Lake Stage Research Articles

Integrated Research of the Southern Baltic Sea during Cruise 42 of the R/V AkademikNikolaj Strakhov

New data on the formation of the bottom topography, bottom sediments, spatial structure and dynamics of waters of the Baltic Sea were obtained in cruise 42 of the R/V Akademik Nikolaj Strakhov (August 17–27, 2019). The distribution, morphology, and structure of large sand bodies on the Rybachy plateau were obtained. Additional data on the formation of the bottom topography and sedimentation under the influence of iceberg exaration and ice rafting at all stages of the Baltic Ice Lake were obtained. Numerous active gas craters (pockmarks) have been identified in the central part of the Gdansk Deep.

Ice-marginal lake hydrology and the seasonal dynamical evolution of Kennicott Glacier, Alaska

AbstractGlacier basal motion is responsible for the majority of ice flux on fast-flowing glaciers, enables rapid changes in glacier motion and provides the means by which glaciers shape alpine landscapes. In an effort to enhance our understanding of basal motion, we investigate the evolution of glacier velocity and ice-marginal lake stage on Kennicott Glacier, Alaska, during the spring–summer transition, a time when subglacial drainage is undergoing rapid change. A complicated record of > 50 m fill-and-drain sequences on a hydraulically-connected ice-marginal lake likely reflects the punctuated establishment of efficient subglacial drainage as the melt season begins. The rate of change of lake stage generally correlates with diurnal velocity maxima, both in timing and magnitude. At the seasonal scale, the up-glacier progression of enhanced summer basal motion promotes uniformity of daily glacier velocity fluctuations throughout the 10 km study reach, and results in diurnal velocity patterns suggesting increasingly efficient meltwater delivery to and drainage from the subglacial channel system. Our findings suggest the potential of using an ice-marginal lake as a proxy for subglacial water pressure, and show how widespread basal motion affects bulk glacier behavior.

A detailed lake-level reconstruction shows evidence for two abrupt lake drawdowns in the late-stage history of the eastern Lake Agassiz-Ojibway basin

Glacial Lake Ojibway occupied large areas in northeastern Ontario and northwestern Quebec during the last deglaciation. Paleogeographic reconstructions depict Lake Ojibway and Lake Agassiz sharing a common water plane shortly before the final drainage of this lake ∼8200 years ago. However, the pre-drainage surface elevation and extent of this large coalesced lake is based on scattered raised shorelines in the Ojibway basin and poorly constrained geomorphological considerations, which convey large uncertainties in lake-level reconstructions and the attendant meltwater volume estimates used to assess the impact of this freshwater discharge. Here, we address this issue by using 3098 elevation measurements of shorelines mapped on a LiDAR digital terrain model covering a key area in the Ojibway basin. Our reconstruction is based on a GIS model integrating the paleotopography, which reinforces correlation of shorelines and the identification of lake levels. The spatial distribution of shoreline-elevation data points shows well-defined clusters of shorelines aligned on distinct elevation ranges that delineate three widespread lake levels, which are separated by two intervals with atypically low number of shorelines reflecting abrupt lake drawdowns. This reconstruction considerably refines the sequence in the eastern (Ojibway) basin and shows evidence for a two-step drainage of Lake Agassiz-Ojibway. The results provide constraints on the magnitude of the lake-level drops and indicate that the pre-drainage surface-elevation of Lake Agassiz-Ojibway of earlier reconstructions was likely overestimated. Accordingly, the configuration and structure of this lake stage should be re-evaluated. To that effect, the new shoreline record provides an important framework for assessing late-stage changes in lake levels across the Agassiz-Ojibway basin, which is a critical step towards the production of realistic models depicting the drainage of this large lake.

