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Showing papers in "Journal of Paleolimnology in 1990"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, first-order error analysis and Monte Carlo simulation (of cores from Florida PIRLA lakes) are used as independent estimates of dating uncertainty, and confidence intervals for 210Pb dates are calculated.
Abstract: Lead-210 assay and dating are subject to several sources of error, including natural variation, the statistical nature of measuring radioactivity, and estimation of the supported fraction. These measurable errors are considered in calculating confidence intervals for 210Pb dates. Several sources of error, including the effect of blunders or misapplication of the mathematical model, are not included in the quantitative analysis. First-order error analysis and Monte Carlo simulation (of cores from Florida PIRLA lakes) are used as independent estimates of dating uncertainty. CRS-model dates average less than 1% older than Monte Carlo median dates, but the difference increases non-linearly with age to a maximum of 11% at 160 years. First-order errors increase exponentially with calculated CRS-model dates, with the largest 95% confidence interval in the bottommost datable section being 155±90 years, and the smallest being 128±8 years. Monte Carlo intervals also increase exponentially with age, but the largest 95% occurrence interval is 152±44 years. Confidence intervals calculated by first-order methods and ranges of Monte Carlo dates agree fairly well until the 210Pb date is about 130 years old. Older dates are unreliable because of this divergence. Ninety-five per cent confidence intervals range from about 1–2 years at 10 years of age, 10–20 at 100 years, and 8–90 at 150 years old.

607 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
Ingemar Renberg1
TL;DR: In this paper, a procedure for making diatom microscopy slides from large numbers of sediment samples, simultaneously, is described, which is fast, cheap, gentle to the diatoms and needs little fume cupboard space.
Abstract: A procedure is described for making diatom microscopy slides from large numbers of sediment samples, simultaneously. The method uses small sediment samples, small test tubes, small amounts of hydrogen peroxide, no decantings, no centrifuging, and it requires no washing-up of glassware. It is, therefore, fast, cheap, gentle to the diatoms and needs little fume cupboard space.

365 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Paleoecological analysis of the sediment record of 12 Adirondack lakes reveals that the 8 clearwater lakes with current pH < 5.5 and alkalinity < 10 μ eq l-1 have acidified recently as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Paleoecological analysis of the sediment record of 12 Adirondack lakes reveals that the 8 clearwater lakes with current pH < 5.5 and alkalinity < 10 μeq l-1 have acidified recently. The onset of this acidification occurred between 1920 and 1970. Loss of alkalinity, based on quanitative analysis of diatom assemblages, ranged from 2 to 35 μeq l-1. The acidification trends are substantiated by several lines of evidence including stratigraphies of diatom, chrysophyte, chironomid, and cladoceran remains, Ca:Ti and Mn:Ti ratios, sequentially extracted forms of Al, and historical fish data. Acidification trends appear to be continuing in some lakes, despite reductions in atmospheric sulfur loading that began in the early 1970s. The primary cause of the acidification trend is clearly increased atmospheric deposition of strong acids derived from the combustion of fossil fuels. Natural processes and watershed disturbances cannot account for the changes in water chemistry that have occurred, but they may play a role. Sediment core profiles of Pb, Cu, V, Zn, S, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, magnetic particles, and coal and oil soot provide a clear record of increased atmospheric input of materials associated with the combustion of fossil fuels beginning in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The primary evidence for acidification occurs after that period, and the pattern of water chemistry response to increased acid inputs is consistent with current understanding of lake-watershed acidification processes.

146 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the Renberg and Wik method was applied to a sediment core taken from Loch Tinker in Western Scotland, which had previously been analysed using the original Renberg & Wik method, which was found to be more sensitive to low particle numbers and more accurate, due to a more efficient extraction and a higher magnification for microscope counting.
Abstract: The methods found in the literature for the extraction of carbonaceous particles from lake sediment are discussed The technique used by Griffin & Goldberg (1975) on Lake Michigan sediments was improved by modifying the procedure to halve the extraction time and reduce the risk of fragmentation This method was then applied to a sediment core taken from Loch Tinker in Western Scotland, which had previously been analysed using the Renberg & Wik method Although the basic trends for both methods are the same, the new method is found to be more sensitive to low particle numbers and more accurate, due to a more efficient extraction and a higher magnification for microscope counting

126 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the diatom assemblages were dominated by cosmopolitan species and taxa of submersed bryophytic habitats, which also occur in the bryophilic diatom flora of southern South America.
Abstract: The diatom stratigraphy of Holocene sediment cores from two Antarctic lakes (Mondsee, Tiefersee; 62° 10′ S/58° 50′ W) of King George Island was investigated. The diatom assemblages were dominated by cosmopolitan species. The flora was composed of three main components: 1) taxa of submersed bryophytic habitats, which also occur in the bryophilic diatom flora of southern South America; 2) species of various terrestrial habitats, including some specific subantarctic taxa; 3) species distributed in coastal inland waters influenced by sea-spray.

