Abstract

The northern Great Plains of western Canada contain many saline and hypersaline lakes. Deadmoose and Waldsea Lakes in south-central Saskatchewan are meromictic, with saline Mg-Na-SO4-Cl waters overlying denser brines of similar composition. Mineralogical, chemical, palynological, and stable isotope analyses of the sediments in the Waldsea basin indicate the lake was much shallower about 4000 years ago in response to a warmer and drier climate. Since that time water levels have generally increased in the basin giving rise to higher organic productivity and greater inorganic carbonate precipitation. Within this overall trend there is also evidence of several lower water stages during the last 3 000 years. The stratigraphy preserved in the Deadmoose basin suggests considerably lower water levels about 1000 years ago.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call