An isotopic and chemical study of Lake Vanda and Don Juan Pond, Antarctica
Abstract
Temperature measurements made in Lake Vanda and in the lake subbottom sediments show that the high temperatures in the lake are not due to geothermal heat flow, but are probably trapped solar energy. On the basis of Sr-87/86 ratios the salts in Lake Vanda can be derived by a mixture of 58% weathered rock plus 42% from sea water or precipitation. Loss of efflorescences high in sodium, potassium and magnesium by high winds can yield the salt compositions present in both Lake Vanda and Don Juan Pond. From isotopic data on deuterium, O-18, C-13, Sr-87/86, S-34 as well as from chemical data on Lake Vanda waters, interstitial brines contained in the subsurface sediment and C-14 dates a lake history is proposed.
- Publication:
-
US Geological Survey Polar Res. Symp.
- Pub Date:
- 1983
- Bibcode:
- 1983usgs.symp...17F
- Keywords:
-
- Antarctic Regions;
- Geochemistry;
- Geochronology;
- Lakes;
- Limnology;
- Brines;
- Radioactive Age Determination;
- Sediments;
- Sodium Chlorides;
- Temperature Measurement