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Summary

This dataset contains temperature profile data from 16 saline lakes of the Vestfold Hills, Antarctica. The data were obtained during the 1985-86 summer season and the latter half of 1987. These lakes can be grouped into two classes: those with maximum salinities (anywhere in the water column) greater than 100g kg-1 (ppt) and those with less. The saltier group are usually shallower, ... tend to be warmer in summer, colder in winter and have thinner ice cover.

Salinity gradients in the water column can completely dominate temperature gradients as determinants of density and thus warmer water is not infrequently found beneath colder water. Temperature, in this situation, can be a sensitive tracer of brine movements. Winter freeze-out of brines during the growth of surface ice can produce both a deepened well-mixed layer and discrete brine flows from the lake edge to intermediate depths of equivalent density near the lakes deepest point. The process is clearly shown in the profiles of Organic Lake.

This dataset provides thermal structure data for the sixteen lakes studied in the Vestfold Hills. Other previous studies have investigated biological and physical properties of these lakes. Depth and temperature profile measurements were made at 16 saline lakes, while they were covered with ice. Holes were drilled using a Jiffy ice Drill, and the zero level for each cast was taken at the water/ice interface. All temperatures are reported in degrees centigrade. During the 1995-96 summer season, temperature and depth data for the profiles (except for Pendant Lake) were measured using a Yeo-Kal model 606 submersible data logger (SDL). The SDL was usually lowered in discrete intervals and held stationary for 15-20 seconds, providing 3 to 4 temperature and depth registrations for each depth, only one data point for each depth is given. Temperature measurements at Pendant Lake were made using a Phox oxygen/temperature metre model number 62 TE. In 1987, profiles were taken using a Platypus conductivity-temperature-depth recording unit (Platypus Engineering, Loyetea, Tasmania). The unit was lowered in measured 10 cm intervals and held at each depth for 30 seconds, recording every 5 seconds. The online data also provides data for other parameters.

The fields in this dataset are:
Depth
Temperature
Lake
Salinity
Oxic/Anoxic Boundary
Mixing Status

Related URL

Link: GET DATA Description: Download page for Australian Antarctic Data Centre Link: GET SERVICE Description: Lakes Database Link: VIEW RELATED INFORMATION Description: Citation reference for this metadata record and dataset

Geographic Coverage Spatial coordinates   

N: -68.0		S: -69.0		E: 79.0		W: 78.0
Min Depth: 0 M Max Depth: 51.4 M

Temporal Coverage

Start Date: 1985-12-01 Stop Date: 1987-12-31

Location Keywords

CONTINENT > ANTARCTICA > Vestfold Hills GEOGRAPHIC REGION > POLAR

Science Keywords

TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE > SURFACE WATER > LAKES TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE > WATER QUALITY/WATER CHEMISTRY > WATER TEMPERATURE

ISO Topic Category

ENVIRONMENT GEOSCIENTIFIC INFORMATION INLAND WATERS

Platform

FIELD SURVEYS

Quality

The two image maps with the dataset should not be used as navigational maps.
They provide an indication only as to where the field sites are.

Access Constraints

Data are available for download via the url given below. Presently a summary of the data are available in the Lakes Database (the url is below). A hard copy of the data are available in the publication referenced below.

Use Constraints

Must be cited properly.

Ancillary Keywords

ANTARCTICA DEPTH LAKE LAKES MIXING STATUS OXIC/ANOXIC BOUNDARY SALINE SALINITY TEMPERATURE VESTFOLD HILLS

Data Set Progress

COMPLETE

Originating Center

AAD

Data Center

Australian Antarctic Data Centre, Australia Data Center URL: http://data.aad.gov.au Data Center Personnel Name: DATA OFFICER AADC Phone: +61 3 6232 3244 Fax: +61 3 6232 3351 Email: metadata at aad.gov.au Contact Address: Australian Antarctic Division 203 Channel Highway City: Kingston Province or State: Tasmania Postal Code: 7050 Country: Australia

Distribution

Distribution Media: HTTP Distribution Size: 392 KB Distribution Format: zip

Personnel

HARRY BURTON Role: TECHNICAL CONTACT Phone: +61 3 6232 3339 Fax: +61 3 6232 3351 Email: harry.burton at aad.gov.au Contact Address: Australian Antarctic Division 203 Channel Highway City: Kingston Province or State: Tasmania Postal Code: 7050 Country: Australia JOHN GIBSON Role: INVESTIGATOR Role: TECHNICAL CONTACT Role: DIF AUTHOR Phone: +61 3 6226 7488 Fax: +61 3 6226 2973 Email: John.gibson at utas.edu.au Contact Address: IASOS Private Bag 77 University of Tasmania City: Hobart Province or State: Tasmania Postal Code: 7001 Country: Australia JOHN VAN DEN HOFF Role: TECHNICAL CONTACT Phone: +61 3 6232 3447 Fax: +61 3 6232 3351 Email: john_van at aad.gov.au Contact Address: 203 Channel Highway Australian Antarctic Division City: Kingston Province or State: Tasmania Postal Code: 7050 Country: Australia JOHN FERRIS Role: TECHNICAL CONTACT City: Kingston Province or State: Tasmania Postal Code: 7050 Country: Australia

Publications/References

Gibson, J.A.E., Ferris, J.M., van den Hoff, J., Burton, H.R. (1989) Temperature profiles of saline lakes of the Vestfold Hills. ANARE Research Notes 67.

Creation and Review Dates

DIF Creation Date: 1999-10-07 Last DIF Revision Date: 2008-04-10

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