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Holocene depositional environments and surface-level changes at Lake Fryxell, Antarctica

Department of Chemistry, University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton, New Zealand, tew3{at}waikato.ac.nz, Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences, University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton, New Zealand

Brenda L. Hall

Department of Earth Sciences and the Climate Change Institute, University of Maine, Orono ME 04469, USA

Chris H. Hendy

Department of Chemistry, University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton, New Zealand

Sarah A. Spaulding

U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, 2150 Center Street, Fort Collins CO 80526, USA

We report on Holocene surface-level variations of Lake Fryxell, Antarctica, as determined from multi-proxy analyses of 18 sediment cores. During this time accumulating sediments were predominantly aeolian sand with algal and carbonate laminae. Based on stratigraphy, mineralogy and diatom assemblages we suggest some carbonate laminae were deposited when lake level dropped, leading to concentration and subsequent precipitation of salts. Although lake level appears to have remained relatively stable throughout the Holocene, minor (<4.5 m below present) lowstands occurred at approximately 6400, 4700, 3800 and ~ 1600 cal. yr BP. The stability of Lake Fryxell during the Holocene contrasts with large-scale variability at other Dry Valleys lakes (eg, Lake Vanda) and with suggestions from chemical diffusion models of a near-desiccation at ~1200 cal. yr BP. The reason for the comparative stability of Lake Fryxell is uncertain, but may be the result of basin morphology and the number, aspect and proximity of meltwater sources.

Key Words: Dry Valleys • depositional environments • lake-level variations • sediment cores • carbonates • diatoms • Lake Fryxell • Antarctica.

The Holocene, Vol. 18, No. 5, 775-786 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/0959683608091797


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