Sedimentary evidence for recent eutrophication in the northern basin of Lake Taihu,China: human impacts on a large shallow lake

Environmental change in Lake Taihu and its catchment since the early to middle part of the twentieth century has left a clear geochemical record in the lake sediments. The human activities in the lake and its catchment responsible for the change include agriculture, fishery, urbanisation, sewage and industrial waster disposal. Sediment cores were collected from Meilian Bay of northern Lake Taihu to investigate the record of anthropogenic impacts on the lake’s ecosystem and to assess its natural, pre-eutrophication baseline state. Two marked stratigraphic sediment units were identified on the basis of total phosphorus concentration (TP), pigments, total organic carbon (TOC)/total nitrogen (TN), δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N corresponding to stages in the lake history dominated by phytoplankton, and by aquatic macrophytes. Results show that as TP loading increased from the early 1950s the lake produced sediments with increasing amounts of organic matter derived from phytoplankton. In the early 1950s, the first evidence for eutrophication at the Meilian Bay site is recorded by an increase in C/N values and in sediment accumulation rate, but there is little change in phosphorus concentrations, pigments, δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N at this time. After 1990 a more rapid increase in trophic status took place indicated by increased levels of phosphorus, pigments, δ¹⁵N and by decreased δ¹³C and TOC/TN values in the lake sediments. The first increase in trophic status of the early 1950s results mainly from agricultural development in the catchment. In contrast, the acceleration from ca. 1990 originates from the recent development of fisheries and the urbanisation and industrialisation of the catchment.     

Elemental (C,N, H and P) and stable isotope (δ<Superscript>15</Superscript>N and δ<Superscript>13</Superscript>C) signatures in sediments from Zeekoevlei,South Africa: a record of human intervention in the lake

We used elemental carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and hydrogen ratios (C/N, N/P and H/C) with total organic carbon (TOC) and total phosphorus (TP) as well as stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) to investigate the source and depositional conditions of organic matter in sediments from Zeekoevlei, the largest freshwater lake in South Africa. Typical C/N (10–12), H/C ratios (≥1.7) and δ¹³C_organic values (−22 to −19‰) together with the increase in TOC concentration indicate elevated primary productivity in lower middle (18–22 cm) and top (0–8 cm) sections of the sediment cores. Seepage of nutrients from a nearby waste water treatment plant, rapid urbanization and heavily fertilized farming in the catchments are responsible for the increased productivity. Consistent with this, measured δ¹⁵N_organic values (∼11‰) indicate increased raw sewage input towards the top-section of the core. Although cyanobacterial blooms are evident from the low δ¹⁵N values (∼3‰) in mid-section of the core, they did not outnumber the phytoplankton population. Low N/P ratio (∼0) and high TP (100–2,200 mg l⁻¹) support cyanobacterial growth under N limited condition, and insignificant input of macrophytes towards the organic matter pool. Dredging in 1983, caused sub-aerial exposure of the suspended and surface sediments, and affected organic matter preservation in the upper mid-section (12–14 cm) of the core.     

Holocene trophic state history of a subtropical blackwater lake,South Georgia,USA

Organic-rich sediment from Lake Louise, a dystrophic sinkhole lake in south Georgia, displays variations in C, N, P, C/N, δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, biogenic silica (BSi) and diatom flora that document changes in trophic state over the past ~9,500 years. The lake initially was oligotrophic and moderately productive, but by the middle Holocene a rising regional water table, driven by eustatic sea level rise, caused expansion of wetlands around the lake and a shift to humic waters. Low rates of sediment accumulation, low C contents, rising C/N, and light δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N indicate this was a time of low productivity, more anoxic bottom waters and extensive recycling of littoral organic matter. These conditions persisted until ~1800 AD when a physical disturbance to the watershed, probably the Great Hurricane of 1780, resulted in a dramatic increase in productivity that has continued to the present day. We attribute this shift, recorded by a >tenfold increase in sediment accumulation rate, higher C, P, and δ¹⁵N, and lower BSi, to establishment of an inflow stream that increased nutrient delivery to the lake, raised water level, and expanded the wetland area around the lake. Since ~1930, logging, farming, and highway construction have impacted the lake, further accelerating biological productivity as well as the delivery of terrigenous sediment. Results of this study illustrate the potential of a single, catastrophic event to permanently alter the hydrology and chemistry of a lacustrine system and confirm that dystrophic lakes can be highly productive and therefore promising targets for paleolimnological study.     

Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios in surface sediments from lakes of western Ireland: implications for inferring past lake productivity and nitrogen loading

We used statistical analyses to determine which subset of 36 environmental variables best explained variations in surface sediment δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N from 50 lakes in western Ireland that span a human-impact gradient. The factors controlling lake sediment δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N depended on whether organics in the lake sediment were mostly derived from the lake catchment (allochthonous) or from productivity within the lake (autochthonous). Lake sediments with a dominantly allochthonous organic source (high C:N ratio sediments) produced δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N measurements similar to values from catchment vegetation. δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N measurements from lake sediments with a dominantly autochthonous organic source (low C:N ratio sediments) were influenced by fractionation in the lake and catchment leading up to assimilation of carbon and nitrogen by lacustrine biota. δ¹³C values from lake sediment samples in agricultural catchments were more negative than δ¹³C values from lake sediment samples in non-impacted, bogland catchments. Hypolimnetic oxygen concentrations and methane production had a greater influence on δ¹³C values than fractionation due to algal productivity. δ¹⁵N from lake sediment samples in agricultural catchments were more positive than δ¹⁵N in non-impacted bogland catchments. Lower δ¹⁵N values from non-impacted lake catchments reflected δ¹⁵N values of catchment vegetation, while higher δ¹⁵N values in agricultural catchments reflected the high δ¹⁵N values of cattle manure and inorganic fertilisers. The influence of changing nitrogen sources and lake/catchment fractionation processes were more important than early diagenesis for lake sediment δ¹⁵N values in this dataset. The results from this study suggest a possible influence of bound inorganic nitrogen on the bulk sediment δ¹⁵N values. We recommend using a suitable method to control for bound inorganic nitrogen in lake sediments, especially when working with clay-rich sediments. This study confirms the usefulness of δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N from bulk lake sediments, as long as we are mindful of the multiple factors that can influence these values. This study also highlights how stable isotope datasets from lake surface sediments can complement site-specific isotope source/process studies and help identify key processes controlling lake sediment δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N in a study area.     

A 140-year record of recent changes in aquatic productivity in a remote,tropical alpine lake in the Rwenzori Mountain National Park,Uganda

Environmental change in many tropical, alpine habitats remains poorly resolved due to an absence of proximate and sustained observations. In the Rwenzori Mountains of East Africa, glaciers have receded rapidly over the last century, and here we assess the impact of this recession through palaeolimnological analyses of a 45 cm sediment core (Buju3) from Lake Bujuku which is closest to the ice-fields and partly supplied by melt water in-flows. ²¹⁰Pb and ¹³⁷Cs suggest that Buju3 has an average sedimentation rate of 2.9 mm year⁻¹ and the base of the core can be dated to 1864 ± 20 years. Contemporary diatom taxa found in the lake are dominated by Tabellaria flocculosa and Synedra spp., but also include Achnanthes minutissima and Fragilaria pinnata. However, the diatom flora for Buju3 is less diverse and dominated by small, tychoplanktonic species of Fragilaria. Over the period associated with glacial recession, organic carbon isotope analysis (δ¹³C) suggests a small but distinct increase in within-lake productivity, which increases in rate since the mid 1970s up to the present day, in line with a shift towards increased algal productivity (as highlighted by C/N ratios). However, the diatom and pollen records appear rather insensitive to changes in glacier recession since the late 19th century.     

A 100-year record of changes in organic matter characteristics and productivity in Lake Bhimtal in the Kumaon Himalaya, NW India

Sediment variables total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), total sulfur (TS), as well as their accumulation rates and atomic ratios (C/N and C/S), were studied along with stable isotopes (δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, and δ³⁴S), and specific biomarkers (n-alkanes and pigments) in a 35-cm-long sediment core from Lake Bhimtal, NW India. The average sedimentation rate is 3.6 mm year^?1, and the core represents a provisional record of ~100 years of sedimentation history. Bulk elemental records and their ratios indicate that sediment organic matter (OM) is derived primarily from algae. In-lake productivity increased sharply over the last two decades, consistent with paleoproductivity reconstructions from other lakes in the area. An up-core decrease in δ¹³C values, despite other evidence for an increase in lake productivity, implies that multiple biogeochemical processes (e.g. external input of sewage or uptake of isotopically depleted CO₂ as a result of fossil fuel burning) influence the C isotope record in the lake. The δ¹⁵N values (?0.2 to ?3.9 ‰) reflect the presence of N-fixing cyanobacteria, and an increase in lake productivity. The δ³⁴S profile shows enrichment of up to 5.6 ‰, and suggests that sulfate reduction occurred in these anoxic sediments. Increases in total n-alkane concentrations and their specific ratios, such as the Carbon Preference Index (CPI) and Terrestrial Aquatic Ratio (TAR), imply in-lake algal production. Likewise, pigments indicate an up-core increase in total concentration and dominance of cyanobacteria over other phytoplankton. Geochemical trends indicate a recent increase in the lake’s trophic state as a result of human-induced changes in the catchment. The study highlights the vulnerability of mountain lakes in the Himalayan region to both natural and anthropogenic processes, and the difficulties associated with reversing trophic state and ecological changes.     