Spatial-temporal Distribution of Nutrients in Hanfeng Lake After Official Operation

The hydrograph of Hanfeng Lake, which is the largest pre-dam of theThree Gorges Reservoir, varied between the fluvial stage and lake stage after the lake was officially operated, resulting in large shifts in the aquatic biogeochemical processes. To explore the spatial-temporal distribution of nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations and identify their influencing factors in Hanfeng Lake, seven sampling sites were set up to monitor the changes of nutrients and other water indicators at different water depths monthly from January to December 2018. The results showed that completely vertical mixing across water profiles was observed. The nutrient concentrations were not significantly different between the top, middle, and bottom water depths (P>0.05). Total nitrogen concentration decreased from January to September but gradually increased from October to December, with a monthly average concentration of 1.52 mg·L-1. NO2--N concentration decreased in the first four months, increased sharply from May to June, and decreased from July to December with a monthly average concentration of 0.05 mg·L-1. NO3--N concentration gradually decreased from January to June, and gradually increased from July to December. NH4+-N concentration was the highest in July, with a concentration of 0.44 mg·L-1, and the change in other months was not notable, with a monthly average concentration of 0.09 mg·L-1. The concentrations of total phosphorus (TP), dissolved phosphorus, and soluble reactive phosphorus showed insignificant changes in trends throughout the year, with monthly average concentrations of 0.17 mg·L-1, 0.11 mg·L-1, and 0.05 mg·L-1, respectively. The phosphate concentration was mainly sourced from the upstream Nan River and Taoxi River, and gradually decreased from upper Zhendong to the downstream regulating dam. Of these nutrients, TP was the key factor in the growth of algae in Hanfeng Lake.

Satellite image-based investigation of the seasonal variations in the hydrological connectivity of a large floodplain (Poyang Lake, China)

Hydrological processes of floodplains in large river-lake systems are subjected to strong flood pulses from catchment flows and lake inundations. Hydrological connectivity (HC) is one of the important characteristics of floodplains that can be used to provide evidence of mass and energy transport that influences the health of ecosystems and the biological productivity of floodplain water bodies. This study used geostatistical methods in combination with remote sensing data (2000–2015) to investigate the hydrological connectivity in a complex river-lake floodplain (Nanji Wetland National Natural Reserve) of the Poyang Lake floodplain, which is naturally connected to the middle Yangtze River. The geomorphic characteristics of the study area were characterized by the connection of surface water bodies including rivers, wetlands, sub-lakes and main lake. Results of this research indicated the apparent seasonal shifts of the dominant hydrological factors that affect the spatial-temporal changes of HC. In particular, we find that the main lake stage plays a dominant role in determining the hydrological connectivity during the lake’s flooding and receding periods. We also find the existence of a threshold that causes an abrupt change of HC, i.e., if the main lake stage is below this threshold, the whole system becomes weakly hydrologically-connected. This threshold is related to the local topography, but has ecological implications for the entire floodplain system. The outcomes of this research provide an improved understanding of the hydrological behaviour of the catchment-floodplain-lake system. Considering the encountering of consistent drought of the lakes in the middle Yangtze River, this work may help clarify the intensity of the drought impacts on the ecologically important floodplains, and also assist in optimizing the interactions between the lake and the Yangtze River.

Assessment of a seismo-neotectonic origin for the New Liskeard–Thornloe scarp, Timiskaming graben, northeastern Ontario

