Vladimir Putin has been given a sample of the mysterious water of Lake Vostok, now back in Russia.

They have the first sample of water from Lake Vostok and scientists  are now heading back to Russia. They won't be back in Antarctica until next Summer, but there will be plenty to do at home  as they have 40 liters of ancient water that offers the first chance to glimpse the secrets of Lake Vostok.

The concern from some is that the water itself may have gotten contaminated by some of the kerosene and freon used in the drilling process. Drilling for this water has spanned two decades, so the discovery of some of it comes as a major discovery.

Interestingly , although temperatures  at the Vostok station, where researchers work, are among "the coldest ever recorded on Earth," reaching minus  128 degrees Fahrenheit,.the underwater lake itself is believed to be quite warm, apparently because of the giant pressure of the ice crust and geothermal energy underneath .

And what may they find ? What makes this so exciting? If there is anything living in the lake, bacteria, microbes, then its been untouched by the rest of the world for millions of years.. "It's like exploring another planet, except this one is ours," Columbia University's Robin Bell tells the AP.

First image credit :mnn.com