Human impacts in Antarctica: trace-element geochemistry of freshwater lakes in the Larsemann Hills, East Antarctica |
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Authors: | M Gasparon J S Burgess |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Earth Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia e-mail: massimo@earthsciences.uq.edu.au, AU;(2) School of Geography and Oceanography, Australian Defence Force Academy, ACT 2600, Australia, AU |
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Abstract: | Fresh water lakes are found in basement rock basins in the Larsemann Hills, East Antarctica, during the summer months. These
lakes constitute a relatively simple natural laboratory to investigate the effects of recent and well-documented anthropogenic
impact on a “pristine” environment. Larsemann Hills freshwaters have extremely low salinity (typically <1‰), and contain very
low concentrations of trace elements of environmental significance such as Pb, U, and Zn. Typical Pb concentrations range
from less than 5 ppt to 250 ppt. Although trace metal concentrations appear to be higher in lakes situated in the vicinity
of stations, they are consistently lower (by several orders of magnitude, for some elements) than Standard International Drinking
Water Guidelines. The chemistry of the lake waters is dominated by sea-spray input. Consequently, it is primarily a function
of geographical factors, such as distance from the shore and exposure to winds. Shallow-level groundwater and surface water
also contribute to the lake chemistry. No evidence was found for contamination from global air circulation. Although contamination
resulting from activities at the research stations is generally near or below detection levels, very low levels of trace metal
anthropogenic contamination were found in the vicinity of some research stations.
Received: 13 November 1998 · Revised: 23 March 1999 Accepted: 12 April 1999 |
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Keywords: | Larsemann Hills Antarctica Trace metals Water geochemistry Anthropogenic contamination |
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