Salt origin viewed from lithium distributions in lake and pond waters in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica

Summary

Lithium and major ionic components in pond and lake waters of the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica were determined to elucidate the origin of dissolved salts. The high Li concentrations with high Ef_Li values of Lake Vanda and Don Juan Pond imply that the salts are originated from ground waters influenced by hydrothermal activity. The low Li contents with extremely high Ef_Li values of the Labyrinth ponds strongly suggest that Li is derived from snow. The decrease of Ef_Li values during the concentration of salts may be explained by the migration of Li into ice phase.