Matís participates in research on the ecosystem of the reservoir in Skaftárkötlar and oversees the sampling of its microbial flora. It is hoped that unknown species of micro-organisms (bacteria) can be found that can be further studied and used in biotechnology. The ice cap over the lagoon is about 300 meters thick and the lagoon about 100 meters deep and requires a special smelting drill to get through the ice cap.
For the past two summers, extensive research has been carried out in the Skaftár boilers at Vatnajökull. This is a collaborative project of several domestic and foreign companies and institutions, including Matís, the National Energy Authority, the Icelandic Meteorological Office, the Institute of Earth Sciences, the University of Hawaii and Montana State University, where Þorsteinn Þorsteinsson at the National Energy Authority has supervised the project.
Last year, measurements were made and drilled into the western Skaftár boiler and the important experience of that trip was used this year when drilling in the eastern boiler. The research expedition took place from 1 to 9 June and measurements were made on the eastern Skaftár boiler and Árni Rafn Rúnarsson, an employee of Matís microbial research, took part in the expedition and supervised sampling for research on the microbial flora of the reservoir. The expedition was extremely successful as the improved Vatnamælingar (OS) smelting drill was used and drilled into the boiler in two places, with good results.
300 meter thick ice cave
The ice shelf turned out to be about 300 meters thick and the lagoon in the boiler under the ice shelf measured about 100 meters deep. In addition, a new sample was used and samples were taken at different depths from the boiler for microbial and chemical measurements. As the lagoon is under the ice shelf of the glacier, this is a unique situation where such water under a glacier is very rare and there is a very isolated and well-preserved ecosystem.
The intention is to make the most of molecular molecular methods for the analysis of the microbial flora of the boiler, and it is even to be expected that there will be previously unknown types of microorganisms that can be further studied and used in biotechnology.
What are microorganisms. See more at Science website of the University of Iceland.
