a research team, led by the University of Illinois at Chicago's [[Peter Doran]], announced the discovery of 2,800‑year‑old [[halophile]] microbes (primarily [[Protein filament|filamentous]] [[cyanobacteria]]) preserved in ice layer core samples drilled in 1996.<ref>National Science Foundation [https://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/02/pr02100.htm press release] for Doran ''et al.'' (2003)</ref> The microbes reanimated upon [[thawing]], grew and [[reproduction|reproduced]]. Due to this discovery and the freezing mechanisms forming Lake Vida's ice-seal, Lake Vida is now noted as a location for research into Earth's [[climate]] and life under extreme conditions, specifically the [[fauna]] that could have [[life on Mars|existed on Mars]]. The unmanned Lake Vida Meteorological Station monitors climate conditions around the lake year round for such scientific study.<ref>[http://huey.colorado.edu/LTER/datasets/meteorology/vida.html Lake Vida Meteorology Station] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040324020048/http://huey.colorado.edu/LTER/datasets/meteorology/vida.html |date=2004-03-24 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.glaciers.pdx.edu/McMurdoVT/Vida.html 360° Panorama] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060903142030/http://www.glaciers.pdx.edu/McMurdoVT/Vida.html |date=2006-09-03 }} from Lake Vida Meteorologic Station</ref>


A 2010 field campaign, funded by the National Science Foundation through the [[American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009]], to investigate the microbiology and geochemistry of Lake Vida. Led by Peter Doran and Alison Murray from Nevada's Desert Research Institute, the expedition recovered ice cores, brine and sediment samples from the lake using clean drilling procedures to avoid contamination.<ref>{{cite web |title=Digging deeper below Antarctica's Lake Vida |date=September 14, 2009 |publisher=PhysOrg.com |url=http://www.physorg.com/news172171624.html}}</ref>
A 2010 field campaign, funded by the National Science Foundation through the [[American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009]], to investigate the [[microbiology]] and [[geochemistry]] of Lake Vida. Led by Peter Doran and Alison Murray from Nevada's [[Desert Research Institute]], the expedition recovered [[ice core]]s, brine and sediment samples from the lake using clean drilling procedures to avoid contamination.<ref>{{cite web |title=Digging deeper below Antarctica's Lake Vida |date=September 14, 2009 |publisher=PhysOrg.com |url=http://www.physorg.com/news172171624.html}}</ref>


The lake itself has no permanent settlements or infrastructure. The nearby Lake Vida Meteorological Station is unmanned, sending meteorological data to McMurdo Dry Valleys Long Term Ecological Research organization. The closest human settlement is [[Scott Base|Scott Base McMurdo]] approximately {{convert|125|km|mi}} away.<ref>[http://www.aad.gov.au/asset/science/publications/cfg0402.pdf Contaminents in Freezing Ground], Sanpe et al.</ref> In addition to the unmanned observation station, a 5-day emergency supply of food for 6 people is cached {{convert|600|m|ft}} from the southwestern shore.<ref>[http://quest.nasa.gov/antarctica/background/NSF/field-guide/append.html NASA Quest], the Lake Vida cache</ref> Research teams establish temporary camps from which research activities are conducted on short term basis in the summer months.
The lake itself has no permanent settlements or infrastructure. The nearby Lake Vida Meteorological Station is unmanned, sending meteorological data to McMurdo Dry Valleys Long Term Ecological Research organization. The closest human settlement is [[Scott Base|Scott Base McMurdo]] approximately {{convert|125|km|mi}} away.<ref>[http://www.aad.gov.au/asset/science/publications/cfg0402.pdf Contaminents in Freezing Ground] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060831154136/http://www.aad.gov.au/Asset/science/publications/CFG0402.pdf |date=2006-08-31 }}, Sanpe et al.</ref> In addition to the unmanned observation station, a 5-day emergency supply of food for 6 people is cached {{convert|600|m|ft}} from the southwestern shore.<ref>[http://quest.nasa.gov/antarctica/background/NSF/field-guide/append.html NASA Quest] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090427111435/http://quest.nasa.gov/antarctica/background/NSF/field-guide/append.html |date=2009-04-27 }}, the Lake Vida cache</ref> Research teams establish temporary camps from which research activities are conducted on short term basis in the summer months.


