Towards a dystrophic lake: The history of Smolak Lake (northern Poland) on the basis of geochemical and biological data

Abstract

This study presents a multi-proxy reconstruction of the evolution of Smolak Lake from harmonic to dystrophic conditions. The lake’s history and environmental conditions, such as zooplankton and vegetation compositions, trophic state, water temperature and water level fluctuations, are discussed. Smolak Lake is located in the southern part of the Masurian Lakeland, northern Poland. A 350 cm core comprising thick sediments (Sm profile) are mainly composed of homogenous organic gyttja and dy was taken from the lake and analysed for geochemical and biological (cladoceran and pollen) proxies. Radiocarbon data show that the sediments accumulated from the Late Glacial (Younger Dryas period) to recent times. Based on the results of pollen data, six local pollen assemblage zones were recognized. The subfossil cladoceran fauna in the sediments are represented by 25 species belonging to four families. Five zones of Cladocera development were distinguished. The Cladocera species indicate the initial oligotrophic status of the lake and its subsequent slight increase in trophic status. From ~9000 yr cal BP (at the beginning of the Atlantic period), Smolak Lake began a fast transition to a dystrophic state. At this time, the amount of total organic carbon (TOC) in the sediments significantly increased to above 50%, and deposits containing more than 97% water were transformed into dy. The sedimentation rate was extremely low, i.e., 0.08–0.2 mm/yr. Dystrophic conditions are also reflected in the Cladocera and pollen found in the core during this period: Cladocera composition was dominated by species very resistant to acid conditions (e.g., Alonella excisa); the abundance of green algae was at its lowest level and dominated by only one genus (Botryococcus); no hydrophytes were found; and rush vegetation disappeared. Currently, Smolak Lake is a shallow, humic lake characterized by brown water and the presence of floating mats. This study shows that it’s current status is a result of it’s small, relatively undisturbed catchment, which should be protected in order to maintain this unique dystrophic habitat.