Mineralogy of lacustrine sediments in the Schirmacher Range Area, Eastern Antarctica

Abstract

A mineralogical study of the lacustrine sediment cores from lakes and varve deposits of the lake shore in the Schirmacher Range of East Antarctica is presented. Field observations and laboratory analysis indicate quartz and feldspar as principal allogenic phases derived from local crystalline rocks surrounding the lake basin. Illite, chlorite and minor amount of mixed-layered minerals in the lacustrine sediments are interpreted to be products of weathering in the lake catchment. In general, the clay mineralogy of sediment cores and varve sediments is indicative of low-hydrolyzing depositional environment under high latitudes and subtle weathering.