==Composition==
==Composition==
Lake Vida does not possess many factors attributed to the existence of life formations. Lake Vida contains high levels of [[nitrous oxide]] (N<sub>2</sub>O) and also [[Hydrogen#Elemental molecular forms|molecular hydrogen]] (H<sub>2</sub>). The chemicals are believed to be released from chemical reactions between the [[brine]] and underlying sediments. The molecular hydrogen may be crucial as an energy source for life in the lake and aids in justifying the presence of life in an oxygen-deprived environment.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/nov/26/antarctic-lake-vida-find-life], Sanpe et al.</ref>
Lake Vida does not possess many factors attributed to the existence of life formations. Lake Vida contains high levels of [[nitrous oxide]] (N<sub>2</sub>O) and also [[Hydrogen#Spin isomers|molecular hydrogen]] (H<sub>2</sub>). The chemicals are believed to be released from chemical reactions between the [[brine]] and underlying sediments. The molecular hydrogen may be crucial as an energy source for life in the lake and aids in justifying the presence of life in an oxygen-deprived environment.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/nov/26/antarctic-lake-vida-find-life], Sanpe et al.</ref>


==Hydrology==
==Hydrology==
Lake Vida has at least three named inflows, Victoria River, Kite Stream, and Dune Creek. Victoria River passes through the Vida Basin into Victoria Valley, [[Victoria Land]] as [[ephemeral]] [[glacial]] meltwater from the Upper Victoria Glacier, draining from [[Victoria Upper Lake]], {{convert|7|km|mi}} to the northwest, to finally drain into the west end of Lake Vida. Kite Stream is also located in the Vida Basin and flows as ephemeral glacial meltwater west from the Victoria Lower Glacier into the east end of Lake Vida. The [[United States Geological Survey|United States Geological Survey's]] Atlas of Antarctic Research maps up to nine Lake Vida inflows or outflows including Victoria River and Kite Stream. The inflows and outflows are normally dry due to average annual temperatures down to {{convert|-30|C|F}} at Lake Vida. Meltwater flows for a few weeks in the summer months when temperatures rise sufficiently for the nearby glaciers to melt. The McMurdo Dry Valleys are classified as extreme [[desert]], the area receives less than {{convert|10|cm|in}} of [[snow]] [[precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]] a year, this snow builds the nearby glaciers.
Lake Vida has at least three named inflows: Victoria River, Kite Stream, and Dune Creek. Victoria River passes through the Vida Basin into Victoria Valley, [[Victoria Land]] as [[ephemeral]] [[glacial]] meltwater from the Upper Victoria Glacier, draining from [[Victoria Upper Lake]], {{convert|7|km|mi}} to the northwest, to finally drain into the west end of Lake Vida. Kite Stream is also located in the Vida Basin and flows as ephemeral glacial meltwater west from the Victoria Lower Glacier into the east end of Lake Vida. The [[United States Geological Survey|United States Geological Survey's]] Atlas of Antarctic Research maps up to nine Lake Vida inflows or outflows including Victoria River and Kite Stream. The inflows and outflows are normally dry due to average annual temperatures down to {{convert|-30|C|F}} at Lake Vida. [[Meltwater]] flows for a few weeks in the summer months when temperatures rise sufficiently for the nearby glaciers to melt. The McMurdo Dry Valleys are classified as extreme [[desert]]. The area receives less than {{convert|10|cm|in}} of [[snow]] [[precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]] a year, in the form of snow that builds the nearby glaciers.


==Geology==
==Geology==

=== Main geological features ===
=== Main geological features ===
In the vicinity of Lake Vida, a variety of geological features are noted, the most significant being glaciers, lakes, valleys, ridges, and summits. There are approximately 25 named glaciers within a {{convert|25|km|mi}} radius with the nearest being Upper Victoria Glacier, Packard Glacier, Clark Glacier, and Clio Glacier. In the same radius, there are approximately 14 named ridges with the nearest being Robertsons Ridge, Helios Ridge, and Nottage Ridge. In addition to Victoria Valley, there are 16 named valleys with the nearest being Sanford Valley, Barwick Valley and McKelvey Valley. In addition to Upper Victoria Lake that feeds Lake Vida with meltwater, there are approximately 11 other lakes, the nearest being Lake Thomas. The summits around Lake Vida are as follows, Mautino Peak, Mount Saga, Mount Allen, Mount Theseus, Mount Cerberus, Mount Insel, Nickell Peak, and Sponsors Peak.
In the vicinity of Lake Vida, a variety of geological features are noted, the most significant being glaciers, lakes, valleys, ridges, and summits. There are approximately 25 named glaciers within a {{convert|25|km|mi}} radius with the nearest being Upper Victoria Glacier, Packard Glacier, Clark Glacier, and Clio Glacier. In the same radius, there are approximately 14 named ridges with the nearest being Robertsons Ridge, Helios Ridge, and Nottage Ridge. In addition to Victoria Valley, there are 16 named valleys with the nearest being Sanford Valley, Barwick Valley and McKelvey Valley. In addition to Upper Victoria Lake that feeds Lake Vida with meltwater, there are approximately 11 other lakes, the nearest being Lake Thomas. The summits around Lake Vida are as follows, [[Mautino Peak]], Mount Saga, Mount Allen, Mount Theseus, Mount Cerberus, Mount Insel, Nickell Peak, and Sponsors Peak.


