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Perennially ice-covered Lake Hoare, Antarctica: physical environment, biology and sedimentation

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Abstract

Lake Hoare (77° 38′ S, 162° 53′ E) is a perennially ice-covered lake at the eastern end of Taylor Valley in southern Victoria Land, Antarctica. The environment of this lake is controlled by the relatively thick ice cover (3–5 m) which eliminates wind generated currents, restricts gas exchange and sediment deposition, and reduces light penetration. The ice cover is in turn largely controlled by the extreme seasonality of Antarctica and local climate. Lake Hoare and other dry valley lakes may be sensitive indicators of short term (< 100 yr) climatic and/or anthropogenic changes in the dry valleys since the onset of intensive exploration over 30 years ago. The time constants for turnover of the water column and lake ice are 50 and 10 years, respectively. The turnover time for atmospheric gases in the lake is 30–60 years. Therefore, the lake environment responds to changes on a 10–100 year timescale. Because the ice cover has a controlling influence on the lake (e.g. light penetration, gas content of water, and sediment deposition), it is probable that small changes in ice ablation, sediment loading on the ice cover, or glacial meltwater (or groundwater) inflow will affect ice cover dynamics and will have a major impact on the lake environment and biota.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Desert Research Institute/Department of Biology, University of Nevada System, 89506, Reno, Nevada, USA

    Robert A. Wharton Jr

  2. Department of Biology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 24061, Blacksburg, VA, USA

    George M. Simmons Jr

  3. Solar System Exploration Branch, Life Science Division, NASA Ames Research Center, 94035, Moffett Field, CA, USA

    Christopher P. McKay

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  1. Robert A. Wharton Jr
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  2. George M. Simmons Jr
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  3. Christopher P. McKay
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Wharton, R.A., Simmons, G.M. & McKay, C.P. Perennially ice-covered Lake Hoare, Antarctica: physical environment, biology and sedimentation. Hydrobiologia 172, 305–320 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00031629

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