Stable isotope and hydrogeochemical studies of Beaver Lake and Radok Lake, MacRobertson Land, East Antarctica

Abstract

Beaver Lake and Radok Lake, the largest known epishelf lake and the deepest freshwater lake on the Antarctic continent, respectively, were isotopically (δ(2)H, δ(18)O) and hydrogeochemically studied. Radok Lake is an isothermal and non-stratified, i.e. homogeneous water body, while Beaver Lake is stratified with respect to temperature, salinity, and isotopic composition. The results for the latter attest to freshwater (derived from snow and glacier melt) overlying seawater.