As part of a geochemical study of the Commonwealth Glacier in Taylor Valley, Antarctica, two 3-meter snow pits were dug in the accumulation zone and analyzed for major ions by ion chromatography. This dataset shows the mean annual atmospheric flux of chloride, sulfate, nitrate, and calcium to the Commonwealth Glacier. Determination of the atmospheric flux of these ions to the glacier surface aids in assessing the chemical composition of precipitation to the McMurdo Dry Valleys and the role of glaciers in the geochemical cycles of the region.
Dataset Results
The chemistry of various glaciers (Canada, Commonwealth, Howard, Suess, Taylor) in Taylor Valley was measured for the following analytes between 1993 and 1997: Alkalinity, Ca, Cl, F, K, Mg, Na, NO3, Si, and SO4.
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The chemistry of cryoconite holes on Canada glacier was measured in January, 2001 at seven locations. Water analysis was conducted for pH, electrical conductivity and a nematodes census.
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Geochemistry data of cryoconite holes collected from Canada, Commonwealth, Howard, Hughes and Taylor glaciers in Nov 2001 and Jan 2002
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As a part of the McMurdo Dry Valleys LTER program, isotope ratios have been determined from 295 ice/snow samples in Taylor Valley, Antarctica. Hydrogen/deuterium isotope ratios are given for all samples, and for a subset, there are oxygen isotope ratios, and a deuterium-excess. Values are reported relative to VSMOW, +/- 1.0 per mil for hydrogen, and +/- 0.1 for oxygen.
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Blood Falls, a subglacial discharge from the Taylor Glacier, Antarctica provides an example of the diverse physical and chemical habitats available for life in the polar desert of the McMurdo Dry Valleys. Geochemical analysis shows that Blood Falls outflow resembles concentrated seawater remnant from the Pliocene intrusion of marine waters combined with products of weathering. The result is an iron-rich, salty seep at the terminus of Taylor Glacier, which is subject to episodic releases into permanently ice-covered Lake Bonney.
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This dataset contains a series of grab samples collected from nutrient tracer injection experiments conducted in supraglacial streams on Canada Glacier in Taylor Valley, Antarctica. The purpose of these experiments was to measure potential nutrient uptake in supraglacial stream networks. We chose three reaches and co-injected nutrient tracer(s) and a conservative tracer (NaCl). Tracers were injected at the top of each reach, allowed to mix with the stream water, and move downstream.
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We used sediment incubations to quantify and compare nutrient uptake rates from biota living in sediment across glaciers in Taylor Valley, Antarctica. Hughes Glacier is located towards the polar plateau on the western edge of the valley and flows from the southern Kukri Hills north into the valley. Canada and Commonwealth glaciers flow south into the valley from the Asgard range. Commonwealth glacier is located closest to the ocean on the east end of the valley. Canada glacier is located mid-valley, between Hughes and Commonwealth glaciers.
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This data package contains chemical and sediment characteristics of ice cores collected from the ablation zones of five glaciers in Taylor Valley, located in the McMurdo Dry Valleys region of Antarctica, during the 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, and 2018-19 austral summers. Specifically, shallow ice cores were collected from the ablation zones of Hughes, Howard, Seuss, Commonwealth, and Canada Glaciers in order to characterize the spatial and temporal evolution of ice chemistry and sediment concentration across Taylor Valley.
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This data package contains chemical characteristics of water samples collected along four supraglacial streams on Canada Glacier, located in Taylor Valley, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica. Samples were collected during the 2015-16 and 2016-17 austral summers in order to characterize the spatial and temporal evolution of glacial meltwater as it travels over and off Canada Glacier. Samples from the 2015-16 austral summer have been fully analyzed and those data are included here.
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This data package contains chemical and other relevant characteristics for several waterfalls situated along the terminus of two glaciers in Taylor Valley, located in the McMurdo Dry Valleys region of Antarctica, during the 2017-18 and 2018-19 austral summers. Specifically, water samples were collected from terminal waterfalls along Canada and Seuss Glaciers as part of a larger study characterizing the geochemical evolution of glacier ice to meltwater.
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This data package contains chemical characteristics of snow in the ablation zone of Canada Glacier, located in Taylor Valley, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica during the 2016-17 austral summer. Specifically, snow samples were collected from the ablation zones of Canada and Commonwealth Glaciers to characterize the chemistry of recent snowfall in the ablation zones of these glaciers.
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To examine temporal and spatial variability in snow chemistry during the 2000-2001 austral summer, snow samples were collected from the accumulation zones of Canada, Commonwealth, and Rhone Glaciers, located in Taylor Valley in the McMurdo Dry Valleys region of Antarctica. Snowpits were excavated to a depth of 2 meters at each location and samples were collected using a depth interval of 3 cm utilizing clean sampling techniques. Snow density was measured in the field at the time of sample collection. Samples were analyzed for major ions in the Crary Lab at McMurdo Station.