117 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Results strongly suggest that stratigraphic analyses of Chaoborus mandibles provide a useful assessment of the general status of historical fish populations in Adirondack lakes and should be useful in other regions, as well as for applications other than those concerning lake acidification.
Abstract: Paleolimnological analyses of Chaoborus mandibles were used to assess the status of fish populations over the previous 150 to 300 years in five lakes from the Adirondack region of New York State. Windfall Pond (pH 6.5) has not acidified and currently has viable fish populations. Big Moose Lake (pH 5.0) has acidified in recent years, and the number of fish populations declined from 14 in the 1930's to seven in the early 1980's. The occurrence of only migratory Chaoborus (subgenus Sayomyia) in the cores indicated the long term presence of fish populations in Windfall Pond and Big Moose Lake. Brooktrout Lake (pH 5.0), Deep Lake (pH 4.7) and Upper Wallface Pond (pH 4.8) have all acidified in recent years, and all three are currently fishless. Chaoborus (Sayomyia) was present throughout the Brooktrout Lake core, but the entirely limnetic species, C. americanus, appeared in the topmost interval in the core. The appearance of C. americanus in the top of the core indicated a recent elimination of fish from Brooktrout Lake, probably during the 1970's. Elimination of fish by the 1940's was inferred for Deep Lake because C. americanus appeared above the 1930 level and replaced C. trivittatus as the dominant. Dominance of C. americanus throughout the Upper Wallface Pond core indicated that planktivorous fish were never present. These results strongly suggest that stratigraphic analyses of Chaoborus mandibles provide a useful assessment of the general status of historical fish populations in Adirondack lakes. The technique should be useful in other regions, as well as for applications other than those concerning lake acidification.

93 citations



Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results of a multidisciplinary study of cores in southwestern Lake Michigan suggest that the materials in these cores can be interpreted in terms of both isostatically and climatically induced changes in lake level as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Preliminary results of a multidisciplinary study of cores in southwestern Lake Michigan suggest that the materials in these cores can be interpreted in terms of both isostatically and climatically induced changes in lake level. Ostracodes and mollusks are well preserved in the Holocene sediments, and they provide paleolimnologic and paleoclimatic data, as well as biogenic carbonate for stable-isotope studies and radiocarbon dating. Pollen and diatom preservation in the cores is poor, which prevents comparison with regional vegetation records. New accelerator-mass spectrometer 14C ages, from both carbon and carbonate fractions, provide basin-wide correlations and appear to resolve the longstanding problem of anomalously old ages that result from detrital organic matter in Great Lakes sediments. Several cores contain a distinct unconformity associated with the abrupt fall in lake level that occurred about 10.3 ka when the isostatically depressed North Bay outlet was uncovered by the retreating Laurentide Ice Sheet. Below the unconformity, ostracode assemblages imply deep, cold water with very low total dissolved solids (TDS), and bivalves have δ 18O (PDB) values as light as — 10 per mil. Samples from just above the unconformity contain littoral to sublittoral ostracode species that imply warmer, higher-TDS (though still dilute) water than that inferred below the unconformity. Above this zone, another interval with δ 18O values more negative than — 10 occurs. The isotopic data suggest that two influxes of cold, isotopically light meltwater from Laurentide ice entered the lake, one shortly before 10.3 ka and the other about 9 ka. These influxes were separated by a period during which the lake was warmer, shallower, but still very low in dissolved solids. One or both of the meltwater influxes may be related to discharge from Lake Agassiz into the Great Lakes. Sedimentation rates appear to have been constant from about 10 ka to 5 ka. Bivalve shells formed between about 8 and 5 ka have δ 18O values that range from-2.3 to-3.3 per mil and appear to decrease toward the end of the interval. The ostracode assemblages and the stable isotopes suggest changes that are climatically controlled, including fluctuating water levels and increasing dissolved solids, although the water remained relatively dilute (TDS < 300 mg/l). A dramatic decrease in sedimentation rates occurred at about 5 ka, about the time of the peak of the Nippissing high lake stage. This decrease in sedimentation rate may be associated with a large increase in effective wave base as the lake approached its present size and fetch. A dramatic reduction in ostracode and mollusk abundances during the late Holocene is probably due to this decrease in sedimentation rates, which would result in increased carbonate dissolution. Ostracode productivity may also have declined due to a reduction in bottom-water oxygen caused by increased epilimnion algal productivity.

