Limnological characteristics of 22 lakes and ponds in the Haughton Crater region of Devon Island, Nunavut, Canadian High Arctic

The physical and chemical limnological characteristics of 22 lakes and ponds in the remote region of Haughton Impact Crater, Devon Island, Nunavut, Canada, were explored. Our overall goals were to gather baseline information for use in climate and environmental change monitoring programs in the High Arctic as well as to compare these observations to other limnological surveys conducted in high-latitude regions. Study sites were alkaline (pH(mean) = 8.3), ultraoligotrophic (TPUmean = 3.7 mug L-1), and phosphorus limited. Major and minor ionic concentrations of most sites are comparable to other previously surveyed high arctic sites. Lakes and ponds in close contact with the impact-generated carbonate melt rocks associated with Haughton Crater were distinguished from the larger data set due to their elevated Mg2+, SO42-, Ba2+, Sr2+, and SiO2 concentrations. Selenite (CaSO4.2H(2)O) formations commonly associated with the lower levels of the carbonate melt sheets were identified as a likely source for the elevated SO42- concentrations in these sites. Principal Components Analysis separated sites along a conductivity and nutrient gradient on the primary and secondary axes, respectively. This study serves as a baseline for a long-term monitoring program in the Haughton Crater region.