Anticipated sub-bottom geology of Lake Vostok and technological approaches considered for sampling

Abstract

Sedimentary strata contain a unique record of environmental and climatic changes in Central Antarctica over the past 20–30 Ma and their sampling and study is of utmost importance. The lake beneath Vostok Station (thickness of water layer) is estimated as 600 m and sediment thickness as less than a few hundred meters. Strict environmental safety requirements preclude the use of conventional drilling technology to avoid drilling fluid contaminating the lake water, and thus the development of special technology is imperative. This paper provides a predictive geological cross-section of southern Lake Vostok and the potential sub-bottom strata including a technical solution for lake bottom sampling in 5 G borehole at Vostok Station.