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Evidence for physical and chemical stratification in Lake Untersee (central Dronning Maud Land, East Antarctica)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 May 2004

U. Wand ,
G. Schwarz ,
E. Brüggemann  and
K. Bräuer
U. Wand
Affiliation:
Alfred-Wegener-Institute of Polar and Marine Research, Research Department Potsdam, Telegrafenberg A43, D-14473 Potsdam, Germany
G. Schwarz
Affiliation:
Institute of Tropospherical Research, Permoserstr. 15, D-04303 Leipzig, Germany
E. Brüggemann
Affiliation:
Institute of Tropospherical Research, Permoserstr. 15, D-04303 Leipzig, Germany
K. Bräuer
Affiliation:
Institute of Geophysics and Geology, Department of Geochemistry, University of Leipzig, Permoserstr. 15, D-04303 Leipzig, Germany
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Abstract

Lake Untersee is the largest freshwater lake in the interior of East Antarctica. It is a perennially ice-covered, max. 169 m deep, ultra-oligotrophic lake. In contrast to earlier studies, we found clear evidence for physical and chemical stratification in the summer of 1991–92. However, the stratification was restricted to a trough, c. 500 m wide and up to 105 m deep, in the south-western part of the lake. There, the water body was distinctly stratified as indicated by sharp vertical gradients of temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and electrical conductivity. The water column was anoxic below 80 m. The chemical stratification is also indicated by changes of ionic ratios. Moreover, there was some evidence for methanogenesis and bacterial sulphate reduction in Lake Untersee.

Keywords

chemistryEast Antarcticalakeslimnologystratificationwater
Type
Papers—Life Sciences and Oceanography
Information
Antarctic Science , Volume 9 , Issue 1 , March 1997 , pp. 43 - 45
Copyright
© Antarctic Science Ltd 1997

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