General Characteristics of the Antarctic Lakes near Syowa Station

Abstract

Limnological studies were carried out in the 1972 winter to know general characteristics of the Antarctic water system and geochemical feature of the Antarctic lakes located in the ice-free areas of the east coast of Lutzow-Holm Bay. The water samples were collected from September to November when the surface of the lakes was covered with the ice. The thickness of the lake ice, the depth of the lakes and the water temperature were measured on the spot. pH and electric-conductivity were measured at Syowa Station after melting the frozen water samples, but most of the chemical analysis was conducted at the laboratory of our Department after were carried back the samples in frozen state, employing general and conventional analytical methods. Chemical components of the lakes varied considerably, ranging from 1.3 mg/l to 210 g/l on the chloride ion concentration. Most of the high saline lakes in this area seems to be relict lakes.