Analysis of Antarctic Water Systems by Concentration Correlation Matrix

Abstract

Correlation among the water systems in Antarctica is analyzed by the correlation concentration matrix method. The method is a technique of matching the ratios of the elemental concentration of the sample with the equivalent ratios of other samples. The concentration ratios {x_} for the sample are formed by dividing the concentration of each element by that of the other element. {y_(kl)} is obtained by dividing each element of the concentration matrix for sample k by corresponding element of sample l. z_ is a correlation number, that is a proportion of the matrix element {y_(kl)} that meets the matching criterion. z_ has a value between 0 and 1. Using correlation numbers we can find generic relationship among Antarctic water systems. Some of examples are shown as follows. High correlation number is obtained between the water of Lake Nurume and the sea water. It suggests that the water of Lake Nurume was originated from sea water and has not been much changed. Also high correlation number is obtained between the Onyx Pond water and the inflow water of Lake Vanda. It means that the water of Onyx Pond is supplied from the melt water of glacier of the area. The data of correlation revealed that the water of the east lobe of Lake Bonney is different in origin from the water of the west lobe of the lake.