To test an inference that the New Liskeard–Thornloe scarp (NLTS), Timiskaming graben, Ontario, is a deglacial–postglacial seismo-neotectonic fault, we collected shallow geophysical data along lines 7.2, 0.28, and 0.52 km long, located on three roads crossing the middle portion of the scarp. Data revealed a valley subsurface composed of bedrock (seismic unit a), glaciolacustrine–lacustrine deposits (units b to f), mass movement deposits (units ls 1 to ls 3), wave-worked sediments, mass wasting deposits and (or) artificial fill (unit g), and a minor occurrence of roadfill (unit h). The bedrock surface exhibits only minor undulations in the area underlying the scarp, indicating that the scarp morphology is unrelated to the underlying bedrock topography. Parallel reflectors in glaciolacustrine seismic units b and c conformably overlie the minor bedrock undulations and there is an absence of disturbed or offset zones within the reflectors underlying the scarp. This lack of disturbance or offset provides strong evidence that the scarp is not the product of deglacial–postglacial seismo-neotectonic faulting. The erosive truncation of glaciolacustrine seismic units d and e indicate that the scarp is an erosive feature cut into the glaciolacustrine deposits. It is likely a bluff formed by shoreline erosion, as is consistent with a geomorphic setting previously inundated by a large glacial lake and subsequent recessional lake stages. The non-fault origin for the NLTS limits the northern extent of the hypothesized Timiskaming East Shore Fault to within the Lake Timiskaming basin and, hence, constrains estimates of maximum rupture length.

Numerical Simulation Study on Salt Release Across the Sediment–Water Interface at Low-Permeability Area

Salt release from dredger filling sediment is a significant threat to freshwater resources in coastal regions around the world. This study focuses on the estimation of the field-scale salt-release process from the low-permeability sediment–water interface under different hydrological and hydrodynamic conditions. In situ sampling tests and physical experiments were implemented to calculate hydrogeological parameters and monitor sediment and water salinity. Numerical modeling was used to calibrate the molecular diffusion coefficient, of which the correlation coefficient was over 0.9, and explore the salt-release process across the sediment–water interface in Yuehu Lake, China. Furthermore, we discuss the influence of hydrologic conditions in terms of the lake stage and hydrodynamic conditions with water-exchange on the process of salt exchange between the sediment and water based on numerical simulations. Our findings showed that water-exchange accelerated the process of salt release from the sediment and maintained a relatively low salinity in the surface water. The salt-release rate decreased gradually as the concentration gradient between the water and sediment decreased. A frequency of water-exchange of 90 d maintained a rapid salt-release rate with fewer water-exchange steps. The influence of the lake stage was weak on the salt-release process at low-permeability area and salt release was not impeded before the salt capacity of water reached the maximum value. When the water–sediment salinity reached equilibrium, the salt-release process between the water and sediment equilibrated as the supply from the lower layers equaled the release to the water at the interface. These results are important in regard to controlling surface water salinization in coastal reclamation areas.

Effects of paleo sedimentary environment in saline lacustrine basin on organic matter accumulation and preservation: A case study from the Dongpu Depression, Bohai Bay Basin, China

The Dongpu Depression has abundant oil and gas resources, but the distribution of hydrocarbon resources and enrichment degrees of organic matter (OM) in the northern and southern Dongpu Depression have significant differences due to the diverse sedimentary environment. To gain deep insight into the effects of sedimentary environment on OM accumulation and preservation, a series of experiments including element geochemistry, organic geochemistry and isotope geochemistry were performed on core samples collected from the fresh, brackish and saline regions of the third member of the Eocene Shahejie Formation (Es3). The lacustrine closure, paleo-salinity, redox conditions, hydrodynamic conditions, paleo-climate and paleo-productivity were quantitatively evaluated. Controlling factors and OM enrichment models were evaluated and established. The results show that the Es3 Formation was deposited as the lake experienced closed saline to transitional and then fresh lake stages. The lacustrine deposits were accompanied by climate changes from dry to humid and strongly rifting during Es3 deposition. The weak hydrodynamic conditions (Zr/Rb) and paleo climate indices (δ18O, climate index, Fe/Mn, Sr/Cu and Al/Mg) imply that moderate humid and dry climate can encourage OM development and preservation. The paleo productivity indices (δ13C, P/Al, P/Ti and P content) are positively related to TOC indicating that high productivity promotes OM accumulation. All the paleo salinity indices (Z value, Sr/Ba and B/Ga) have positive correlations with TOC content, suggesting that OM enrichment increases with salinity to some extent. The positive relationships between the redox indices (V/Cr, V/Sc, U/Th, and δU) and TOC indicate that redox conditions are the most important for OM preservation. This study not only advances the theory of OM enrichment mechanism in saline basins, but also provides guidance for predicting the distributions of high-quality source rocks in the Dongpu Depression.

