Freshwater lakes of Ulu Peninsula, James Ross Island, north-east Antarctic Peninsula:origin, geomorphology and physical and chemical limnology

This study describes the origin, bedrock geology, geomorphology, hydrological stability and physical and chemical characteristics of a representative set of 29 lakes in the ice-free parts of the Ulu Peninsula, James Ross Island, located close to the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. Based on...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:Antarctic Science
Main Authors: Nedbalová, L. (Linda), Nývlt, D., Kopáček, J. (Jiří), Šobr, M., Elster, J. (Josef)
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: 2013
Subjects:
Conductivity
deglaciation
lake origin
Antarctic
Antarctic Peninsula
Cirque Lakes
Ross Island
The Antarctic
Ulu Peninsula
Antarc*
James Ross Island
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954102012000934
http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0222852
Description
Summary:This study describes the origin, bedrock geology, geomorphology, hydrological stability and physical and chemical characteristics of a representative set of 29 lakes in the ice-free parts of the Ulu Peninsula, James Ross Island, located close to the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. Based on these features, six different types of lakes were defined: stable shallow lakes on higher-altitude levelled surfaces, shallow coastal lakes, stable lakes in old moraines, small unstable lakes in young moraines, deep cirque lakes and kettle lakes. We observed a significant relationship between lake type and water chemistry. Bedrock, lake age and morphometry together with altitude were the most important factors underlying the observed limnological variability. Our results further suggested possible nitrogen limitation in the lake ecosystems. However, physical factors such as low temperature and light were also likely to be limiting.

Similar Items