67 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the spatial variability of sediment and diatom deposition was assessed in a small monomictic, eutrophic lake in Northern Ireland (Lough Augher, Co. Tyrone) using measurements from 17 sediment cores.
Abstract: Spatial variability of sediment and diatom deposition was assessed in a small monomictic, eutrophic lake in Northern Ireland (Lough Augher, Co. Tyrone) using measurements from 17 sediment cores. Loss-onignition profiles in water depths >6 m showed good repeatability, while littoral cores were more variable with localised profiles. Dry mass accumulation rates, derived by biostratigraphic correlation to a 210Pb dated master core, were variable and not correlated with water depth. Basin mean dry mass accumulation rate was 0.068 g cm-2 yr-1 (range 0.036–0.09) prior to 1900, and 0.19 g cm-2 yr-1 (range 0.11–0.3) after 1974. Post-1940 cumulative fluxes were estimated for dry mass (range 3.49–916 g cm-2) and diatoms (range 16.9–113.8×107 frustules cm-2). Cumulative dry mass was inversely correlated (r=−0.64) with distance from the inflow, indicating its localised influence. No variable was correlated with water depth except frustules of planktonic diatoms (r=0.66). However, high cumulative fluxes of diatoms and dry mass away from the inflow suggest that the expansion of the littoral macrophyte community may be responsible for decreased resuspension in shallow water, and together with increased sediment trapping, has enhanced sediment accumulation in shallow water over recent time periods.

55 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In the absence of any evidence to support the land-use hypothesis as a primary cause of recent lake acidification and in the light of several independent refutations, it is perhaps time to put the acid-deposition hypothesis to rest.
Abstract: Lakes perched on hill-tops have very small catchments. Their water chemistry is largely influenced by the chemical composition of precipitation and by the underlying bedrock geology. They are ideal sites for testing the hypothesis that land-use and associated soil changes are a major cause of recent lake acidification. On this hypothesis, hill-top lakes in SW Norway are predicted not to show any recent lake acidification because, by their very nature, the chemistry of such lakes is little influenced by land-use or soil changes. Palaeolimnological analyses of diatoms and chrysophytes show that prior to ca. 1914 the two hill-top lakes investigated were naturally acid with reconstructed lake-pH values of at least 4.8–5.1. Since ca. 1914 lake pH values declined to ca. 4.5–4.7. These results contradict the land-use hypothesis. All the available palaeolimnological evidence (diatoms, chrysophytes, pollen, sediment geochemistry, carbonaceous particles) is consistent with the acid-deposition hypothesis. In the absence of any evidence to support the land-use hypothesis as a primary cause of recent lake acidification and in the light of several independent refutations, it is perhaps time to put the land-use hypothesis for recent lake acidification to rest.

