Limnological characteristics of the freshwater ecosystems of Byers Peninsula, Livingston Island, in maritime Antarctica

Summer season variability of dissolved oxygen concentration in Antarctic lakes rich in cyanobaterial mats

“…Absolute dissolved oxygen values (means for particular date) were slightly higher in 2010 (12.0 -19.0 mg l -1 ) than in 2009 (11.0 -14.5 mg l -1 ). This indicates, that oxygen was close to saturation point in both austral summer season -it is reported that for majority of Antarctic lakes, the value of 12.0 mg l -1 indicates saturation (Toro et al 2006).…”

“…pH, conductivity, alkalinity, total dissolved inorganic carbon, CO 2 , HCO 3 , NO 3 -N, NO 2 -N, NH 4 -N, PO 4 -P, total P, Ca, Mg, K, (see e.g. Toro et al 2006). In spite of the fact, that information on dissolved oxygen concentration in Antarctic lake occured as early as in 1986 (Wharton et al 1986), only limited number of studies has been published since that time on dissolved oxygen concentration in relation to microbial mat community size and structure, as well as variation of physical factors such as e.g.…”

Change in N and P Concentrations in Antarctic Streams as a Response to Change in Penguin Populations

“…Numerous other studies have yielded similar ranges of values (e.g. Howard-Williams et al 1989, Vinocur and Unrein 2000, Elster and Komarek 2003or Toro et al 2007). Like those in other climatic zones, the lotic waters of Antarctica are open ecosystems whose primary production is conditioned by the infl ux of allochthonous matter.…”

“…Equally, however, it is typical for marine aerosols to raise salinity levels -in the coastal zone in particular (Caulkett and Ellis-Evans 1997; Toro et al 2007). As Nędzarek and Rakusa-Suszczewski (2007) showed, average conductivity of rain on the least-elevated coastal terrace (at 2 m a.s.l.)…”

“…Thanks to the relatively weak buffering capacity of Antarctic streamwaters, even quite minimal changes in levels of primary production may give rise to marked changes in reaction (Toro et al 2007). As Elster and Komarek (2003) suggested, the acid reaction demonstrated for Ornithologists Creek may refl ect the decay of penguin guano in its catchment, as well as the infl ux of acidic waters infi ltrating ornithogenic soils demonstrated by Juchnowicz-Bierbasz (1999) and Juchnowicz-Bierbasz and Rakusa-Suszczewski (2002).…”