Reconstruction of river valley evolution before and after the emplacement of the giant Seymareh rock avalanche (Zagros Mts., Iran)

Abstract. The Seymareh landslide, detached ∼10 ka from the northeastern flank of the Kabir-kuh fold (Zagros Mts., Iran), is recognized worldwide as the largest rock slope failure (44 Gm3) ever recorded on the exposed Earth surface. Detailed studies have been performed that have described the landslide mechanism and different scenarios have been proposed for explaining the induced landscape changes. The purpose of this study is to provide still missing time constraints on the evolution of the Seymareh River valley, before and after the emplacement of the Seymareh landslide, to highlight the role of geomorphic processes both as predisposing factors and as response to the landslide debris emplacement. We used optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) to date lacustrine and fluvial terrace sediments, whose plano-altimetric distribution has been correlated to the detectable knickpoints along the Seymareh River longitudinal profile, allowing the reconstruction of the evolutionary model of the fluvial valley. We infer that the knickpoint migration along the main river and the erosion wave propagation upstream through the whole drainage network caused the stress release and the ultimate failure of the rock mass involved in the landslide. We estimated that the stress release activated a mass rock creep (MRC) process with gravity-driven deformation processes occurring over an elapsed time-to-failure value on the order of 102 kyr. We estimated also that the Seymareh damming lake persisted for ∼3500 years before starting to empty ∼6.6 ka due to lake overflow. A sedimentation rate of 10 mm yr−1 was estimated for the lacustrine deposits, which increased up to 17 mm yr−1 during the early stage of lake emptying due to the increased sediment yield from the lake tributaries. We calculated an erosion rate of 1.8 cm yr−1 since the initiation of dam breaching by the Seymareh River, which propagated through the drainage system up to the landslide source area. The evolutionary model of the Seymareh River valley can provide the necessary constraints for future stress–strain numerical modeling of the landslide slope to reproduce the MRC and demonstrate the possible role of seismic triggering in prematurely terminating the creep-controlled time-to-failure pathway for such an extremely large case study.

A low-cost hydrologic observatory for monitoring the water balance of small lakes.

Global warming portends an accelerated water cycle as increased evaporation feeds atmospheric moisture and precipitation. To monitor effects on surface water levels, we describe a low-cost hydrologic observatory suitable for small to medium size lakes. The observatory comprises sensor platforms that were built in-house to compile continuous, sub-daily water budgets. The variables measured directly are lake stage (S), evaporation (E), and precipitation (P). A net inflow term (Qnet) is estimated as a residual in the continuity equation: ∆S = P - E + Qnet. We describe how to build in-lake stilling wells and floating evaporation pans using readily available materials. We assess their performance in laboratory tests and field trials. A 3-month deployment on a small Wisconsin lake (18 ha, 10 m deep) confirms that continuous estimates of ∆S, E, P, and Qnet can be made with good precision and accuracy at hourly time scales. During that deployment, daily estimates of E from the floating evaporation pans were comparable with estimates made using the more data-intensive Bowen ratio energy balance method and a mass transfer model. Since small lakes are numerically dominant and widely distributed across the globe, a network of hydrologic observatories would enable the calibration and validation of climate models and consumptive use policies at local and regional scales. And since the observatories are inexpensive and relatively simple to maintain, citizen scientists could facilitate the expansion of spatial coverage with minimal training.