52 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, sediment accumulation rates in Aguadas Chimaj and Chilonche for the past 150 years are 0.015 and 0.047 g cm-2 yr-1 respectively.
Abstract: Shallow basins in the savannas of Peten, Guatemala filled with water after 305±55 BP (calibrated age+1430–1660 AD). Aguadas Chimaj and Chilonche possess dilute waters and iron-rich, clayey sediments that are poor in Ca and Mg, reflecting the highly weathered nature of riparian soils. Low 210Pb flux rates to Chimaj (0.085 pCi cm-2 yr-1) and Chilonche (0.134 pCi cm-2 yr-1) are attributed to low 222Rn emission rates from the nearby Caribbean Sea. Mean sediment accumulation rates in Chimaj and Chilonche for the past 150 years are 0.015 g cm-2 yr-1 and 0.047 g cm-2 yr-1 respectively. Forest expansion after 305 BP is documented in pollen profiles from the small aguadas and larger Lake Oquevix. Regional reforestation postdates the 9th century Classic Maya collapse and coincides with indigenous depopulation that was a consequence of European intrusion that began in the early 1500s. The timing of forest regrowth indicates the importance of historical anthropogenic factors in controlling Peten's vegetation. Nevertheless, other sedimentological lines of evidence (e.g. lithology, algal remains and charcoal particles) suggest that changing climate and/or local hydrology may have played a role in the reforestation process.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Paleoecological analyses of sediments from nine northern Great Lakes states (NGLS) lakes reveal small pH changes in seven of these lakes since 1860, four of these being declines.
Abstract: Paleoecological analyses of sediments from nine northern Great Lakes states (NGLS) lakes reveal small pH changes in seven of these lakes since 1860, four of these being declines. The largest diatom-inferred (DI) pH declines of 0.5 pH units were found in Brown L. and Denton L., Wisconsin. Two other lakes with suspected total alkalinity declines (based on an acidification model and on historical water chemistry, respectively), McNearney L., Michigan, and Camp 12 L., Wisconsin, have not acidified recently according to diatom-inference techniques. Many of the observed trends of increasing pH are coincident with logging; floristic composition of diatom assemblages also changed coincident with fisheries manipulations in some lakes, but these floristic trends did not affect DI pH. Sediment core profiles of Pb, S, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons provide a record of atmospheric deposition of fossil fuel combustion products beginning around the turn of the century; onset is later and accumulation rates are smaller than for other northeastern study regions of the Paleoecological Investigation of Recent Lake Acidification (PIRLA) Project. The response of diatom species to lakewater pH in the NGLS region is very strong and similar to response in other regions. Overall, there is little paleoecological evidence that acidic deposition has caused significant acidification of lakes in the NGLS region.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, it is suggested that the variations of magnetic properties in this sediment core are mainly the result of changes in particle size or organic content, implying shifts in the sedimentary environment, and a major shift in sedimentation, from lake to reedswamp, occurred in approximately 10 000-12 000 BP, in response to climatic change.
Abstract: Mineral magnetic measurements have been made on a long sediment core from Dianchi Lake, Southwest China. They have been used for sediment stratigraphy, for bulk lithological classification and for detailed particle-size-based characterisation. These results are set alongside those derived from geochemical, granulometric and pollen analysis to reconstruct the environmental processes recorded in the radiocarbon dated sediment column. It is suggested that the variations of magnetic properties in this sediment core are mainly the result of changes in particle size constitution or organic content, implying shifts in the sedimentary environment. Three distinctive stratigraphic horizons, with several subdivisions, have been identified on the basis of the magnetic measurements. They are coincident with the pollen assemblage zones, indicating the different climatic periods in the Kunming Basin since late Pleistocene times. This paper proposes that a major shift in sedimentation, from lake to reedswamp, occurred in approximately 10 000–12 000 BP, in response to climatic change.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a transfer function relating surface sediment diatom assemblages to lakewater pH (R2 = 0.89, s.e.t.=0.34) was presented.
Abstract: Thirty-two northern Florida lakes were analyzed to construct a transfer function relating surface sediment diatom assemblages to lakewater pH (R2=0.89, s.e.=0.34). A paleoecological analysis of sediment cores from six of these lakes indicated that two have become more acidic in the last 50 years. The diatom inferred (DI) pH of L. Barco has declined between 0.56–0.82 in the 1900's and DI ANC (acid neutralizing capacity) by 28–46 μeq l-1. The DI pH of nearby L. Suggs has declined 0.91 pH units and its DI ANC by 19 μeq l-1. The timing of the inferred acidification is synchronous with known increases in emissions of sulfates and nitrates that are associated with acidic precipitation. Also, the increasing accumulation of substances related to emissions from the burning of fossil fuels (e.g., Pb, PAH) co-occurs with the lowering of DI pH in the sedimentary record. However, other processes may have accounted for or contributed to recent lake acidification. For instance, the drawdown of local water tables by human consumption may decrease the inseepage of ANC to seepage lakes. Such an effect would be synchronous with increasing depositions of sulfate. There is also clear evidence that Florida lakes are naturally acidic. Thus, paleoecological results indicate acidic deposition to be at certain contributor, but not necessarily the sole cause, of the recent further acidification of some naturally acidic Florida lakes.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A technique has been developed for concentrating these particles from lake sediments involving the stepwise removal of unwanted components of the sediment, including organic material and biogenic silica.
Abstract: Inorganic ash particles are formed by the fusing of inorganic material present during the high temperature combustion of fossil fuels. As they accumulate in lake sediments, they record the history of atmospheric contamination produced from such sources. A technique has been developed for concentrating these particles from lake sediments involving the stepwise removal of unwanted components of the sediment, including organic material and biogenic silica. When applied to a sediment core taken from Loch Tinker, central Scotland, a particle concentration profile, very similar to that of the carbonaceous particle profile (the other component of fossil-fuel combustion ash) is produced. The concentration of the inorganic ash spheres in the sediment is approximately an order of magnitude higher than the carbonaceous particles and there appears to be a continuous pre-industrial background value. This seems to imply a similar source (i.e. coal combustion rather than oil) for both inorganic ash and carbonaceous particles. This method has also been used with success on peat cores.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The study provides strong evidence that, in the absence of past measured pH data, stratigraphic studies of sedimentary chrysophyte scales will provide accurate reconstructions of pH in northern New England lakes.
Abstract: Scaled chrysophytes in the surface sediments of 58 soft-water northern New England lakes were analyzed to assess their usefulness for inferring pH. The distributions of many taxa are correlated with lakewater pH and associated variables. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) and clustering grouped chrysophyte taxa according to their distributions along the pH gradient. For example, Chrysodidymus synuroideus, Mallomonas hindonii, and M. hamata commonly occur in acidic waters (pH<5.5), whereas M. caudata and M. pseudocoronata are common in circumneutral to alkaline waters. Of the five predictive models developed to infer pH, CCA based calibration had the lowest standard error (0.35 pH units). A CCA based predictive model was also developed to infer total alkalinity. The study provides strong evidence that, in the absence of past measured pH data, stratigraphic studies of sedimentary chrysophyte scales will provide accurate reconstructions of pH in northern New England lakes.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Diptera associations provide valuable information on the historical suitability of lakes for fish and the presence/absence of fish in regions where acidification of surface waters has occurred.
Abstract: Chaoborid and chironomid (Diptera) fossils were examined in sediment cores form nine Ontario Precambrian Shield lakes that were fishless in 1979. An abundance of Chaoborus americamus (intolerant of predation by fish) throughout cores from four lakes indicated that they were fishless historically. Occurrence of Chaoborus punctipennis and C. flavicans and absence of C. americanus in cores, except near the surface in two cases, indicated that four other lakes were inhabited by fish historically. One of these was probably periodically fishless as suggested by fluctuations among these Chaoborus species. The ninth lake was not suitable for Chaoborus; only one specimen of C. trivittatus was found in this core. Chironomid fossil associations were substantially different in historically fishless and inhabited lakes. Fishless lakes had chironomids typical of eutrophic conditions indicating that seasonal oxygen depletion likely was inimical to fish. Chironomid associations of oligotrophic waters occurred in lakes historically inhabited by fish. Both good water quality and accessibility were required for long-term habitation by fish. Partial recovery of alkalinity and rise in pH were accompanied by substantial re-invasion by fish in two lakes which had been inhabited historically by fish. Diptera associations provide valuable information on the historical suitability of lakes for fish and the presence/absence of fish in regions where acidification of surface waters has occurred.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, metal deposition patterns have been examined in sediment cores from three lakes in the Adirondack region of New York (USA), and the results indicate historical changes in watershed chemistry may have influenced metal chemistry in these lakes.