===Other geological features===
===Other geological features===
Other more minor features include benches, cliffs, gaps, and streams.<ref>[http://usarc.usgs.gov/ant-ogc-viewer/viewer.htm USGS USGS Atlas of Antarctic Research]</ref> The Victoria Valley dunefield, an approximately 1.5 km<sup>2</sup> belt which is about 3.1 km long, lies to the east of Lake Vida. It is an important site for research into the landforms and processes of perennial niveo-aeolian environments.<ref name=Bourke>{{cite journal|coauthors=Ryan C. Ewing, David Finnegan, Hamish A. McGowan|title=Sand dune movement in the Victoria Valley, Antarctica|journal=Geomorphology|date=15 August 2009|volume=109|issue=3-4|pages=148–160|doi=10.1016/j.geomorph.2009.02.028|author=Mary C. Bourke|publisher=Elsevier}}</ref>
Other more minor features include benches, cliffs, gaps, and streams.<ref>[http://usarc.usgs.gov/ant-ogc-viewer/viewer.htm USGS USGS Atlas of Antarctic Research] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051001110929/http://usarc.usgs.gov/ant-ogc-viewer/viewer.htm |date=2005-10-01 }}</ref> The Victoria Valley dunefield, an approximately 1.5&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> belt which is about 3.1&nbsp;km long, lies to the east of Lake Vida. It is an important site for research into the landforms and processes of perennial niveo-aeolian environments.<ref name=Bourke>{{cite journal |author1=Mary C. Bourke|author2=Ryan C. Ewing|author3=David Finnegan|author4=Hamish A. McGowan|title=Sand dune movement in the Victoria Valley, Antarctica|journal=Geomorphology|date=15 August 2009|volume=109|issue=3–4|pages=148–160|doi=10.1016/j.geomorph.2009.02.028|publisher=Elsevier|bibcode=2009Geomo.109..148B}}</ref>


==Natural history==
==Natural history==
Kite stream is named after a researcher, James Kite, who found numerous [[meteorite]]s in the area (1977–1978).<ref>[http://aadc-maps.aad.gov.au/aadc/gaz/display_name.cfm?gaz_id=127453 Kite Stream], Australian Antarctic Data Center</ref>
Kite Stream is named after a researcher, James Kite, who found numerous [[meteorite]]s in the area (1977–1978).<ref>[http://aadc-maps.aad.gov.au/aadc/gaz/display_name.cfm?gaz_id=127453 Kite Stream] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926225759/http://aadc-maps.aad.gov.au/aadc/gaz/display_name.cfm?gaz_id=127453 |date=2007-09-26 }}, Australian Antarctic Data Center</ref>


==History==
==History==
Lake Vida lies north of Mount Cerberus in the Victoria Valley of Victoria Land. Named by the Victoria University of Wellington Antarctic Expedition (1958–59) after Vida (Vaida), a sledge dog of the [[Nimrod Expedition]], 1910-13.<ref>[http://aadc-maps.aad.gov.au/aadc/gaz/display_name.cfm?gaz_id=133257 Australian Antarctic Data Centre SCAR Gazetteer] Reference No 15493</ref> Lake Vida was originally thought to be frozen to the lakebed.<ref>[http://web.pdx.edu/~cdelany/Papers/Research_Proposal.pdf Synthetic Aperture Radar detection of changes in ice and soil surfaces, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica]</ref>
Lake Vida lies north of Mount Cerberus in the Victoria Valley of Victoria Land. Named by the [[Victoria University of Wellington Antarctic Expedition]] (1958–59) after Vida (Vaida), a sledge dog of the [[Nimrod Expedition]], 1910-13.<ref>[http://aadc-maps.aad.gov.au/aadc/gaz/display_name.cfm?gaz_id=133257 Australian Antarctic Data Centre SCAR Gazetteer] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926225702/http://aadc-maps.aad.gov.au/aadc/gaz/display_name.cfm?gaz_id=133257 |date=2007-09-26 }} Reference No 15493</ref> Lake Vida was originally thought to be frozen to the lakebed.<ref>[http://web.pdx.edu/~cdelany/Papers/Research_Proposal.pdf Synthetic Aperture Radar detection of changes in ice and soil surfaces, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060818162251/http://web.pdx.edu/~cdelany/Papers/Research_Proposal.pdf |date=2006-08-18 }}</ref>

==Economy==
Lake Vida has no noted economic features. Any commercial benefits from the scientific expeditions to Lake Vida are indirect.


