Distribution of major, minor and trace elements in lake environments of Antarctica

The concentrations of major, minor and trace metals were measured in water samples collected from five shallow Antarctic lakes (Carezza, Edmonson Point (No 14 and 15a), Inexpressible Island and Tarn Flat) found in Terra Nova Bay (northern Victoria Land, Antarctica) during the Italian Expeditions of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Antarctic Science
Main Authors: ABOLLINO O, BUOSO S, GASPARON M, GREEN W. J, MALANDRINO M, MENTASTI E., ACETO, Maurizio
Other Authors: Abollino, O, Aceto, Maurizio, Buoso, S, Gasparon, M, Green, W. J., Malandrino, M, Mentasti, E.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: 2004
Subjects:
Antarctic
East Antarctica
Victoria Land
McMurdo Dry Valleys
Terra Nova Bay
Larsemann Hills
Edmonson Point
Inexpressible Island
Tarn Flat
Carezza
Antarc*
Antarctica
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/11579/16390
https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954102004002111
Description
Summary:The concentrations of major, minor and trace metals were measured in water samples collected from five shallow Antarctic lakes (Carezza, Edmonson Point (No 14 and 15a), Inexpressible Island and Tarn Flat) found in Terra Nova Bay (northern Victoria Land, Antarctica) during the Italian Expeditions of 1993-2001. The total concentrations of a large suite of elements (Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ga, Gd, K, La, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nd, Ni, Pb, Pr, Rb, Sc, Si, Sr, Ta, Ti, U, V, Y, W, Zn and Zr) were determined using spectroscopic techniques (ICP-AES, GF-AAS and ICP-MS). The results are similar to those obtained for the freshwater lakes of the Larsemann Hills, East Antarctica, and for the McMurdo Dry Valleys. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Cluster Analysis (CA) were performed to identify groups of samples with similar characteristics and to find correlations between the variables. The variability observed within the water samples is closely connected to the sea spray input; hence, it is primarily a consequence of geographical and meteorological factors, such as distance from the ocean and time of year. The trace element levels, in particular those of heavy metals, are very low, suggesting an origin from natural sources rather than from anthropogenic contamination.

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