Cryoconite holes are water-filled depressions that form on glacier surfaces when uneven distributions of sediment cause differential melting to occur. Cryoconite holes are important features of cold glacier systems, as they enhance meltwater generation, enable the development of complex drainage networks and facilitate the growth of microbial communities on the glacier surface. This paper describes the development of a cryoconite hole hydrological network on an Antarctic glacier, and explores the implications for nutrient storage and delivery within the glacier system. Field measurements included measuring the internal dimensions and repeat mapping of cryoconite holes across the glacier surface, and laboratory analysis included cation and anion analysis on... |