==Life==
==Life==
Scientists have found life in an [[Antarctic]] Lake Vida that was sealed off from the outside world by a thick sheet of ice several thousands of years ago.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/nov/26/antarctic-lake-vida-find-life ''The Guardian'']</ref> The discovery of the ecosystem pushes the boundaries of what life can endure, and may inform the search for alien microbes on other planets, such as Mars, or on icy moons, for instance, Jupiter's moon [[Europa (moon)|Europa]].
Scientists have found life in an [[Antarctic]] Lake Vida that was sealed off from the outside world by a thick sheet of ice several thousands of years ago.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/nov/26/antarctic-lake-vida-find-life |title= Antarctic lake find pushes known boundaries of what life can endure |work= The Guardian |first= Ian |last= Sample |date= 26 November 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |journal= PNAS |volume= 109 |issue= 50 |pages= 20626–20631 |doi= 10.1073/pnas.1208607109 |title= Microbial life at −13 °C in the brine of an ice-sealed Antarctic lake |first1= Alison E. |last1= Murray |date= Dec 11, 2012 |display-authors=etal |pmid=23185006 |pmc=3528574|bibcode= 2012PNAS..10920626M |doi-access= free }}</ref> The discovery of the ecosystem pushes the boundaries of what life can endure, and may inform the search for alien microbes on other planets, such as Mars, or on icy moons, for instance, Jupiter's moon [[Europa (moon)|Europa]].


==Species lists==
==Species lists==
The following [[eukaryote]] [[species]] have been catalogued within 1 degree<ref>[http://aadc-maps.aad.gov.au/aadc/biodiversity/species_near_place.cfm?lat=-77.38333330&lon=161.95&offset=1.0 Australian Antarctic Data Center, SCAR Gazetteer]</ref> of Lake Vida:
The following [[eukaryote]] [[species]] have been catalogued within 1 degree<ref>[https://data.aad.gov.au/aadc/biodiversity/species_near_place.cfm?lat=-77.3833333&lon=161.95&offset=1.0 Australian Antarctic Data Center, SCAR Gazetteer]</ref> of Lake Vida:


'''[[Kingdom (biology)|Kingdom]] [[Animalia]]'''
'''[[Kingdom (biology)|Kingdom]] [[Animal]]ia'''
*[[Phylum]] [[Arthropoda]] : ''Alloptes stercorarii'' ([[arachnida]], [[mite]]), ''[[Tydeus (mite)|Tydeus]] setsukoae'' (arachnida, mite)
*[[Phylum]] [[Arthropod]]a : ''Alloptes stercorarii'' ([[Arachnid|arachnida]], [[mite]]), ''[[Tydeus (mite)|Tydeus]] setsukoae'' (arachnida, mite)
*Phylum [[Rotifera]] : ''[[species:Philodina|Philodina]]'' spp.
*Phylum [[Rotifer]]a : ''[[species:Philodina|Philodina]]'' spp.
*Phylum [[Tardigrada]] : Unknown sp.
*Phylum [[Tardigrade|Tardigrada]] : Unknown sp.


'''Kingdom [[Fungi]]'''
'''Kingdom [[Fungus|Fungi]]'''
*[[Division (biology)|Division]] [[Ascomycota]] : ''[[species:Lepraria|Lepraria]]'' sp.
*[[Division (mycology)|Division]] [[Ascomycota]] : ''[[species:Lepraria|Lepraria]]'' sp.


