Investigation of Antarctic lakes and lake sediments in the Ross Sea Region

The study of Antarctic lakes and lake sediments in the Ross Sea Region, particularly in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, with particular emphasis on the climatic history was a continuing program of the Waikato University Antarctic Research Unit. The sediments on the valley floors, on the slopes of the valleys, on the lake shores and on the lake ice was investigated. The bathymetry of most lakes was measured and bottom lake sediment sampling and water quality characteristics were analysed and measured. The geomorphology of the region was investigated to determine processes of formation, including moraines, tills, slopes, channel morphology, meltwater streams and sediments, rocks and how they are sorted. Samples were collected from all over the region for U/Th dating.