Impact of a newly-formed periglacial environment and other factors on fresh water chemistry at the western shore of Admiralty Bay in the summer of 2016 (King George Island, Maritime Antarctica)

Abstract

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the inorganic chemistry of flowing water at the western shore of Admiralty Bay. In the water samples, ions, and major and trace metals (and B) were detected and quantified. Additionally, the parameters of pH, specific electrolytic conductivity (SEC₂₅) and total organic carbon (TOC) were determined. Moreover, multivariate data set was created and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was performed. Generally, the water has low total content of the measured mineral constituents <100mgL^-1. PCA analysis we distinguished two groups of chemical variables shaping water chemistry in the investigated creeks: I - components of marine aerosol origin (presence of Na⁺, Cl^- and B) and II - those associated with chemical weathering processes (presence of Al and Fe). Furthermore, the results showed that the flowing water in the newly-formed periglacial areas (formed over the last 30years) are rich in easily soluble Al and Fe and have lower total measured contents of mineral constituents during the summer period than creeks in non-glacial catchments. Permafrost influence on water chemistry is difficult to identify. The rather insignificant difference between TOC concentrations in waters during summer indicates that permafrost is not a store of organic matter in the studied area. Moreover, local biological factors (lichens and mosses) and those limited to the sea-shore vicinity (seabirds and mammals activity) are significant sources of PO₄^3-, NO₃^-, and NH₄⁺. Despite the described geological and biological features influencing water chemistry, the impact of anthropogenic activity still needs to be verified, especially in terms of heavy metal concentrations.

Keywords: Admiralty Bay; Antarctica; Freshwater chemistry; Multivariate data analysis; Permafrost.