A Historical Perspective on Water Levels and Storage Capacity of Lake Okeechobee, Florida: Pre- and Early Drainage Periods

Evaluating the water storage function of Lake Okeechobee can provide important insight into understanding the lake’s historical role in attenuating the magnitude and timing of flows (particularly during the wet season) in the Greater Everglades region. This article investigates the predrainage and early postdrainage spatial extent, lake stages, and changes to plant communities. Two periods of time were assessed: predrainage (prior to 1880) and early postdrainage (1880–1945). Analyses were conducted by integrating written historical accounts, lake stages, and hydrographs with a geospatial analysis derived from nautical charts and other historical maps from additional points in time (1913 and 1926). Results indicate that predrainage lake stages were much higher than the current water management regime, but the spatial extent of the lake open water is relatively unchanged. We estimated a reduction in storage volume of Lake Okeechobee from 6,922 million m3 to 4,347 million m3 during the early postdrainage period (1880–1945) at high lake stages. This represents a loss in volume of 2,575 million m3 at a high lake level and of 3,016 million m3 at a low lake level. The loss in storage volume has changed the historical flow patterns from the Lake Okeechobee region with consequences to downstream watersheds. Key Words: bathymetry, environmental history, Everglades, geographic information systems, shoreline.

The sedimentary evolution of Da Qaidam Salt Lake in Qaidam Basin, northern Tibetan Plateau: implications for hydro-climate change and the formation of pinnoite deposit

Da Qaidam Salt Lake, northern Qaidam Basin, is known for its liquid and solid boron resource. More than that, pinnoite-bearing sediments, occurring in this lake, are rare in the world. However, little attention has been paid to the hydro-climate change and brine evolution correlation with the formation of pinnoite deposit. According to the multi-proxy records, as well as AMS 14C dating, the sediment profiles DCD02 and DCD03 from Da Qaidam Salt Lake were studied. The results revealed that the ore-forming age of three pinnoite deposits are 7.83–8.62 cal ka BP, 6.74–7.07 cal ka BP and 4.66–5.41 cal ka BP. The sedimentary evolution of Da Qaidam Salt Lake along with the pinnoite formation during the past 13,000 years can be divided into four stages, i.e., (1) relatively fresh and deep paleo-lake with low salinity during 12.98–9.00 cal ka BP; (2) seasonal variations between fresh and brackish paleo-lake during 9.00–8.62 cal ka BP; (3) salt lake stage with relatively high salinity and alkalinity during 8.62–4.66 cal ka BP, and (4) relatively shallow lake with high salinity since 4.66 cal ka BP. Under favorable sedimentologic and hydrogeochemical conditions, a series of boron deposits including pinnoite ore formed in different zones of Da Qaidam Salt Lake due to the different ore-forming mechanisms. Finally, under the differential effect of climate warming condition between the high mountain catchments and arid basin, the boron ore-forming model was established as a higher mountain–lower basin–shallower water model.

Circulation Factors for the Current Low Water Level within the Lake Baikal Drainage Basin

We examined the relationships between the dynamics of surface inflow into Lake Baikal and the runoff of the main tributaries of the Baikal drainage basin and regional and global circulation parameters to determine the role of certain of the meteorological factors in the current low water level within the Baikal catchment area. A decrease or an increase in the runoff of Baikal’s rivers in the summer months depends on the synoptic situation in the south of East Siberia and in the north of Mongolia where southern cyclones provide the main influx of moisture to the Baikal region. We used different indices as climatic and circulation factors which characterize the specific features in the forms of atmospheric circulation in high and low latitudes of the northern hemisphere (NAO, AO, SCAND, and others) as well as the anomalies of mean monthly values of surface pressure and geopotential heights of isobaric surface AT-500 in the zone of 43–50°N and 90–115°E. It was found that the low water level within the Lake Baikal drainage basin has persisted since 1996 but it has manifested itself particularly clearly due to the lake stage reduction. In the south of Siberia and in the north of Mongolia, since the early 21st century there has been an enhancement in anticyclogenesis processes accompanied by an increase in air temperature, surface pressure and geopotential altitudes at the level of the mid-troposphere (5 km). The more favorable conditions for river runoff formation are created during the development of the ridge of elevated and low pressure over Ural and the associated ridge of low pressure over Siberia, with cyclogenesis processes occurring in front of them over the territory of Mongolia and the south of East Siberia at the Earth’s surface. Elevated precipitation and runoff are observed at the time of blocking anticyclones over Transbaikalia and the Far East, which are responsible for a long-lasting persistence of Mongolian cyclones.

