Limnological characteristics of the freshwater ecosystems of Byers Peninsula, Livingston Island, in maritime Antarctica

摘要: A limnological survey of 15 lakes and 6 streams was carried out on Byers Peninsula (Living- ston Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica) during austral summer 2001-2002. Most the surface waters had low conductivities (20-105 Sc m i1 ) nutrients (total phosphorus 0.01-0.24 M), but some coastal were enriched by nutrient inputs from seal colo- nies marine inputs. Plankton communities in contained picocyanobacteria (10 2 -10 4 cells ml ), diatoms, chrysophytes chlorophytes, a large fraction total biomass bacterioplankton. Zooplankton dominated Boeck- ella poppei Branchinecta gainii; benthic cladoc- eran Macrothrix ciliata also recorded, for Wrst time Antarctica. The chironomids Belgica antarctica Parochlus steinenii, oligochaete Lumbricil- lus sp., occurred stream lake benthos. phyto- benthos included cyanobacterial mats, epilithic diatoms aquatic moss Drepanocladus longifolius. These observations underscore richness this seasonally ice-free region maritime Antarctica its value as long-term reference site monitor- ing environmental change.