Abstract: Metal deposition patterns have been examined in sediment cores from three lakes in the Adirondack region of New York (USA). Sequential chemical extraction of Al, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn has yielded information on their chemical nature and potential mechanisms involved in their deposition. Results indicate historical changes in watershed chemistry may have influenced metal chemistry in these lakes. Detailed descriptions of the chemical forms of metals in sediments is not possible due to the fact that extraction methods are only operational. However, in two systems known to have been acidified in recent time by acidic deposition (Big Moose L. & Deep L.), concentrations of labile Al (in C1−C4 fraction) increase after 1940–1950, corresponding with lake acidification as inferred from diatom assemblages. Temporal trends in the inputs of Pb in the C1−C4 fraction are also consistent with known historical changes in atmospheric Pb inputs to the region. Chemical stratigraphies of Fe and Mn are most likely dominated by internal biogeochemical cycling within sediments.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Palaeoenvioonmental investigations based upon sediment cores retrieved from Baptiste Lake, Alberta (longitude 114° 34′ W; latitude 54° 45′ N) show that the sedimentary record spans approximately 4600 years as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Palaeoenvioonmental investigations based upon sediment cores retrieved from Baptiste Lake, Alberta (longitude 114° 34′ W; latitude 54° 45′ N) show that the sedimentary record spans approximately 4600 years. The pollen record reflects the dynamic nature of the southern boreal forest. These dynamic changes are reflected in the lake record itself. Climate and vegetation do not appear to have changed significantly; however, the lake does appear to have responded to climate change, particularly during the last 1000 to 700 years when temperatures decreased to modern values. It is at this time that there is a marked change from laminated to unlaminated sediments suggesting a change from meromixis to one where complete circulation takes place. As a result monolimnetic nutrients are released into the epilimnion. Catchment perturbations have occurred with fire appearing most important. Sedimentation rates are high on average and irregular, due in part to the many inflowing streams, catchment topography and fire. Lake production has always been high. Carbonate bands occur in the core at irregular intervals and appear to originate biogenically. Peaks in the number of pyrite spherules suggest that deoxygenation of the water column occurs irregularly, and the intensity of anaerobic conditions again varies. The diatom record indicates a eutrophic lake with Stephanodiscus hantzschii the dominant species. The lake appears to have steadily become more eutrophic with time and a succession of species has occurred with Asterionella formosa being succeeded in turn by Stephanodiscus niagare, Cyclotella comta and finally, Melosira granulata. The appearance of Melosira granulata corresponds to the change from laminated to unlaminated sediments, and to then both autochthonous and allochthonous nutrient input.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The variability of diatom distribution in an acidified, upland wind-stressed lake (Loch Fleet, Galloway, S. W. Scotland) was assessed by analysis of 28 surface sediment samples and 11 cores.
Abstract: The variability of diatom distribution in an acidified, upland wind-stressed lake (Loch Fleet, Galloway, S. W. Scotland) was assessed by analysis of 28 surface sediment samples and 11 cores. Correspondence analysis (CA) and cluster analysis were used to illustrate the variability of the surface sediment and core samples. There was reasonable uniformity of taxa in most of the surface sediment samples, although 7 samples, as indicated by both CA and cluster analyses were atypical. Most cores recorded clearly the acidification of the lake, although percentages of individual taxa varied up to 20% between cores. Two cores had old, preacidification diatom assemblages (of indeterminate age) close to the sediment surface. These old sediments were probably the source of the re-worked diatoms found in the atypical surface sediment assemblages. Diatom trends, as CA ordinations and pH profiles, were less variable than the surface sediment assemblages. It is argued that non-uniform sediment accumulation rates and diatom deposition cause variability in surface sediment diatom samples. This variability may be reduced in core profiles by homogenization during further resuspension/deposition cycles and burial. Cores, and the associated time component they offer, may be useful in assessing the variability of surface sediment assemblages.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A review of the development and objectives of the PIRLA project can be found in this paper, where the authors acknowledge the many who have supported it in so many crucial ways.
Abstract: Collected sets of papers synthesizing data derived from the PIRLA project (Paleoecological Investigation of Recent Lake Acidification) will appear in coming issues of the Journal of Paleolimnology. This paper is designed to highlight these forthcoming papers, review the development and objectives of PIRLA, and acknowledge the many who have supported PIRLA in so many crucial ways.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a positive relationship was found between limnetic sulfate and sediment S concentrations for the Great Lakes, English Lakes, and lakes from the Adirondack and Northern New England regions.
Abstract: This paper discusses the use of S as a paleolimnological tracer of limnetic sulfate concentration. A positive relationship (p<0.05) was found between limnetic sulfate and sediment S concentrations for the Great Lakes, English Lakes, and lakes from the Adirondack and Northern New England regions. There is a positive correlation (p<0.05) between C and S concentration in sediment across all regions studied. The importance of C in affecting S content in sediment was also examined by a series of cores taken at different water depths in Big Moose Lake (Adirondacks). There was a strong relationship between C and S among cores with sediment from deeper water having higher C and S concentrations (r 2=0.99). Sulfur from the shallower cores had greater concentrations of chromium-reducible S (pyrite), while cores from deeper waters had a greater proportion of organic S fractions including C-bonded S and ester sulfates. For assessing historical changes in S accumulation in sediments, enrichment factors were calculated for the PIRLA lakes. Pre-1900 net sediment accumulation rates of S were very similar across all regions. Sulfur enrichment was greatest in Adirondack sediment which had total post-1900 S accumulation of 1.1 to 7.4 times pre-1900 S accumulation. Sediment from Northern New England (NNE) generally had lower S concentration than Adirondack sediments and S enrichment factors ranged from 1.2 to 2.1. Sediment from the Northern Great Lakes States region had similar S concentration and distribution with depth to NNE sediment. In two Northern Florida lakes, sediment showed little variation in S concentration with depth, but in two other lakes from the same region, there was higher S concentration in deeper layers. Lakes which had the greatest enrichment factors also exhibited the most marked changes in C:S ratios. Ratios of C:N showed little variation (10.6 to 26.1) among the PIRLA lakes. A first order model indicated slow decomposition within these organic rich sediments. Elemental concentrations and ratios of sediment from a variety of lakes and reservoirs were complied. Maximum and minimum elemental ratios for all the data were 28 to 8.1 for C:N, 0.81 to 0.11 for C:H, and 675 to 12.5 for C:S, respectively. For the C:S ratios in all regions except the Great Lakes, the maximum ratio was less than 231. Both the maximum and minimum amount of N and H concentration of organic matter is related to biotic processes. The minimum concentration of S is regulated not only by nutrient demands but also by non-assimilatory processes. Sulfur incorporation into sediments is a function of a complex of factors, but limnetic sulfate concentration and organic matter content play a major role in regulating the S content of sediment. Further quantification of S incorporation pathways will aid in the paleolimnological interpretation of sediment S profiles. Such information is also important in assessing how S sediment pools will respond to decreases in limnetic sulfate concentration which may occur with decreases in inputs from acidic deposition.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: McNearney Lake is an acidic lake in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with low acid neutralizing capacity (ANC=-38 μeq L-1) and high SOI values.
Abstract: McNearney Lake is an acidic (pH=4.4) lake in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with low acid neutralizing capacity (ANC=-38 μeq L-1) and high SO inf4 sup2- and aluminium concentrations. Oligotrophy is indicated by high Secchi transparency and by low chlorophyll a, total phosphorus, and total nitrogen concentrations. The lake water is currently acidic because base cations are supplied to the lake water at a low rate and because SO inf4 sup2- from atmospheric deposition was not appreciably retained by the lake sediments or watershed and was present in the water column. This interdisciplinary paleolimnological study indicates that McNearney Lake is naturally acidic and has been so since at least 4000 years B.P., as determined from inferred-pH techniques based on contemporary diatom-pH relationships. Predicted pH values ranged from 4.7 to 5.0 over the 4000-year stratigraphy. Considerable shifts in species composition and abundance were observed in diatom stratigraphy, but present-day distributions indicate that all abundant taxa most frequently occur under acidic conditions, suggesting that factors other than pH are responsible for the shifts. The diatom-inferred pH technique as applied to McNearney Lake has too large an uncertainly and is not sensitive enough to determine the subtle recent changes in lakewater pH expected from changes in atmospheric deposition because: (1) McNearney Lake has the lowest pH in the contemporary diatom data set in the region and confidence intervals for pH predictions increase at the extremes of regressions; (2) other factors in addition to pH may be responsible for the diatom species distribution in the lake and in the entire northern Great Lakes region; (3) McNearney Lake has a well-buffered pH as a consequence of its low pH and high aluminium concentrations and is not expected to exhibit a large pH change as a result of changes in atmospheric deposition; and (4) atmospheric deposition in the region is modest and would not cause a pH shift large enough to be discernable in McNearney Lake. Elevated atmospheric deposition is indicated in recent sediments by Pb, V, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon accumulation rates and to a lesser extent by those of Cu and Zn; however, these accumulation rates are substantially lower than those observed for acidified lakes in the northeastern United States. Although atmospheric loadings of materials associated with fossil fuel combustion have recently increased to McNearney Lake and apparently are continuing, the present study of the diatom subfossil record does not indicate a distinct, recent acidification (pH decrease).


