Abstract:

Based on analytical data of mineral phase constituents at three sections from Tern Lake, West Lake and Kitezh Lake in the Fildes Peninsula of King George Island, Antarctica, the characteristics of mineral phase constituents, material source and their environmental implication have been discussed. Research results indicate that lacustrine deposits came primarily from widespread volcanic rocks at the peninsula. Under cold and dry condition in Antarctica, the weathering process of the parent rocks in some area is mainly physical weathering with a weak chemical one. The relation curves of abundance of kaolinite and calcite against deposition age change steeply at the boundary between lacustrine and glacial deposits, indicating that the corresponding environment changes are abrupt, which may be related to different transportation fashion of both different deposits and the protection of glacial deposits.

Key words: Antarctica, lacustrine deposits, mineral phase constituents, environmental implication