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Lake Bonney Autonomous Lake Profiler and Samplers (ALPS): Conductivity, Temperature, and Pressure

Abstract: 

Knowledge of the McMurdo Dry Valley (MDV) lakes is limited by winter access, a period which is most relevant in understanding the habitability of other icy worlds and critical to understanding the overall function of these lakes.  Owing to the lack of winter access, data that normally require human presence are incomplete.  Our goal was to conduct the first year-round investigation of the biogeophysics of these unique lakes.  An important part of the McMurdo Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) is evaluating carbon and nitrogen budgets in perennial ice-covered lakes. This data set addresses this core area of research and quantifies the vertical profile of conductivity, temperature, and pressure in Lake Bonney.

Dataset ID: 

302

Associated Personnel: 

764
765
766
767
768

Data sources: 

LIMNO_ALPS_ENDCAP
LIMNO_ALPS_ENDCAP_ELB

Methods: 

Through the ice, wire-walking profilers (McLane Labs Ice Tethered Profilers [ITPs]) were deployed in both lobs of Lake Bonney. Attached to the ITPs were sensors for conductivity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and pressure (Seabird model 41CP CTD endcaps). The ITPs were programmed to profile once daily around regional solar noon. A profile consisted of one downward and one upward movement to the furthest reach of the profilers possible movement, or the bottom of the lake or bottom of the ice, whichever limit came first. During the profiles, conductivity, temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen readings were recorded every 2 seconds. To convert the raw dissolved oxygen readings (recorded in sensor output units, hertz), manufacturer calibration coefficients and fit equations were used. 

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