'''Kingdom [[Plantae]]'''
'''Kingdom [[Plant]]ae'''
*Division [[Moss|Bryophyta]] : ''[[species:Bryum argenteum|Bryum argenteum]]'', ''[[species:Bryum pseudotriquetrum|Bryum pseudotriquetrum]]'', ''[[species:Bryum|Bryum]] subrotundifolium'', ''[[species:Ceratodon purpureus|Ceratodon purpureus]]'', ''[[species:Didymodon|Didymodon]] gelidus'', ''[[species:Grimmia|Grimmia]] antarctici'', ''Grimmia'' sp., ''[[species:Pottia|Pottia]] heimii'', ''[[species:Sarconeurum|Sarconeurum]] glaciale'',
*Division [[Moss|Bryophyta]] : ''[[species:Bryum argenteum|Bryum argenteum]]'', ''[[species:Bryum pseudotriquetrum|Bryum pseudotriquetrum]]'', ''[[species:Bryum|Bryum]] subrotundifolium'', ''[[species:Ceratodon purpureus|Ceratodon purpureus]]'', ''[[Didymodon gelidus]]'', ''[[species:Grimmia|Grimmia]] antarctici'', ''Grimmia'' sp., ''[[species:Pottia|Pottia]] heimii'', ''[[species:Sarconeurum|Sarconeurum]] glaciale'',
*Division [[Marchantiophyta]] : ''[[species:Cephaloziellaceae|Cephaloziella]] exiliflora''
*Division [[Marchantiophyta]] : ''[[species:Cephaloziellaceae|Cephaloziella]] exiliflora''


'''Kingdom [[Protista]]'''
'''Kingdom [[Protist]]a'''
*Phylum [[Ciliophora]] : ''Chilodonella'' sp., ''Epistylis'' sp., ''Euplotes'' sp., ''Halteria'' sp., ''Homalozoon'' sp., ''Nassula'' sp., ''Oxytricha'' sp., ''Pleuronema'' sp., ''Podophrya'' sp., ''Pyxidium'' sp., ''Saprophilus'' sp., ''Spathidium'' sp., ''Sphaerophrya'' sp., ''[[Vorticella]]'' sp.
*Phylum [[Ciliate|Ciliophora]] : ''Chilodonella'' sp., ''Epistylis'' sp., ''Euplotes'' sp., ''Halteria'' sp., ''Homalozoon'' sp., ''Nassula'' sp., ''Oxytricha'' sp., ''Pleuronema'' sp., ''Podophrya'' sp., ''Pyxidium'' sp., ''Saprophilus'' sp., ''Spathidium'' sp., ''Sphaerophrya'' sp., ''[[Vorticella]]'' sp.
*Phylum [[Amoeboid|Sarcomastigophora]] : ''[[species:Acanthocystidae|Acanthocystis]]'' sp., ''Actinophyrys'' sp.,
*Phylum [[Amoeba|Sarcomastigophora]] : ''[[species:Acanthocystidae|Acanthocystis]]'' sp., ''Actinophyrys'' sp.,
*Phylum [[Euglenozoa]] : ''Bodo'' sp. ([[kinetoplastid]])
*Phylum [[Euglenozoa]] : ''Bodo'' sp. ([[Kinetoplastida|kinetoplastid]])


==See also==
==See also==
Line 87: Line 96:
*[[Extremophile]]
*[[Extremophile]]


==Notes==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
<references />


==References==
==References==
*[http://www.nsf.gov/od/opp/antarct/ajus/nsf9828/9828pdf/nsf9828h.pdf McMurdo Dry Valley Long Term Ecological Research]
*[https://www.nsf.gov/od/opp/antarct/ajus/nsf9828/9828pdf/nsf9828h.pdf McMurdo Dry Valley Long Term Ecological Research]
*[http://www.nsf.gov/od/opp/antarct/ajus/nsf9828/9828pdf/nsf9828i.pdf Terrestrial Biology]
*[https://www.nsf.gov/od/opp/antarct/ajus/nsf9828/9828pdf/nsf9828i.pdf Terrestrial Biology]
*[http://www.homepage.montana.edu/~lkbonney/DOCS/Publications/DoranEtAl2004Paleolimnology.pdf Paleolimnology of Extreme Cold Terrestrial and Extraterrestrial Environments]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060902155149/http://www.homepage.montana.edu/~lkbonney/DOCS/Publications/DoranEtAl2004Paleolimnology.pdf Paleolimnology of Extreme Cold Terrestrial and Extraterrestrial Environments]
*[http://ndeaa.jpl.nasa.gov/nasa-nde/usdc/papers/5388-32-Gopher-4-Subsurface-Ice-and-Brine-Sampling.pdf Subsurface Ice and Brine Sampling]
*[http://ndeaa.jpl.nasa.gov/nasa-nde/usdc/papers/5388-32-Gopher-4-Subsurface-Ice-and-Brine-Sampling.pdf Subsurface Ice and Brine Sampling]
*[http://www.powermacintosh.net/science.html Antarctic Lake Yields Ancient Bacteria]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070929013634/http://www.powermacintosh.net/science.html Antarctic Lake Yields Ancient Bacteria]
*[http://www.worldiscoveries.com/extremeworld.html#lakevida Lake Vida, Antarctica]
*[http://www.worldiscoveries.com/extremeworld.html#lakevida Lake Vida, Antarctica]{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
*[http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/nov/26/antarctic-lake-vida-find-life Antarctica Lake Vida Find Life]
*[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/nov/26/antarctic-lake-vida-find-life Antarctica Lake Vida Find Life]


