| Summary: | The Larsemann Hills is an ice-free area of approximately 50 km2, located halfway between the Vestfold Hills and the Amery Ice Shelf on the south-eastern coast of Prydz Bay, Princess Elizabeth Land, East Antarctica (69o30’S, 76o19’58”E). The area consists of two major peninsulas Stornes and Broknes, four minor peninsulas, and approximately 130 near shore islands. There are more than 150 lakes on different peninsulas and islands.Surface water samples were collected from two lakes on Stornes Peninsula during 30th Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica (ISEA) in mid-January 2011 and analysed for the physico-chemical parameters, major elements and trace metals. Lake waters were slightly acid, free from any colour, odour and turbidity, with dissolved oxygen close to saturation. Total dissolved solids were rather similar in both lakes, up to 71 mg/l and the dominant elements were Cl and Ca. Several minor and trace elements were very low or under detection limits. Total organic carbon was ca 0.7 mg C/l in both lakes and PO4 was at 0.002 mg/level in one lake. Several pesticide residues were all under detection limits as well as alpha and beta radiation activities. Total bacterial count was 1.6×103cfu/ml in lake ST-2 and lower in other lake while psychrophilic bacterial count was 1.6×102cfu in the former lake. Also a Pseudomonas spp. was detected in the ST-2 lake sample.
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