Hydrology and Diatom Phytoplankton of High Arctic Lakes and Ponds on Store Koldewey, Northeast Greenland

Abstract

We document hydrological and phytoplankton characteristics of nine lakes and two ponds on Store Koldewey, a culturally undisturbed island off Northeast Greenland. The limnological survey included the recording of temperature, conductivity, oxygen concentration and saturation, pH, ionic composition, transparency, and the diatom phytoplankton community. In summer 2003, the lakes were cold, monomictic, thermally unstratified, alkaline and likely oligotrophic water bodies. Diatom phytoplankton was present in six lakes and consisted of four dominant species (Aulacoseira tethera, Cyclotella pseudostelligera, C rossii, and Fragilaria tenera). The concentration of planktonic diatoms varied distinctly between the lakes.