==External links==
==External links==
;Resources
;Resources
*[http://huey.colorado.edu/LTER/datasets/meteorology/vida.html Meteorological Station Measurements, University of Colorado], Lake Vida entry
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20040324020048/http://huey.colorado.edu/LTER/datasets/meteorology/vida.html Meteorological Station Measurements, University of Colorado], Lake Vida entry
*[http://huey.colorado.edu/diatoms/waterbodies/waterbody_summary.php?pageNum_rs_waterbodies=21&totalRows_rs_waterbodies=24&waterbody_ID=8 Antarctic Freshwater Diatoms, University of Colorado], Lake Vida entry
*[http://huey.colorado.edu/diatoms/waterbodies/waterbody_summary.php?pageNum_rs_waterbodies=21&totalRows_rs_waterbodies=24&waterbody_ID=8 Antarctic Freshwater Diatoms, University of Colorado], Lake Vida entry
*[http://www.ssec.wisc.edu/icds/projects/vida.html Ice Coring and Drilling Services Space Science and Engineering Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison], Lake Vida entry
*[http://www.ssec.wisc.edu/icds/projects/vida.html Ice Coring and Drilling Services Space Science and Engineering Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison], Lake Vida entry
*[http://www.mcmlter.org/queries/met/get_met_tables.jsp?metStation=VIAM McMurdo Dry Valleys Long Term Ecological Research VIAM data tables], Lake Vida entry
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070928104007/http://www.mcmlter.org/queries/met/get_met_tables.jsp?metStation=VIAM McMurdo Dry Valleys Long Term Ecological Research VIAM data tables], Lake Vida entry
*[http://daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/L/LakeVida.html David Darling's Encyclopedia of Astrobiology], Lake Vida entry
*[http://daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/L/LakeVida.html David Darling's Encyclopedia of Astrobiology], Lake Vida entry
;News items
;News items
*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/2581485.stm "Lake Water Secret"], [[BBC]] news item
*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/2581485.stm "Lake Water Secret"], [[BBC]] news item
*[http://antarcticsun.usap.gov/oldissues99-2000/2000_0206/vida.html "Looking for lessons at Vida"], ''The Antarctic Sun'' news item on borehole pollution at Lake Vida
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070704103715/http://antarcticsun.usap.gov/oldissues99-2000/2000_0206/vida.html "Looking for lessons at Vida"], ''The Antarctic Sun'' news item on borehole pollution at Lake Vida
;Photographs
;Photographs
*[http://maps.google.com/maps?q=77%C2%B025%270%22S+++161%C2%B047%2736%22E&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&hl=en&ll=-77.388754,161.93367&spn=0.060717,0.441513&t=h&z=11 Google Maps image]
*[https://maps.google.com/maps?q=77%C2%B025%270%22S+++161%C2%B047%2736%22E&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&hl=en&ll=-77.388754,161.93367&spn=0.060717,0.441513&t=h&z=11 Google Maps image]
*[http://lava.nationalgeographic.com/cgi-bin/pod/PhotoOfTheDay.cgi?day=25&month=1&year=04 National Geographic photograph of Lake Vida]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20040404091506/http://lava.nationalgeographic.com/cgi-bin/pod/PhotoOfTheDay.cgi?day=25&month=1&year=04 National Geographic photograph of Lake Vida]


{{DEFAULTSORT:Vida, Lake}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vida, Lake}}
[[Category:Valleys of Antarctica]]
[[Category:Lakes of Antarctica]]
[[Category:Lakes of Antarctica]]
[[Category:Lakes of Victoria Land]]
[[Category:Lakes of Victoria Land]]

Latest revision as of 22:57, 10 March 2024

Lake Vida
Lake Vida, showing ice cover and surrounding Dry Valley terrain
Lake Vida, showing ice cover and surrounding Dry Valley terrain. Picture taken in 2012.
Location of Lake Vida with Antarctica.
Location of Lake Vida with Antarctica.
Lake Vida
Map of approximate location
Map of approximate location
Coordinates77°23′S 161°56′E / 77.383°S 161.933°E / -77.383; 161.933
Lake typeEndorheic
Primary inflowsVictoria River, Kite Stream, Dune Creek
Primary outflowsnone
Catchment areaVida Basin
Basin countries(Antarctica)
Max. length5.4 km (3.4 mi)
Max. width1.7 km (1.1 mi)
Surface area6.8 km2 (2.6 sq mi)
Average depthundetermined
Max. depthundetermined
Water volumeundetermined
Surface elevation349 m (1,145 ft)
Islands0 (none)
SettlementsLake Vida Camp

