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The effects of high meltwater on the limnology of Lake Fryxell and Lake Hoare, Taylor Valley, Antarctica, as shown by dissolved gas, tritium and chlorofluorocarbons

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2014

Carolyn B. Dowling ,
Robert J. Poreda  and
W. Berry Lyons
Carolyn B. Dowling*
Affiliation:
Department of Geological Sciences, 2000 W. University Avenue, Ball State University, Muncie, IN 47304, USA
Robert J. Poreda
Affiliation:
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 227 Hutchison Hall, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, USA
W. Berry Lyons
Affiliation:
Byrd Polar Research Center, 108 Scott Hall, 1090 Carmack Road, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
*
[email protected]
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Abstract

Small changes in the availability of liquid water can have profound effects on the water levels, aqueous chemistry and biogeochemical dynamics of the closed-basin, perennially ice-covered lakes of the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica. We have compiled the published and unpublished data on dissolved gas, tritium and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) for Lake Fryxell and Lake Hoare to determine the effects of a high meltwater year (2001–02 summer) on the lakes. The dissolved gas, tritium and CFC data indicate that the pulse of freshwater that flowed onto the surfaces of the lakes did not mix extensively with the upper water column. At the bottom of Lake Hoare, the measurable CFC and lower dissolved gas values suggest that the recent meltwater may have mixed with bottom waters. The probable mechanism for this transportation is weak density currents with c. 0.1–1.5% surface water being transported downwards in Lake Hoare. This deep water input, while not constant, may have a significant effect on the chemistry of the bottom waters in Lake Hoare over time. In Lake Fryxell, the tritium and CFC data indicate that the recent meltwater did not significantly affect the bottom water chemistry; therefore, weak density currents may not be present in Lake Fryxell.

Keywords

aqueous geochemistrydensity currentsMcMurdo Dry Valleysphysical limnology
Type
Biological Sciences
Information
Antarctic Science , Volume 26 , Issue 4 , August 2014 , pp. 331 - 340
Copyright
Copyright © Antarctic Science Ltd 2014 

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