Organic Carbon and Nitrogen Stocks Along a Thermokarst Lake Sequence in Arctic Alaska.

Thermokarst lake landscapes are permafrost regions, which are prone to rapid (on seasonal to decadal time scales) changes, affecting carbon and nitrogen cycles. However, there is a high degree of uncertainty related to the balance between carbon and nitrogen cycling and storage. We collected 12 permafrost soil cores from six drained thermokarst lake basins (DTLBs) along a chronosequence north of Teshekpuk Lake in northern Alaska and analyzed them for carbon and nitrogen contents. For comparison, we included three lacustrine cores from an adjacent thermokarst lake and one soil core from a non thermokarst affected remnant upland. This allowed to calculate the carbon and nitrogen stocks of the three primary landscape units (DTLB, lake, and upland), to reconstruct the landscape history, and to analyze the effect of thermokarst lake formation and drainage on carbon and nitrogen stocks. We show that carbon and nitrogen contents and the carbon‐nitrogen ratio are considerably lower in sediments of extant lakes than in the DTLB or upland cores indicating degradation of carbon during thermokarst lake formation. However, we found similar amounts of total carbon and nitrogen stocks due to the higher density of lacustrine sediments caused by the lack of ground ice compared to DTLB sediments. In addition, the radiocarbon‐based landscape chronology for the past 7,000 years reveals five successive lake stages of partially, spatially overlapping DTLBs in the study region, reflecting the dynamic nature of ice‐rich permafrost deposits. With this study, we highlight the importance to include these dynamic landscapes in future permafrost carbon feedback models.

Statistical Analysis of Extreme Events in Precipitation, Stream Discharge, and Groundwater Head Fluctuation: Distribution, Memory, and Correlation

Hydrological extremes in the water cycle can significantly affect surface water engineering design, and represents the high-impact response of surface water and groundwater systems to climate change. Statistical analysis of these extreme events provides a convenient way to interpret the nature of, and interaction between, components of the water cycle. This study applies three probability density functions (PDFs), Gumbel, stable, and stretched Gaussian distributions, to capture the distribution of extremes and the full-time series of storm properties (storm duration, intensity, total precipitation, and inter-storm period), stream discharge, lake stage, and groundwater head values observed in the Lake Tuscaloosa watershed, Alabama, USA. To quantify the potentially non-stationary statistics of hydrological extremes, the time-scale local Hurst exponent (TSLHE) was also calculated for the time series data recording both the surface and subsurface hydrological processes. First, results showed that storm duration was most closely related to groundwater recharge compared to the other storm properties, while intensity also had a close relationship with recharge. These relationships were likely due to the effects of oversaturation and overland flow in extreme total precipitation storms. Second, the surface water and groundwater series were persistent according to the TSLHE values, because they were relatively slow evolving systems, while storm properties were anti-persistent since they were rapidly evolving in time. Third, the stretched Gaussian distribution was the most effective PDF to capture the distribution of surface and subsurface hydrological extremes, since this distribution can capture the broad transition from a Gaussian distribution to a power-law one.