Lake Vida is a hypersaline lake in Victoria Valley, the northernmost of the large McMurdo Dry Valleys, on the continent of Antarctica. It is isolated under year-round ice cover, and is considerably more saline than seawater. It came to public attention in 2002 when microbes frozen in its ice cover for more than 2,800 years were successfully thawed and reanimated.

Introduction

[edit]

Lake Vida is one of the largest lakes in the McMurdo Dry Valley region and is a closed-basin endorheic lake. The permanent surface ice on the lake is the thickest non-glacial ice on earth, reaching a depth of at least 21 metres (69 ft). The ice at depth is saturated with brine that is seven times as saline as seawater.[1] The high salinity allows the brine to remain liquid at an average yearly water temperature of −13 °C (9 °F). The ice cap has sealed the saline brine from external air and water for thousands of years, creating a time capsule for ancient DNA. This combination of lake features makes Lake Vida a unique lacustrine ecosystem on Earth.[2]

The lake gained widespread recognition in December 2002 when a research team, led by the University of Illinois at Chicago's Peter Doran, announced the discovery of 2,800‑year‑old halophile microbes (primarily filamentous cyanobacteria) preserved in ice layer core samples drilled in 1996.[3] The microbes reanimated upon thawing, grew and reproduced. Due to this discovery and the freezing mechanisms forming Lake Vida's ice-seal, Lake Vida is now noted as a location for research into Earth's climate and life under extreme conditions, specifically the fauna that could have existed on Mars. The unmanned Lake Vida Meteorological Station monitors climate conditions around the lake year round for such scientific study.[4][5]

A 2010 field campaign, funded by the National Science Foundation through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, to investigate the microbiology and geochemistry of Lake Vida. Led by Peter Doran and Alison Murray from Nevada's Desert Research Institute, the expedition recovered ice cores, brine and sediment samples from the lake using clean drilling procedures to avoid contamination.[6]

The lake itself has no permanent settlements or infrastructure. The nearby Lake Vida Meteorological Station is unmanned, sending meteorological data to McMurdo Dry Valleys Long Term Ecological Research organization. The closest human settlement is Scott Base McMurdo approximately 125 kilometres (78 mi) away.[7] In addition to the unmanned observation station, a 5-day emergency supply of food for 6 people is cached 600 metres (2,000 ft) from the southwestern shore.[8] Research teams establish temporary camps from which research activities are conducted on short term basis in the summer months.

Composition

[edit]

Lake Vida does not possess many factors attributed to the existence of life formations. Lake Vida contains high levels of nitrous oxide (N2O) and also molecular hydrogen (H2). The chemicals are believed to be released from chemical reactions between the brine and underlying sediments. The molecular hydrogen may be crucial as an energy source for life in the lake and aids in justifying the presence of life in an oxygen-deprived environment.[9]

Hydrology

[edit]

Lake Vida has at least three named inflows: Victoria River, Kite Stream, and Dune Creek. Victoria River passes through the Vida Basin into Victoria Valley, Victoria Land as ephemeral glacial meltwater from the Upper Victoria Glacier, draining from Victoria Upper Lake, 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) to the northwest, to finally drain into the west end of Lake Vida. Kite Stream is also located in the Vida Basin and flows as ephemeral glacial meltwater west from the Victoria Lower Glacier into the east end of Lake Vida. The United States Geological Survey's Atlas of Antarctic Research maps up to nine Lake Vida inflows or outflows including Victoria River and Kite Stream. The inflows and outflows are normally dry due to average annual temperatures down to −30 °C (−22 °F) at Lake Vida. Meltwater flows for a few weeks in the summer months when temperatures rise sufficiently for the nearby glaciers to melt. The McMurdo Dry Valleys are classified as extreme desert. The area receives less than 10 centimetres (3.9 in) of snow precipitation a year, in the form of snow that builds the nearby glaciers.

