Limnology of two lake systems of Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska: Physical and chemical profiles, major ions, and trace elements

Abstract

Six large lakes in the Naknek River drainage and fourin the Alagnak River drainage were sampled once asummer for three summers, 1990–1992, in a baselinewater quality study of Katmai National Park andPreserve. These pristine lakes are discontinuous coldpolymictic, mixing to great depths occasionallythrough the ice-free season due to frequent winds ofcoastal storms. Cation proportions were similar amonglakes with sodium somewhat overrepresented, mostlikely due to the location at the base of the AlaskaPeninsula in proximity to the influences of thePacific Ocean. Anion proportions varied. Six Nakneklakes and one Alagnak lake were typical calciumcarbonate lakes. Chloride and sulfate wereproportionally high in the others, resulting in theextreme in a ’triple water‘ lake (Kulik Lake) and acalcium sulfate lake (Battle Lake). The high chlorideproportions were, like sodium, probably due to theinfluences of ocean spray on precipitation. The highsulfate of Naknek Lake was probably due to volcanicinfluence, and there was some evidence of localgeothermal imputs to Kulik Lake. Iron Springs Lake andCreek, which form one of Battle Lake‘s inlets, areknown to be strongly influenced by sulfur minerals.The very low alkalinity of Battle Lake was associatedwith elevated concentrations of aluminum. Thesealuminum concentrations exceeded the freshwaterchronic criterion for the protection of aquaticlife.