Journal ArticleDOI
Kurt A. Haberyan1
TL;DR: Sediment trap collections near Cape Maclear, Lake Malaŵi, were compared to phytoplankton and surface sediment diatoms to assess taphonomic variations as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Sediment trap collections near Cape Maclear, Lake Malaŵi, were compared to phytoplankton and surface sediment diatoms to assess taphonomic variations. The sedimenting diatom community became progressively different from the diatom plankton with increasing depth: long Nitzschia species were strongly under-represented in the traps (annually, 53% among planktonic diatoms vs. 14% in the offshore 29 m trap; p≪0.005 by Kruskal-Wallis test), while Melosira was greatly over-represented in traps (32% vs. 57%; p<0.005). The abundances of the minor taxa (Rhopalodia, Fragilaria, Cymbella, and Surirella) were greatly enhanced in traps relative to the plankton, but they were still relatively uncommon (<3% of all diatoms each). Differences in grazing, dissolution, and sinking rates alone are insufficient to account for these distortions; a combination of these, plus perhaps unknown factors, strongly influence the deposited assemblage. These misrepresentations were also present at the sediment surface. The greatest discrepancy was noted for Melosira (32% of plankton vs. 53% of sediment surface diatoms; p<0.005) and for elongate Nitzschia species (53% of plankton vs. 0.8% in sediments; p<0.005). In Lake Malaŵi, at least, paleolimnologists must not assume a straightforward correlation of modern and fossil assemblages.

