Limnology of Bird Pond,Ross Island,Antarctica

The physical, chemical and biological properties of Bird Pond, Cape Bird, Ross Island, Antarctica (77° 13’ 10” S, 166° 28’ 30” E), were investigated at weekly intervals for 2 months in the summer of 1970–71. The above properties were also investigated over a 24‐h period. Salinity and temperature tolerance of the rotifer Philodina gregaria were investigated in the laboratory at Cape Bird.

Bird Pond is characterised by a high conductivity and chloride ion concentration, and an alkaline pH. It has a water temperature as high as 15°c in mid summer, with the bottom water temperature often 3°c higher than the surface temperature. Diurnal measurements suggest a vertical movement of phytoplankton during a 24‐h period. P. gregaria survives ionic concentrations up to 250 000 g.m^‐3 Na⁺ + Cl^‐, and water temperatures up to 32°c.