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Algal composition, physico-chemical features, photosynthetic carbon metabolism, nitrogen cycling and the structure and metabolic properties of algal mats in lakes and streams of southern Victoria Land

Entry ID: K081_1983_1986_NZ_1

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Summary

Abstract: A three year study of lakes and stream of southern Victoria Land was conducted from 1983-1986. In the first season, the algal composition and physico-chemical characteristics of South Victoria Land Streams was investigated. Four rivers were visited in the coure of the summer, once early in the season before they had begun to flow, and then several weeks later when discharge was near to its annual ... maximum. An additional 8 streams were examined less intensively in the course of the season. These all include Adams, Whangamata, Onyx, Bird, Salmon, Bartley, Fryxell, Commonwealth, Stream CC1 and CC2, Harrison and Miers.

Specific studies included
1) Overwintering algal biomass: naturally freeze-dried algal mats were quantified by transect analysis and by chlorophyll a samples,
2) Chlorophyll a biomass levels: stream samples were taken from areas with visually maximum biomass at each site during early and late season and assayed by fluorometer or spectrophotometer,
3) Algal community structure: taxonomic analysis of the stream periphyton,
4) Algal growth and production: artificial substrates deployed and processed for chlorophyll a analysis, 5) Metabolic responses by Antarctic stream algae: recovery from freeze dry conditions (early season) and nutrient uptake by developed communities,
6) Dissolved organic carbon: measured from water samples,
7) Nutrient extraction from stream bed soils: nitrogen and phosphorous released after soaking for 12 hours in glacier melt water,
8) Stream nutrient levels: chemical analysis of water samples,
9) Diurnal studies on variability in nutrient concentrations: monitoring stream parameters every three hours for a 26 hour period,
10) Lake Miers studies: a broad range of limnological measurements made at Lake Miers, possibly the southern most meromictic waterbody no the continent.

In the second season, studies were further extended on the epilithic algal and bacterial communities of southern Victoria Land streams to follow respiratory and photosynthetic carbon metabolism by communities at two select stream sites. Nitrogen cycling and photosynthetic metabolism in Lake Fryxell and Lake Vanda was also examined. In the third and final season, preliminary analysis of waters on the McMurdo Ice Shelf and the structure and metabolic properties of the stream algal mats, with special reference to temperature, light and nutrient effects and factors controlling nitrogen cycling, and photosynthesis in Dry Valley lakes (Lake Fryxell, Lake Vanda and Lake Miers), with particular attention to the deep chlorophyll maximum was studied.

Related URL

Link: VIEW PROJECT HOME PAGE

Geographic Coverage

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Spatial coordinates

N: -77.25

S: -78.25

E: 167.0

W: 161.0

Temporal Coverage

Start Date: 1983-11-05

Stop Date: 1984-01-20

Location Keywords

CONTINENT > ANTARCTICA

CONTINENT > ANTARCTICA > WRIGHT VALLEY

Science Keywords

TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE > WATER QUALITY/WATER CHEMISTRY > ALKALINITY

TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE > WATER QUALITY/WATER CHEMISTRY > CHLOROPHYLL

ISO Topic Category

BIOTA

INLAND WATERS

Platform

FIELD SURVEYS

FIELD INVESTIGATION

Ancillary Keywords

species composition

environmental characteristics

Data Set Progress

COMPLETE

Data Center

Antarctica New Zealand, New Zealand Antarctic Institute, New Zealand

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

Publications/References

Vincent, W.F. Vincent, C.L. 1982 Factors controlling phytoplankton production in Lake Vanda (77oS). Canadian journal of fisheries and aquatic sciences 30(12): 1602-1609

Creation and Review Dates

DIF Creation Date: 2009-01-09

Last DIF Revision Date: 2009-01-13

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