TV Review : ‘Nature’ Profiles Newly Explored Antarctic Life Forms

It’s being claimed that “Under the Ice,” the latest episode of “Nature,” represents the first time that cameras have explored the waters beneath the Antarctic icecap. As you might imagine, the incredible cold has been the problem. The temperature down there, we’re told, is actually a bit below freezing. Even with their special dry suits, the divers (from New Zealand) had to limit their time under water to half an hour twice daily.

Despite the frigidity, life flourishes down there. Not plants--there isn’t enough sunlight to sustain them. But the seabed is covered with animals that look like unearthly plants--sponges, anemones, corals--and here too are fish that pack their own anti-freeze. Bordered by the colorful carpet below and the translucent ceiling of ice above, this world is an eerie, ethereally beautiful one.

“Under the Ice” (which airs Sunday at 7 p.m. on Channel 50 and at 8 p.m. on Channel 15, and Monday at 8 p.m. on Channels 28 and 24) shows off this world well. The documentary also explores, again for the first time, the underwater ice caverns inhabited by the weddell seal--as well as, more briefly, the lichen, mites and other microscopic life on nearby land.

This is a quietly absorbing hour, revealing a part of this planet that is at the same time forboding yet soothing to watch--an ancient, stable ecosystem. Of course, the first steps at exploitation are well under way, and among the documentary’s sights are the divers and scientists slicing chunks off sponges and drawing fluids from giant cods to find out what use can be made of them.

No place is safe, but it’s nice to see that one area of earth remains relatively undisturbed by the relentless intrusion of mankind--even if, ironically, we could not see it at all if cameras had not intruded.