Characterization of Hydraulic Heterogeneity of Alluvial Aquifer Using Natural Stimuli: A Field Experience of Northern Italy

This study investigates the hydraulic heterogeneity of the alluvial aquifer underneath the dam and the stilling basin of a flood protection structure in Northern Italy. The knowledge of the interactions between the water in the reservoir upstream of the dam and the groundwater levels is relevant for the stability of the structure. A Bayesian Geostatistical Approach (BGA) combined with a groundwater flow model developed in MODFLOW 2005 has been used to estimate the hydraulic conductivity (HK) field in a context of a highly parameterized inversion. The transient hydraulic heads collected in 14 monitoring points represent the calibration dataset; these observations are the results of the hydraulic stresses induced by the variations of the lake stage upstream of the dam (natural stimuli). The geostatistical inversion was performed by means of a computer code, bgaPEST, developed according to the free PEST software concept. The results of the inversion show a moderate degree of heterogeneity of the estimated HK field, consistent with the alluvial nature of the aquifer and the other information available. The calibrated groundwater model is useful for simulating the interactions between the reservoir and the studied aquifer under different flood scenarios and for forecasting the hydraulic head levels due to strong flood events. The use of natural stimuli is useful for obtaining information for aquifer heterogeneity characterization.

Reconstruction of Turgoyak lake (the Southern Urals) ecosystem changes in holocene

Object.Multi-proxy analysis of 265 cm long sediments core of Lake Turgoyak, one of the deepest lakes of the Southern Urals, is presented.Materials and methods.The lake ecosystem changes was reconstructed based on diatom, radiocarbon dating and geochemical analysis. Statistical treatment of the surface sediments composition and hydrochemistry data of 56 lakes from Southern and Middle Urals lakes database allowed to obtain geochemical indexes for reconstruction of water parameters: index of organic matter content (ОМ = LOI550ºС/(Al2O3 + TiO2 + Na2O + K2O)) and index of salinity (ММ = LOI950ºC/LOI550ºС). Results. Radiocarbon dating shows that sedimentation in Lake Turgoyak was began more than 12 cal kyr BP ago. Each of six lithological units of sediments core is characterized by its own geochemical features and associated with global (11.8, 11.2, 8.2 cal kyr BP) and regional (12, 10.3 cal kyr BP) climate events of the Northern Hemisphere. Four main stages of Lake ecosystem development were identified: 1) the beginning of lake sedimentation (>12.1 cal kyr BP); 2) the stage of a subsaline shallow-water lake (12.1–11.2 cal kyr BP); 3) the stage of a freshwater lake with increased water-level (11.2–8.0 cal kyr BP); 4) the stage of water organic matter increase (<8.0 cal kyr BP).Conclusions.High content of mesohalobic diatoms and salinity module values showed significant increase of lake water salinity as response to Early Holocene climate warming (11.8–11.2 cal kyr BP). Pantle-Buck’s Saprobity Index and OM values pointed to the lake water organic matter increase due to the next climate warming since 9–8 cal kyr BP. Thus, Lake Turgoyak water parameters were reapeatedly changed during the Holocene. However the response of lake ecosystem was different in different periods of its development.

Linkages between hydrology and seasonal variations of nutrients and periphyton in a large oligotrophic subalpine lake

Periphyton is important to lake ecosystems, contributing to primary production, nutrient cycling, and benthic metabolism. Increases in periphyton growth in lakes can be indicative of changes in water quality, shifts in ecosystem structure, and increases in nutrient fluxes. In oligotrophic lakes, conservationists are interested in characterizing the influence of hydrological drivers on excessive periphyton growth along nearshore areas. We collected nutrient samples bi-weekly from groundwater and surface water during a 9-month monitoring period to evaluate the timing and availability of nutrients to eulittoral periphyton in Lake Tahoe. Groundwater discharge rates were measured synoptically using seepage meters and estimated indirectly using continuous head gradient measurements and aquifer properties estimated by slug tests. The discharge measurements made from the seepage meter measurements provide information about the spatial variability perpendicular from shore along and the change in groundwater discharge due to wave action. Algal biomass sampled from substrates and observed using underwater photographs were used to correlate seasonal growth and nutrient concentrations in groundwater and lake water. Results indicate that groundwater and nutrient discharge are temporally variable due to seasonal changes in recharge within the watershed, wave action, and lake stage. Groundwater discharge was enhanced by the seasonally-low lake stage and episodic recharge caused by precipitation falling as rain in the watershed. Increases in dissolved phosphorus and nitrate in the lake during winter are attributed to groundwater discharge and correlates to increases in algal biomass in the nearshore area. Results indicate that nutrient-rich groundwater discharge appears to stimulate seasonal periphyton blooms along the eulittoral zone of Lake Tahoe.

