Unusual biogenic calcite structures in two shallow lakes, James
Ross Island, Antarctica

J 2016

Unusual biogenic calcite structures in two shallow lakes, James Ross Island, Antarctica

ELSTER, Josef, Linda NEDBALOVÁ, Radek VODRÁŽKA, Kamil LÁSKA, Jakub HALODA et. al.

Basic information

Original name

Unusual biogenic calcite structures in two shallow lakes, James Ross Island, Antarctica

Authors

ELSTER, Josef (203 Czech Republic, guarantor), Linda NEDBALOVÁ (203 Czech Republic), Radek VODRÁŽKA (203 Czech Republic), Kamil LÁSKA (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution), Jakub HALODA (203 Czech Republic) and Jiří KOMÁREK (203 Czech Republic)

Edition

Biogeosciences, 2016, 1726-4170

Other information

Language

English

Type of outcome

Článek v odborném periodiku

Field of Study

10600 1.6 Biological sciences

Country of publisher

Germany

Confidentiality degree

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

References:

Biogeosciences online

Impact factor

Impact factor: 3.851

RIV identification code

RIV/00216224:14310/16:00089157

Organization unit

Faculty of Science

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/bg-13-535-2016

UT WoS

000369524500014

Keywords in English

Antarctica; James Ross Island; lakes; photoautotrophic mat; calcite spicules

Abstract

V originále

The floors of two shallow endorheic lakes, located on volcanic surfaces on James Ross Island, are covered with calcareous organosedimentary structures. Their biological and chemical composition, lake water characteristics, and seasonal variability of the thermal regime are introduced. The lakes are frozen down to the bottom for 8–9 months a year and their water chemistry is characterised by low conductivity and neutral to slightly alkaline pH. The photosynthetic microbial mat is composed of filamentous cyanobacteria and microalgae that are considered to be Antarctic endemic species. The mucilaginous black biofilm is covered by green spots formed by a green microalga and the macroscopic structures are packed together with fine material. Thin sections consist of rock substrate, soft biofilm, calcite spicules and mineral grains originating from different sources. The morphology of the spicules is typical of calcium carbonate monocrystals having a layered structure and specific surface texture, which reflect growth and degradation processes. The spicules’ chemical composition and structure correspond to pure calcite. The lakes’ age, altitude, morphometry, geomorphological and hydrological stability, including low sedimentation rates, together with thermal regime predispose the existence of this community. We hypothesise that the precipitation of calcite is connected with the photosynthetic activity of the green microalgae that were not recorded in any other lake in the region. This study has shown that the unique community producing biogenic calcite spicules is quite different to any yet described.

Links

LM2010009, research and development project

Name: Projekt CzechPolar - České polární stanice: Stavba a operační náklady

Investor: Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the CR

MUNI/A/1370/2014, interní kód MU

Name: Globální environmentální změny v krajinné sféře Země v čase a prostoru (Acronym: GlobST)

Investor: Masaryk University, Category A

Citovat

ELSTER, Josef, Linda NEDBALOVÁ, Radek VODRÁŽKA, Kamil LÁSKA, Jakub HALODA and Jiří KOMÁREK. Unusual biogenic calcite structures in two shallow lakes, James Ross Island, Antarctica. Biogeosciences. 2016, vol. 13, No 2, p. 535-549. ISSN 1726-4170. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.5194/bg-13-535-2016.

@article{1316098,
   author = {Elster, Josef and Nedbalová, Linda and Vodrážka, Radek and Láska, Kamil and Haloda, Jakub and Komárek, Jiří},
   article_number = {2},
   doi = {http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/bg-13-535-2016},
   keywords = {Antarctica; James Ross Island; lakes; photoautotrophic mat; calcite spicules},
   language = {eng},
   issn = {1726-4170},
   journal = {Biogeosciences},
   title = {Unusual biogenic calcite structures in two shallow lakes, James Ross Island, Antarctica},
   url = {http://www.biogeosciences.net/13/535/2016/},
   volume = {13},
   year = {2016}
}

TY  - JOUR
ID  - 1316098
AU  - Elster, Josef - Nedbalová, Linda - Vodrážka, Radek - Láska, Kamil - Haloda, Jakub - Komárek, Jiří
PY  - 2016
TI  - Unusual biogenic calcite structures in two shallow lakes, James Ross Island, Antarctica
JF  - Biogeosciences
VL  - 13
IS  - 2
SP  - 535-549
EP  - 535-549
SN  - 17264170
KW  - Antarctica
KW  - James Ross Island
KW  - lakes
KW  - photoautotrophic mat
KW  - calcite spicules
UR  - http://www.biogeosciences.net/13/535/2016/
N2  - The floors of two shallow endorheic lakes, located on volcanic surfaces on James Ross Island, are covered with calcareous organosedimentary structures. Their biological and chemical composition, lake water characteristics, and seasonal variability of the thermal regime are introduced. The lakes are frozen down to the bottom for 8–9 months a year and their water chemistry is characterised by low conductivity and neutral to slightly alkaline pH. The photosynthetic microbial mat is composed of filamentous cyanobacteria and microalgae that are considered to be Antarctic endemic species. The mucilaginous black biofilm is covered by green spots formed by a green microalga and the macroscopic structures are packed together with fine material. Thin sections consist of rock substrate, soft biofilm, calcite spicules and mineral grains originating from different sources. The morphology of the spicules is typical of calcium carbonate monocrystals having a layered structure and specific surface texture, which reflect growth and degradation processes. The spicules’ chemical composition and structure correspond to pure calcite. The lakes’ age, altitude, morphometry, geomorphological and hydrological stability, including low sedimentation rates, together with thermal regime predispose the existence of this community. We hypothesise that the precipitation of calcite is connected with the photosynthetic activity of the green microalgae that were not recorded in any other lake in the region. This study has shown that the unique community producing biogenic calcite spicules is quite different to any yet described.
ER  -

ELSTER, Josef, Linda NEDBALOVÁ, Radek VODRÁŽKA, Kamil LÁSKA, Jakub HALODA and Jiří KOMÁREK. Unusual biogenic calcite structures in two shallow lakes, James Ross Island, Antarctica. \textit{Biogeosciences}. 2016, vol.~13, No~2, p.~535-549. ISSN~1726-4170. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.5194/bg-13-535-2016.

Detailed Information on Publication Record