Hydrogeochemical characteristics at Cape Lamb, Vega Island, Antarctic Peninsula

• Published in: Antarctic Science
• Main Authors: Moreno Merino, Luis, Silva Buso, Adrián, López Martínez, Jerónimo, Durán Valsero, Juan José, Martínez Navarrete, Carlos, Cuchí Oterino, José Antonio, Ermolin, Eugeni
• Other Authors: Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España), Instituto Antártico Argentino
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press 2012
• Subjects: aquifer; hydrochemistry; hydrogeology; isotope; permafrost; soil; Cape Lamb; Isla Vega; Península Antártica; Antarctic; Antarctic Peninsula; Argentina; Vega Island; isla Vega; Antarc*; Antarctic Science; Antártica; Ice
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10261/277029; https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954102012000478; https://doi.org/10.13039/501100010964; https://doi.org/10.13039/501100004837

nvironmental changes in the northern Antarctic Peninsula provide a sensitive local indicator of climate warming. A consequence of these changes is the activation of surface and subsurface hydrological cycles in areas where water, in colder conditions, would remain frozen. This paper analyses the effects of hydrological cycle activation at Cape Lamb, Vega Island. The conclusions are based on hydrochemistry and isotope interpretation of 51 representative water samples from precipitation, streams, lakes, ice, snow and groundwater. Based on these results relationships between the different components of the hydrological cycle are proposed. This paper highlights the important contribution of groundwater to surface water chemistry, the disconnection of the lakes from the overall flow, the lack of an ocean spray signature in surface water and groundwater and the significant influence of windblown dust in the composition of the analysed waters Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, España Instituto Nacional de Agua, Argentina Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, España