Gradual late stage deepening of Gega ice-dammed lake, Tsangpo gorge, southeastern Tibet, indicated by preliminary sedimentary rock magnetic properties

Gega lake, in southeastern Tibet, was formed by the blocking of Yarlung Tsangpo gorge by a glacier and is a well-known example of geomorphological damming. However, the evolution of the damming process at the site is still not understood in detail. Here, we use measurements of multiple magnetic parameters of the sediments from the Yusong (YS) 3 section, which is well-dated by optically stimulated luminescence, to provide a detailed history of the late stage of Gega dammed lake since 17.0 ka. Low-frequency field magnetic susceptibility (chi(lf)) increases upwards gradually from 25 to 79 x 10(-8) m(3)/kg above 5.5 m, but other magnetic properties, such as frequency-dependent magnetic susceptibility (chi(fd)% and (fd)), susceptibility of anhysteretic remanent magnetization (chi(ARM)), and saturation isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM) did not show a similar degree of enhancement. The magnetic grain size indicators of chi(ARM)/chi(lf), chi(ARM)/SIRM, and chi(lf)/SIRM all indicate a trend of increasing magnetic grain size from the 5.5 m to the top of section; however, the bulk sediment grain size decreases gradually within the same interval. The total organic carbon is very low (0.2-0.7%), and thus, it is unlikely that the sedimentary environment is sufficiently strongly reducing to lead to the dissolution of magnetic minerals. Therefore, we infer that the coarsening-upwards of the magnetic grain size, and the increasing magnetic susceptibility from 5.5 m, reflect the gradual preferential preservation of magnetic minerals, caused by the deepening of the lake. Thus, we interpret the magnetic record of the section as reflecting the gradual deepening of the late stage of Gega ice-dammed lake. Last, the abrupt disappearance of the lake may have resulted in an outburst flood.

Environmental evolution of western Baltic Sea in the Holocene in the light of multidisciplinary investigations of sediments cores from Arkona Basin

A multidisciplinary investigation performed on gravity cores, supplemented by a new radiocarbon dating of macrofossils, outlined the environmental evolution of Arkona Basin in the Holocene. Studies comprising the analysis of diatoms, geochemistry, grain size, and radiocarbon dating clarified the knowledge about the age and environmental changes during freshwater and marine transgressions and regressions. The acoustic profiling method allowed proper interpretation of the analysis results from sediment cores and created a proper lithostratigraphic model of the investigated basin. Baltic Ice Lake and Yoldia Sea sediment layers were identified acoustically and cores penetrated the final regression surface of the Baltic Ice Lake. The analyses of cores concentrated on Ancylus Lake and Littorina Sea sediments. Two phases of the Ancylus Lake stage were identified. The peaks of loss on ignition in the cores, observed as a strong acoustic reflector, were identified as a marker of Ancylus Lake regression between the first, high-water level phase and the second, shallow-water phase. The age of onset of Littorina transgression was estimated at around 7000–7200 cal BP and was younger than some previous estimations. The retrieved age confirmed the suggestion that the marine environment appeared first in Mecklenburg Bay and then after a few hundred years in Arkona Basin as an intensive transgression. The appearance of Littorina Sea revealed a fast shift of the environment from lacustrine to marine. The first phase of the Littorina stage was recognised as a rapidly increasing water level and high-energy environment; the second showed rapidly increasing salinity in the calmer conditions of sedimentation.