Tropical High Mountain Lakes Research Articles

Water quality characteristics of a high altitude oligotrophic Mexican lake

Lake Zirahuen, a small (10.48km2) tropical high-mountain lake located in the Mexican Neovolcanic Axis, is under severe anthropogenic pressure. Its maximum depth is 43m. The annual water balance is controlled by differences between rainfall, plus seepage, watershed runoff, and the main stream ‘La Palma’ plus evaporation. Tropical latitudinal conditions and high altitude produce thermal characteristics intermediate between temperate and tropical lakes. Transparency is good (up to 7.0m). The nutrient relationship for N:P suggests that phosphorus remains limiting to primary productivity. Maximum phytoplankton chlorophyll a occurs in September at the end of the rainy season. Trophic state models suggest that Lake Zirahuen is an oligotrophic system. However, increasing erosion loads and untreated sewage input indicate the need for compatible watershed and lake management strategies which will ensure the conservation of the system and its sustainable development.

Water quality characteristics of a high altitude oligotrophic Mexican lake

Abstract Lake Zirahuen, a small (10.48 km2) tropical high-mountain lake located in the Mexican Neovolcanic Axis, is under severe anthropogenic pressure. Its maximum depth is 43 m. The annual water balance is controlled by differences between rainfall, plus seepage, watershed runoff, and the main stream ‘La Palma’ plus evaporation. Tropical latitudinal conditions and high altitude produce thermal characteristics intermediate between temperate and tropical lakes. Transparency is good (up to 7.0 m). The nutrient relationship for N:P suggests that phosphorus remains limiting to primary productivity. Maximum phytoplankton chlorophyll a occurs in September at the end of the rainy season. Trophic state models suggest that Lake Zirahuen is an oligotrophic system. However, increasing erosion loads and untreated sewage input indicate the need for compatible watershed and lake management strategies which will ensure the conservation of the system and its sustainable development.

Phycoflora of the tropical high-mountain lake El Sol, Central Mexico, and some biogeographical relationships

Algae collected from an oligotrophic crater lake were identified andcompared with similar regional information. A total of 50 genera and105 infrageneric taxa were identified, mostly Chlorophyta (66%),Cyanophyta (20%) and Bacillariophyta (7 genera: one central and sixpennates). Relatively few Chlorococcales were found in thisoligotrophic lake. The families most frequently found wereOedogoniaceae (18 species), Desmidiaceae (17), Zygnemataceae (13),Oscillatoriaceae (11), and Chaetophoraceae (9). Two genera ofCyanophyta, seven of Chlorophyta and 59 species are first records forMexico.

Tropical High Mountain Lakes of New Guinea and Their Zoogeographical Relationship Compared with Other Tropical High Mountain Lakes

Tropical High Mountain Lakes of New Guinea and Their Zoogeographical Relationship Compared with Other Tropical High Mountain Lakes

The limnology of tropical high-mountain lakes

The limnology of tropical high-mountain lakes