CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
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Author : Barsch, D.; and Muller, G.
Date : 1981
Title : Recent iron ore deposition and heavy metal accumulation in Access Lake, Oobloyah Valley, northern Ellesmere Island, N.W.T., Canada
Publication : Ergebnisse der Heidelberg-Ellesmere Island-Expedition [Results of the Heidelberg Ellesmere Island Expedition]. Edited by Dietrich Barsen and Lorenz King. Heidelberger Geographische Arbeiten
Issue : 69:
Page(s) : 507-520.
Abstract
During the Heidelberg Ellesmere Island Expedition 1978 two sediment cores have been taken in Access Lake in order to get information on recent sedimentation in a high arctic periglacial environment. The core from the center of the lake revealed a very low rate of clastic sedimentation but extremely high iron concentrations as a result of limonite deposition. The deposition of the iron rich (limonitic) sediment is a result of the formation of iron oxihydrates in the catchment area of the lake caused by leaching of iron containing minerals by decomposing organic material. Subsequent oxidation and precipitation of iron oxihydrates from solutions entering the inflows of the lake and a short fluvial transport of the colloidal iron rich fractions lead to the accumulation of a limonitic mud in the deeper parts of the lake. Iron rich lake sediments - as crusts and nodules - have been known since long from numerous subarctic lakes. The iron mudsof Access Lake represent - regarding climatic zone and mode of deposition - a new type of lacustrine sediments enriched in iron. A heavy metal distribution pattern similar to those in sediment profiles in more polluted areas was found. A long range transport of anthropogenic heavy metal via atmospheric dust - as already reported from snow and ice in polar regions - is assumed to be the source of the heavy metal accumulation in Access Lake.
Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology