Chemical Stratification in Lake Fryxell, Victoria Land, Antarctica

Abstract

A landlocked lake of sodium-mixed-anion type in lower Taylor Valley has a salinity ranging from 1/35 to 1/5 that of sea water. The lake seems to be chemically stratified into three distinct layers. Several possible sources are postulated for the dissolved salts. The chemical zonation may have been initiated by past climatic variation; however, a thermal or magmatic origin for some of the waters is also indicated. No single origin for the lake waters or the stratification seems likely.