Abstract
The aim of this study is to establish the potential effect of changes in climate and anthropic interventions made over time on the hydro-chemical properties of the Techirghiol Lake. Located in the littoral region of the Black Sea, Techirghiol Lake is the most hypersaline lake of Romania—well-known for the therapeutic properties of the saline water and sapropelic mud. Long-term time series of salinity and water level were investigated in relation to the lake water inputs (precipitation, overland flow and groundwater), to chemical parameters (pH, DO and BOD5) and also to the hydraulic works designed and built in the region. The obtained results reveal a degradation of this ecosystem in the period of 1970–1998, when the extensive irrigation practice in the proximity of the lake had a negative effect on the water budget of Techirghiol Lake (an increased freshwater input through runoff and seepage), followed by a major decrease of the lake’s salinity.
Highlights
Climate change has a considerable impact on ecosystems, affecting air temperature, the amount of precipitation, the frequency and intensity of extreme events, the sea level, etc
This study presents an analysis of the potential effect of changes in climate and anthropic interventions on the hydro-chemical properties of Techirghiol Lake, located in the littoral region of the
An important aspect of Techirghiol Lake is its potential in the tourism industry, due to its unique properties: saline water and sapropelic mud
Summary
Climate change has a considerable impact on ecosystems, affecting air temperature, the amount of precipitation, the frequency and intensity of extreme events, the sea level, etc. Many studies have been conducted on saline lakes which show the importance of saline lakes in the economies, and the impact of climate change on the water level and chemical content [1,2,3]. The studies conducted had the same conclusion: the saline lakes are threatened by climate change and by the various anthropogenic activities, which lead to dramatic changes in lakes chemistry and dynamics [1,8,9,10]. The analysis of water chemistry in relation to environmental factors allows a better understanding of the process variability and is very useful for researchers and deciders in the field of water management and monitoring [7,11]
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