[Personnel: Last_Name='HOWARD-WILLIAMS', First_Name='CLIVE']
Biological, physical and chemical parameters in water and microbial mat samples from ponds in Victoria Valley
 Entry ID: K081_2003_2005_NZ_2

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Summary
Abstract: Water and microbial mat communities of the ponds in the Victoria Valley was investigated to test the hypothesis that the gradient in climatic severity associated with latitudinal and altitudinal gradients drives a corresponding gradient of biological diversity and productivity. The biological, physical and chemical parameters of three ponds near the outflow from Lake Victoria were sampled in mid-January. Although many ponds were present close to the stream connecting the Upper Victoria Lake to Lake Vida, they were very similar in character. Two ponds were sampled with aspects of the water column measured to describe depth related changes in temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH and redox potential. A fine scale profile (10cm depth intervals) of water samples to analyse for major ions in relation to changes in conductivity with depth and between ponds. Aspects of biology analysis in water samples were for phytoplankton chlorophyll a, PNPP, PNPC and dissolved nutrients. One pond was seen to be different in colour and chemical characteristics and detailed in situ measurements were made of conductivity, temperature and dissolved oxygen at 2cm intervals. Water samples were collected for later chemical analysis. Sediment samples were also collected from the base of three ponds. Salts were visible in the polygonal frost cracks in the valley floor and a sample of these salts was collected for comparison with the pond salts. Additional samples were collected for biochemistry and biology from sites along the river itself where cyanobacterial mat development was extensive. The following season, the same ponds were sampled in mid-October specifically to collect samples of the highly saline basal brine which occurs below the ice of the predominantly frozen pond over winter. Temperature, conductivity, pH and dissolved oxygen concentration were measured at various depths. Basal brine and melted ice samples were analysed for major ions and nutrients and trace metals. Ice cores were collected from one pond for analysis of salt content, salt inclusion, ice structure and dissolved gases.

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Link: VIEW PROJECT HOME PAGE


Geographic Coverage
 N: -77.3402 S: -77.3402  E: 161.6369  W: 161.6369

Temporal Coverage
Start Date: 2004-01-19
Stop Date: 2004-01-22

Start Date: 2004-10-19
Stop Date: 2004-10-20


Location Keywords
CONTINENT > ANTARCTICA
CONTINENT > ANTARCTICA > VICTORIA VALLEY
GEOGRAPHIC REGION > POLAR


Science Keywords
BIOSPHERE >TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS >WETLANDS    [Definition]
TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE >WATER QUALITY/WATER CHEMISTRY >CHLOROPHYLL    [Definition]
TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE >WATER QUALITY/WATER CHEMISTRY >CONDUCTIVITY    [Definition]
TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE >WATER QUALITY/WATER CHEMISTRY >DISSOLVED GASES    [Definition]
TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE >WATER QUALITY/WATER CHEMISTRY >NUTRIENTS    [Definition]
TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE >WATER QUALITY/WATER CHEMISTRY >PH    [Definition]
TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE >WATER QUALITY/WATER CHEMISTRY >WATER TEMPERATURE    [Definition]
BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION >BACTERIA/ARCHAEA >CYANOBACTERIA (BLUE-GREEN ALGAE)    [Definition]
BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION >PLANTS >MICROALGAE    [Definition]
BIOSPHERE >ECOLOGICAL DYNAMICS >SPECIES/POPULATION INTERACTIONS >EVOLUTIONARY ADAPTATION    [Definition]
BIOSPHERE >ECOLOGICAL DYNAMICS >ECOSYSTEM FUNCTIONS >PHOTOSYNTHESIS    [Definition]


ISO Topic Category
BIOTA
INLAND WATERS


Platform
FIELD SURVEYS    [Information]
FIELD INVESTIGATION    [Information]


Data Set Progress
COMPLETE


Data Center
Antarctica New Zealand, New Zealand Antarctic Institute, New Zealand    [Information]
Data Center URL: http://www.antarcticanz.govt.nz/

Data Center Personnel
Name: SHULAMIT GORDON
 Phone: +64 3 358 0200
Fax: +64 3 358 0211
Email: s.gordon at antarcticanz.govt.nz
Contact Address:
Antarctica New Zealand
Private Bag 4745
 City: Christchurch
Country: New Zealand


Personnel
BRIAN SORRELL
Role: INVESTIGATOR
Phone: +64 3 343 7802
Fax: +64 3 348 5548
Email: b.sorrell at niwa.co.nz
Contact Address:
NIWA
PO BOX 11-115
City: Christchurch
Country: New Zealand


IAN HAWES
Role: INVESTIGATOR
Email: AquaticResearchSolutions at gmail.com
Email: ian.hawes at canterbury.ac.nz
Contact Address:
Waterways Centre for Freshwater Management
University of Canterbury
City: Christchurch
Country: New Zealand


CLIVE HOWARD-WILLIAMS
Role: INVESTIGATOR
Phone: +64 3 343 7857
Fax: +64 3 348 5548
Email: c.howard-williams at niwa.co.nz
Contact Address:
NIWA
PO BOX 8602
City: Christchurch
Country: New Zealand


CEISHA POIROT
Role: DIF AUTHOR
Phone: +64 3 358 0200
Fax: +64 3 358 0211
Email: c.poirot at antarcticanz.govt.nz
Contact Address:
Antarctica New Zealand
Private Bag 4745
City: Christchurch
Country: New Zealand


SHULAMIT GORDON
Role: DIF AUTHOR
Phone: +64 3 358 0200
Fax: +64 3 358 0211
Email: s.gordon at antarcticanz.govt.nz
Contact Address:
Antarctica New Zealand
Private Bag 4745
City: Christchurch
Country: New Zealand


Publications/References
Healy, M. The physical and geochemical properties of glacial meltwater ponds in the Dry Valleys, Antarctica. M.Sc., University of Auckland : . 2005.

Healy, M. Webster-Brown, J.G. Brown, K.L. Lane, V. Chemistry and stratification of Antarctic meltwater ponds II: Inland ponds in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Victoria Land.Antarctic science 18(4): 525-533, 2006.

Hawes, I. Schwarz, A.-M. Sutherland, D. Howard-Williams, C. Aquatic ecosystems of the McMurdo Dry Valleys - the edge of survival. Water and atmosphere 11(3): 18-19, 2003.

Howards-Williams, C. And Hawes, I. 2007. Ecological processes in Antarctic inland waters: interactions between physical processes and the nitrogen cycle. Antarctic Science 19: 205-217.

Creation and Review Dates
DIF Creation Date: 2009-01-09
Last DIF Revision Date: 2009-01-13

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