Trace and major elements in surface snow and fresh water bodies of the Marguerite Bay Islands, Antarctic Peninsula

Abstract

The results of major and trace elements investigation in snow and fresh water on Dismal and Horseshoe Islands, Marguerite Bay, Antarctic Peninsula are presented. Samples of newly fallen snow, old snow, as well as water from lakes, ponds and streams were collected during the 4th Turkish Antarctic Expedition in February-early March 2020. Determination of Ag, Al, As, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Na, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Th, Tl, U, V and Zn content was carried out using the ICP-MS method. Totally 39 samples were analyzed.It was established that, variability and average concentrations of major and trace elements are significantly higher in newly fallen snow compared to old snow. The lowest concentrations of major and a number of trace elements (Fe, Cr, Se, Ba, As and Tl) were recorded in samples of old snow, and the highest - in water of streams. All types of samples have the highest Na concentrations, that confirms sea aerosols as the source of their input.High enrichment factors EFc (>100) for Zn, Cd, Se and Sb (especially in newly fallen snow) indicate possible anthropogenic impact connected with long-range air mass transfer.