The Snow Island coastal ecosystems, Antarctica: physics, chemistry and mineralogy

Abstract

Most of the Antarctic ice-free areas occur near the coastal zone, places relevant for nutrient transfers by fauna. In this paper, we analyze the Snow Island coastal ecosystems, Antarctica, from their physical, chemical and mineralogical properties. Five samples were collected from the marine terraces. Exchangeable nutrients, pH and texture were determined. Al, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na, Si, Co, Cu, Mn, P, Pb and Zr were determined by EDX. The mineralogy was determined by X-ray diffraction (DRX). These coastal ecosystems are predominantly sandy, acidic and dystrophic. Nutrient transfers are essential for fertilization of these environments. Biovectors, such birds, transport nutrients from sea to land, identified by the high values of P and organic carbon. There were signs of cryoclastic weathering and chemical alterations with the occurrence of smectite, kaolinite and goethite. Monitoring of Antarctic coastal ecosystems it is important to try to identify and understand the impacts of climate change.

Keywords: cryoclastic, phosphatization, fauna, nutrient cycling, marine terraces.