Water abundance and effect of glacier melting at Priyadarshini lake in Antarctica

Abstract

Priyadarshini lake also called Zub lake covers an area of 0.29km2 and forms the major source of water supply to the Maitri. The consumption of water at Maitri is relatively more in austral summer compared to the rest of the year and it fluctuates between 1.70m3/day in winter and 5.7 m3/day in summer. Although the inflow volumes to the lake can vary widely from one summer to another owing to temperature differences, changes of annual losses over both summer and winter take place. Melt water runoff from sorrounding glaciers during the short austral summers is the only significant source of water that maintains the lake. Using the paddle boat, marked string with weight and GPS, depth and boundary line was recorded. The maximum recorded depth was 7.2m. From 2nd January to 29th January 2000 the water level recorded continuously has shown the increase in water level. The total area of the lake was estimated to around 276944m2 after accumulation of feed water, which is 4.49% less than the GPS monitored area. Further volume calculated is 650358m3. The average water consumption at Maitri is around 900m3/year. The inflow of water due to annual glacial melt is around 61132m3. Therefore even in the winter period sufficient water is available to be consumed by Maitri. This water abundance through Priyadarshini Lake will sustain for many years even if there is no inflow of water. The water quality of the lake is unchanged by the intrusion of seepage water channel from the wastewater pond due to less quantity and high dilution ratio and due to replenishment of water from glacial melt.