NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Sediment oxygen profiles in a super-oxygenated antarctic lakePerennially ice-covered lakes are found in the McMurdo Dry Valleys of southern Victoria Land, Antarctica. In contrast to temperate lakes that have diurnal photic periods, antarctic (and arctic) lakes have a yearly photic period. An unusual feature of the antarctic lakes is the occurrence of O2 at supersaturated levels in certain portions of the water column. Here we report the first sediment O2 profiles obtained using a microelectrode from a perennially ice-covered antarctic lake. Sediment cores collected in January and October 1987 from Lake Hoare in Taylor Valley show oxygenation down to 15, and in some cases, 25 cm. The oxygenation of sediments several centimeters below the sediment-water interface is atypical for lake sediments and may be characteristic of perennially ice-covered lakes. There is a significant difference between the observed January and October sediment O2 profiles. Several explanations may account for the difference, including seasonality. A time-dependent model is presented which tests the feasibility of a seasonal cycle resulting from the long photoperiod and benthic primary production in sediments overlain by a highly oxygenated water column.
Document ID
20040089736
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Wharton, R. A. Jr
(Desert Research Institute Reno, Nevada 89506, United States)
Meyer, M. A.
McKay, C. P.
Mancinelli, R. L.
Simmons, G. M. Jr
Wharton RA, J. r.
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
June 1, 1994
Publication Information
Publication: Limnology and oceanography
Volume: 39
Issue: 4
ISSN: 0024-3590
Subject Category
Exobiology
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-1947
CONTRACT_GRANT: OPP92-11773
CONTRACT_GRANT: DPP 84-1630
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
NASA Center ARC
Non-NASA Center
NASA Discipline Exobiology
NASA Center HQS

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available