McMurdo Dry Valleys LTER: Nutrient addition incubation experiments using sediments from supraglacial streams in Taylor Valley, Antarctica, December 2017

We used sediment incubations to quantify and compare nutrient uptake rates from biota living in sediment across glaciers in Taylor Valley, Antarctica. Hughes Glacier is located towards the polar plateau on the western edge of the valley and flows from the southern Kukri Hills north into the valley. Canada and Commonwealth glaciers flow south into the valley from the Asgard range. Commonwealth glacier is located closest to the ocean on the east end of the valley. Canada glacier is located mid-valley, between Hughes and Commonwealth glaciers. Sediment was brought to the lab and incubated with added nutrient solutions. Solutions were then analyzed to determine change in nutrient concentration.Â