Geology

[edit]

Main geological features

[edit]

In the vicinity of Lake Vida, a variety of geological features are noted, the most significant being glaciers, lakes, valleys, ridges, and summits. There are approximately 25 named glaciers within a 25 kilometres (16 mi) radius with the nearest being Upper Victoria Glacier, Packard Glacier, Clark Glacier, and Clio Glacier. In the same radius, there are approximately 14 named ridges with the nearest being Robertsons Ridge, Helios Ridge, and Nottage Ridge. In addition to Victoria Valley, there are 16 named valleys with the nearest being Sanford Valley, Barwick Valley and McKelvey Valley. In addition to Upper Victoria Lake that feeds Lake Vida with meltwater, there are approximately 11 other lakes, the nearest being Lake Thomas. The summits around Lake Vida are as follows, Mautino Peak, Mount Saga, Mount Allen, Mount Theseus, Mount Cerberus, Mount Insel, Nickell Peak, and Sponsors Peak.

Other geological features

[edit]

Other more minor features include benches, cliffs, gaps, and streams.[10] The Victoria Valley dunefield, an approximately 1.5 km2 belt which is about 3.1 km long, lies to the east of Lake Vida. It is an important site for research into the landforms and processes of perennial niveo-aeolian environments.[11]

Natural history

[edit]

Kite Stream is named after a researcher, James Kite, who found numerous meteorites in the area (1977–1978).[12]

History

[edit]

Lake Vida lies north of Mount Cerberus in the Victoria Valley of Victoria Land. Named by the Victoria University of Wellington Antarctic Expedition (1958–59) after Vida (Vaida), a sledge dog of the Nimrod Expedition, 1910-13.[13] Lake Vida was originally thought to be frozen to the lakebed.[14]

Life

[edit]

Scientists have found life in an Antarctic Lake Vida that was sealed off from the outside world by a thick sheet of ice several thousands of years ago.[15][16] The discovery of the ecosystem pushes the boundaries of what life can endure, and may inform the search for alien microbes on other planets, such as Mars, or on icy moons, for instance, Jupiter's moon Europa.

Species lists

[edit]

The following eukaryote species have been catalogued within 1 degree[17] of Lake Vida:

Kingdom Animalia

Kingdom Fungi

Kingdom Plantae

Kingdom Protista

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Doran PT, Fritsen CH, McKay CP, Priscu JC, Adams EE (January 2003). "Formation and character of an ancient 19-m ice cover and underlying trapped brine in an "ice-sealed" east Antarctic lake". Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 100 (1): 26–31. Bibcode:2003PNAS..100...26D. doi:10.1073/pnas.222680999. PMC 140872. PMID 12518052. Figure 1: Bathymetric map of Lake Vida
  2. ^ Annika Mosier Archived 2006-05-26 at the Wayback Machine at Desert Research Institute
  3. ^ National Science Foundation press release for Doran et al. (2003)
  4. ^ Lake Vida Meteorology Station Archived 2004-03-24 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ 360° Panorama Archived 2006-09-03 at the Wayback Machine from Lake Vida Meteorologic Station
  6. ^ "Digging deeper below Antarctica's Lake Vida". PhysOrg.com. September 14, 2009.
  7. ^ Contaminents in Freezing Ground Archived 2006-08-31 at the Wayback Machine, Sanpe et al.
  8. ^ NASA Quest Archived 2009-04-27 at the Wayback Machine, the Lake Vida cache
  9. ^ [1], Sanpe et al.
  10. ^ USGS USGS Atlas of Antarctic Research Archived 2005-10-01 at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ Mary C. Bourke; Ryan C. Ewing; David Finnegan; Hamish A. McGowan (15 August 2009). "Sand dune movement in the Victoria Valley, Antarctica". Geomorphology. 109 (3–4). Elsevier: 148–160. Bibcode:2009Geomo.109..148B. doi:10.1016/j.geomorph.2009.02.028.
  12. ^ Kite Stream Archived 2007-09-26 at the Wayback Machine, Australian Antarctic Data Center
  13. ^ Australian Antarctic Data Centre SCAR Gazetteer Archived 2007-09-26 at the Wayback Machine Reference No 15493
  14. ^ Synthetic Aperture Radar detection of changes in ice and soil surfaces, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica Archived 2006-08-18 at the Wayback Machine
  15. ^ Sample, Ian (26 November 2012). "Antarctic lake find pushes known boundaries of what life can endure". The Guardian.
  16. ^ Murray, Alison E.; et al. (Dec 11, 2012). "Microbial life at −13 °C in the brine of an ice-sealed Antarctic lake". PNAS. 109 (50): 20626–20631. Bibcode:2012PNAS..10920626M. doi:10.1073/pnas.1208607109. PMC 3528574. PMID 23185006.
  17. ^ Australian Antarctic Data Center, SCAR Gazetteer

References

[edit]
[edit]
Resources
News items
Photographs
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