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The biogeochemistry of meltwater habitats in the Darwin Glacier region (80 degrees S), Victoria Land, Antarctica
Citation
Webster-Brown, J and Gall, M and Gibson, J and Wood, S and Hawes, I, The biogeochemistry of meltwater habitats in the Darwin Glacier region (80 degrees S), Victoria Land, Antarctica, Antarctic Science, 22, (6) pp. 646-661. ISSN 0954-1020 (2010) [Refereed Article]
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Copyright Statement
Copyright 2010 Antarctic Science Ltd
DOI: doi:10.1017/S0954102010000787
Abstract
Meltwater habitats in the Darwin Glacier region, Victoria Land (808S), were sampled in December 2007 and January 2009 to characterize their microbial and metazoan ecology, nutrient status and geochemistry. Targeted areas included terrestrial ponds of the Grant Valley, Lake Wellman, Tentacle Ridge
and Diamond Hill, and supraglacial ponds and cryoconite holes of the lower Darwin Glacier. Geochemistry ranged from Na-Cl dominated terrestrial ponds to Na-HCO3 dominated, dilute supraglacial ponds and cryoconites. All showed the nitrate enrichment typical of inland ponds of Victoria Land (up to 13 g.l-1
NO3-N), with some precipitating nitratine (NaNO3) salt. Elevated pH indicated ongoing photosynthetic processes. Benthic microbial mats were thin and poorly developed, dominated by oscillatoriacean cyanobacteria. Nitrogen-fixing genera were generally absent and diatoms were rare. A large (20 mm long)
Cyanothece species was the most abundant cyanobacterium in the water and in sediments of the cryoconites. DNA finger-printing identified distinct differences in cyanobacterial and bacterial community
structure between the cryoconites, terrestrial ponds and ponds on glacial margins. Eleven metazoan species were identified, with rotifers being the most abundant. Pond substrate (terrestrial rock, ice-cored moraine or
supraglacial ice) proved to be a more significant influence on biogeochemistry than other aspects of geography or climatic conditions.
Item Details
| Item Type: | Refereed Article |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | cryoconite, cyanobacteria, metazoa, nitrate, supraglacial |
| Research Division: | Environmental Sciences |
| Research Group: | Ecological applications |
| Research Field: | Landscape ecology |
| Objective Division: | Environmental Management |
| Objective Group: | Management of Antarctic and Southern Ocean environments |
| Objective Field: | Biodiversity in Antarctic and Southern Ocean environments |
| UTAS Author: | Gibson, J (Dr John Gibson) |
| ID Code: | 66531 |
| Year Published: | 2010 |
| Web of Science® Times Cited: | 21 |
| Deposited By: | TAFI - Marine Research Laboratory |
| Deposited On: | 2011-02-01 |
| Last Modified: | 2012-08-03 |
| Downloads: | 1 View Download Statistics |
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