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TL;DR: Three lakes, informally named Lakes Inqua, Instaar and Mercer, from the Jackman Sound area in Southern Baffin Island were cored as discussed by the authors, and the cores have been 14C dated (AMS).
Abstract: Three lakes, informally named Lakes Inqua, Instaar and Mercer, from the Jackman Sound area in Southern Baffin Island were cored. The elevation of the three lakes are 36 m above high tide (aht), 10 m aht and 1 m aht. The cores from Lakes Inqua and Mercer penetrated the marine/lacustrine boundary; the core from Lake Instaar is estimated to have come within ca. 5 cm of this boundary. In addition, grab samples and water samples were retrieved from the lakes. The cores have been 14C dated (AMS). Emergence of the three lake basins from the sea occurred approximately 8650 BP (Lake Inqua), 8630 BP (Lake Instaar) and 7900 BP (Lake Mercer, averaged date). This suggests a very rapid rate (>5 m/100 yrs) of glacio-isostatic rebound for this area. Down-core analyses of diatom assemblages indicate that the paleolimnology in the three lakes was similar. The diatom analyses suggest a change in climate between approximately 8000 and 6000 BP, which is also reflected in the marine record from the same area, and the onset of the neoglacial period around 4500 to 3800 BP. A decrease in diatom-inferred pH is evident in the lakes' development and can probably be related to the general change of the watershed vegetation with time.

