Evaluation of Coliform and Faecal Coliform Bacteria in the Lakes of Broknes and Grovnes Peninsula, East Antarctica

Abstract

More than 150 lakes on different peninsulas and islands are situated in the Larsemann Hills. The Larsemann Hills is an ice-free area and are located halfway between the Vestfold Hills and the Amery Ice Shelf on the southeastern coast of Prydz Bay, Princess Elizabeth Land, and East Antarctica. During 34th Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica (ISEA) from 2014 to 2015, twenty lake water samples in triplicates were collected from the Broknes & Grovnes peninsula. Coliform and fecal coliform bacteria were analyzed in these samples. Out of twenty, eleven lake water samples were found to be contaminated with coliform bacteria. However, fecal coliform bacteria were absent in all the lake water samples. Coliforms are found in the lakes of Broknes peninsula (P2 Lake & P3 Lake) and Grovnes peninsula (L1C NG, L1D NG, L1E NG, L7 NG, L7A NG, L7B NG, L2 SG, L4 SG & L5 SG). Antarctic lakes water is being polluted due to anthropogenic activities caused by various research activities and tourism. The present study confirms the presence of coliform bacteria in the lakes of East Antarctica which indicates an alarming situation and needs to be investigated further.

Keywords

• east antarctica, larsemann hills, coliforms, faecal coliforms, broknes and grovnes peninsula lake water