This study covers water and sediment chemical characteristics by the western shore of Admiralty Bay (King George Island, Antarctica) in 2016. Chemical processes between sediment and water have been described based on the determination of ions, metals, non-metals, and TOC concentrations. Rock weathering is an important source of Fe, Ni, Co, Al in the seashore area. The PCA shows the impact of acidification in the release metals from sediment. Our results indicate that riverine mineral fluxes need to be accounted for as the volume of melt increases in response to climate change. Based on geoaccumulation indexes (anthropogenic fingerprint), we observed an increased concentration of Pb (Igeo=1.643), in the lake near station facilities and Cd in the area of Ecology Glacier (Igeo>1.389). Taking into account climate change and the intensification of anthropopressure, our study indicates that Antarctica requires a special focus on the seasonal dynamics of mineral content and pollution assessment.
Authors
- Joanna Potapowicz link open in new tab ,
- Dr Danuta Szumińska,
- dr inż. Małgorzata Szopińska link open in new tab ,
- dr hab Robert Józef Bialik,
- Katarzyna Machowiak,
- Stanisław Chmiel,
- prof. dr hab. inż. Żaneta Polkowska link open in new tab
Additional information
- DOI
- Digital Object Identifier link open in new tab 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.110888
- Category
- Publikacja w czasopiśmie
- Type
- artykuły w czasopismach
- Language
- angielski
- Publication year
- 2020