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TL;DR: In this article, measurements of anhysteretic and isothermal remanences in cores 6 and 8 from Big Moose Lake reveal evidence for changes in magnetic mineralogy and grain size within and between the two cores.
Abstract: Measurements of anhysteretic (ARM) and isothermal (IRM) remanences in cores 6 and 8 from Big Moose Lake reveal evidence for changes in magnetic mineralogy and grain size within and between the two cores. It is proposed that changes in the strength and demagnetization characterizations of the IRM reflect the accumulation of atmospherically deposited magnetic minerals resulting from industrial processes. The record of ‘magnetite’ deposition especially in Core 6 parallels that for coal soot at the site. In both cores, the record of ‘haematite’ deposition parallels that for several anthropogenic indicators.

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TL;DR: In this article, the authors compared the distribution of scaled chrysophytes in the surface sediment of a calibration set of lakes from the Adirondack Park and from northern New England.
Abstract: The silica-scaled chrysophytes are being used increasingly in paleolimnological studies of lake acidification. This study compares the distribution of scaled chrysophytes in the surface sediment of a calibration set of lakes from the Adirondack Park and from northern New England. With the exception of two taxa, species distributions with respect to pH are similar in the two regions. The stratigraphic distribution of chrysophytes is then compared in five Adirondack and three New England lakes. All the presently acid lakes indicate recent lake acidification, with more acid tolerant chrysophytes increasing in relative frequency in the recent sediments. Because the timing of these species changes is unrelated to any watershed disturbances that may have occurred in the lakes' catchments, atmospheric deposition of acids is believed responsible for these recent pH changes.

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TL;DR: Magnetic susceptibility was used to test the representativity of the lithostratigraphy of a master sediment sequence from Lake Adran, eastern Sweden as mentioned in this paper, and five further sediment cores from the same lake were correlated and compared with the master sequence using magnetic susceptibility records.
Abstract: Magnetic susceptibility was used to test the representativity of the lithostratigraphy of a master sediment sequence from Lake Adran, eastern Sweden. Five further sediment cores from the same lake were correlated and compared with the master sequence using magnetic susceptibility records. Mineral magnetic correlations are generally based on matching prominent susceptibility features but may be significantly improved by using slot sequence analyses. The result of these analyses show that the sediment in the Lake Adran master sequence can be considered representative for the basin. The variations in the magnetic susceptibility in relation to pollen and diatom analyses also seem to reflect water level changes and shore displacement in the Baltic between 9900 14C years B.P. and the isolation at 5900 14C years B.P. The first emergence of scattered non-vegetated islands is characterised by high susceptibility values. Along with a continuous water lowering and the development of the vegetation during the Ancylus fresh water stage, susceptibility values gradually decrease. A rapid phase of the Ancylus regression between 9200 and 9000 14C years B.P. is seen as an increase in magnetic susceptibility. During the following Baltic brackish water stage, the Litorina stage, susceptibility values are at their lowest, followed by higher values at the isolation from the Baltic with a maximum around 5000 14C years B.P. Shore displacement between 9900 and 5900 14C years B.P. is discussed based on the magnetic susceptibility measurements and their relationship to the pollen and diatom analyses.

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TL;DR: In this paper, short core stratigraphy of total N, P, Zn, Hg and diatoms were investigated in the varved sediment of Lake Heinalampi, a small 8 m deep pond in East Finland.
Abstract: Short core stratigraphy of total N, P, Zn, Hg and diatoms were investigated in the varved sediment of Lake Heinalampi, a small 8 m deep pond in East Finland. The sediment has recently changed from organic mud to minerogenic silt. The presence of varved sediment offers independent control for 210Pb and 137Cs dates and these are in good agreement: the sediment quality initially changed around the year 1930 due to increaed field erosion, and the inflow of mineral matter was further increased by ditching of paludified forests in 1980.