Limnological studies of Dry Valley lakes: water parameters (pH, conductivity, nutrients, temperature), uranium content, trace elements, isotopic ratio and tritium concentrations, and geochemical samples

Water samples were collected for all the visited lakes and ponds. Measurement of the samples include water temperature, pH, conductivity, inorganic nitrogen compounds, vertical distribution of nutrient matters, major and minor chemical elements and radionuclides and the size of the pond were made.

Geochemical samples, such as evoporites and bottom sediments of saline ponds were collected to study the evolutional history of the saline waters in this area. To study the background level of radionulcides in the Dry Valleys, water, soil, moss and algal samples were collected. Samples were also analysed for neutron activation analysis of trace elements, measurements of the uranium content and its isotopic ratio to determine the origin of salts and the evolutionary history of the saline waters and tritium concentrations.