"This paper indicates that lakes may well be connected at irregular time intervals and that even an apparently isolated lake can breach and transfer water hundreds of kilometres to other distant lakes so the contamination potential in relation to small lakes is greater than we'd previously thought, " he said.

BBC: NEWS | Science/Nature | Secret rivers found in Antarctic

Gene transfer is an age-old concern of farmers, who've learned how to prevent pollen cross-contamination when necessary for commercial reasons.

FORBES: Food Fight