Relationships between surface sediment diatom assemblages and lakewater characteristics in Adirondack Lakes

Journal Article · Sat Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1985 · Ecology (Engl. Transl.); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/1940561· OSTI ID:6917645

Charles, D F

Relationships between surface sediment diatom assemblages and lakewater characteristics were studied in 38 lakes in the Adirondack Mountains of northern New York. Most of the lakes are dilute, poorly buffered, and oligotrophic to mesotrophic. The diatom flora typical for circumneutral to acidic lakes. The purposes of this study were to identify the environmental factors most strongly related to the distributions of diatom taxa and the overall composition of diatom assemblages, and to derive equations to infer lakewater pH from diatom assemblage data. Relationships between diatom assemblages and environmental gradients were analyzed using reciprocal averaging ordination (RA). Correlations between Ra axis 1 and pH-related factors were strong. Correlations were weaker (but still statistically significant) with elevation, epilimnion temperature, and concentrations of SO/sub 4/, Cl, and Si. Total P, chlorophyll a, water color, and mean depth were not important in explaining differences among assemblages. Predictive equations were derived for inferring lakewater pH from diatom assemblage data. Agreement between predicted and measured pH was very good. These predictive relationships can be used to interpret stratigraphic diatom assemblages to reconstruct lake pH histories.

• Research Organization: Indiana Univ., Bloomington
• OSTI ID: 6917645
• Journal Information: Ecology (Engl. Transl.); (United States), Journal Name: Ecology (Engl. Transl.); (United States) Vol. 66:3; ISSN ECGYA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520200* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ALGAE
BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS
CHEMISTRY
DIATOMS
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
FEDERAL REGION II
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
LAKES
NEW YORK
NORTH AMERICA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PH VALUE
PLANTS
POPULATION DYNAMICS
SEDIMENTS
SULFATES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SURFACE WATERS
USA
WATER
WATER QUALITY