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Hydrogeochemical characteristics at Cape Lamb, Vega Island, Antarctic Peninsula

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2012

L. Moreno*
Affiliation:
Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, Ríos Rosas 23, 28003 Madrid, Spain
A. Silva-Busso
Affiliation:
Instituto Nacional de Agua, Empalme J. Newbery km 1, 620, Ezeiza, Buenos Aires, Argentina
J. López-Martínez
Affiliation:
Facultad de Ciencias Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain
J.J. Durán-Valsero
Affiliation:
Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, Ríos Rosas 23, 28003 Madrid, Spain
C. Martínez-Navarrete
Affiliation:
Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, Ríos Rosas 23, 28003 Madrid, Spain
J.A. Cuchí
Affiliation:
Escuela Politécnica de Huesca, Universidad de Zaragoza, Carretera de Cuarte s/n, 22071 Huesca, Spain
E. Ermolin
Affiliation:
Instituto Antártico Argentino, Cerrito 1248, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Abstract

Environmental changes in the northern Antarctic Peninsula provide a sensitive local indicator of climate warming. A consequence of these changes is the activation of surface and subsurface hydrological cycles in areas where water, in colder conditions, would remain frozen. This paper analyses the effects of hydrological cycle activation at Cape Lamb, Vega Island. The conclusions are based on hydrochemistry and isotope interpretation of 51 representative water samples from precipitation, streams, lakes, ice, snow and groundwater. Based on these results relationships between the different components of the hydrological cycle are proposed. This paper highlights the important contribution of groundwater to surface water chemistry, the disconnection of the lakes from the overall flow, the lack of an ocean spray signature in surface water and groundwater and the significant influence of windblown dust in the composition of the analysed waters.

Type
Earth Sciences
Copyright
Copyright © Antarctic Science Ltd 2012

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