Stable isotope (δ<Superscript>13</Superscript>C and δ<Superscript>15</Superscript>N) values of sediment organic matter in subtropical lakes of different trophic status

Lake sediments contain archives of past environmental conditions in and around water bodies and stable isotope analyses (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) of sediment cores have been used to infer past environmental changes in aquatic ecosystems. In this study, we analyzed organic matter (OM), carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values in sediment cores from three subtropical lakes that span a broad range of trophic state. Our principal objectives were to: (1) evaluate whether nutrient concentrations and stable isotope values in surface deposits reflect modern trophic state conditions in the lakes, and (2) assess whether stratigraphic changes in the measured variables yield information about shifts in trophic status through time, or alternatively, diagenetic changes in sediment OM. Three Florida (USA) lakes of very different trophic status were selected for this study. Results showed that both δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values in surface sediments of the oligo-mesotrophic lake were relatively low compared to values in surface sediments of the other lakes, and were progressively lower with depth in the sediment core. Sediments of the eutrophic lake had δ¹³C values that declined upcore, whereas δ¹⁵N values increased toward the sediment surface. The eutrophic lake displayed δ¹³C values intermediate between those in the oligo-mesotrophic and hypereutrophic lakes. Sediments of the hypereutrophic lake had relatively higher δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values. In general, we found greater δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values with increasing lake trophic state.     

Fossil chironomid δ<Superscript>13</Superscript>C as a proxy for past methanogenic contribution to benthic food webs in lakes?

We used a series of experiments to determine whether stable carbon isotope analysis of modern and fossil larval head capsules of chironomids allowed identification of their dietary carbon source. Our main focus was to assess whether carbon from naturally ¹³C-depleted methane-oxidizing bacteria (MOB) can be traced in chironomid cuticles using stable carbon isotope analysis. We first showed that a minimum sample weight of ~20 μg was required for our equipment to determine head capsule δ¹³C with a standard deviation of 0.5‰. Such a small minimum sample weight allows taxon-specific δ¹³C analyses at a precision sufficient to differentiate whether head capsules consist mainly of carbon derived from MOB or from other food sources commonly encountered in lake ecosystems. We then tested the effect of different chemical pre-treatments that are commonly used for sediment processing on δ¹³C measurements on head capsules. Processing with 10% KOH (2 h), 10% HCl (2 h), or 40% HF (18 h) showed no detectable effect on δ¹³C, whereas a combination of boiling, accelerated solvent extraction and heavy chemical oxidation resulted in a small (0.2‰) but statistically significant decrease in δ¹³C values. Using culturing experiments with MOB grown on ¹³C-labelled methane, we demonstrated that methanogenic carbon is transferred not only into the larval tissue, but also into chironomid head capsules. Taxon-specific δ¹³C of fossil chironomid head capsules from different lake sediments was analyzed. δ¹³C of head capsules generally ranged from −28 to −25.8‰, but in some instances we observed δ¹³C values as low as −36.9 to −31.5‰, suggesting that carbon from MOB is traceable in fossil and subfossil chironomid remains. We demonstrate that stable carbon isotope analyses of fossil chironomid head capsules can give insights into dietary links and carbon cycling in benthic food webs in the past and that the method has the potential to reconstruct the importance of MOB in the palaeo-diet of chironomid larvae and, indirectly, to infer past changes in methane flux at the sediment water interface in lakes.     

Sediment lithology and stable isotope composition of organic matter in a core from a cirque in the Krkonoše Mountains,Czech Republic

This study presents detailed lithostratigraphy and stable carbon and nitrogen isotopic variations in a 520-cm-long sediment core from a cirque basin in the Labsky důl Valley, Krkonoše Mountains, Czech Republic. Detailed study of the core reveals five major periods of sedimentation during the last 7600 years: silt and sand deposition during ~7.6–5.1 ka cal BP, Sphagnum peat accumulation during ~5.1–4.0 ka cal BP, sandy silt and sand during ~4.0–2.8 ka cal BP, raised peat bog during ~2.8–2.0 ka cal BP (Sphagnum peat), and sedimentation of sandy silt since ~2.0 ka cal BP. The δ¹³C values of the organic matter in the core vary in the range typical for C3 plants, from −24.35 to −27.68‰, whereas the δ¹⁵N values vary from −2.65 to +4.35‰. Core sections having ash contents ≥70% have δ¹⁵N > 1‰ and δ¹³C < −26‰, whereas those having ≤70% ash content have δ¹⁵N < 1‰ and δ¹³C > −26‰. Strong linear correlations are observed between δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values as well as between C:N ratios and δ¹⁵N values in the horizons with ash content >10%, primarily for sand and silt horizons. On the other hand, poor correlations between δ¹³C and C:N ratio, as well as δ¹⁵N and C:N ratio, were observed in Sphagnum peat layers (45–125 and 185–265 cm). We conclude that the primary stable isotope variations are not preserved in the layers where significant correlation between δ¹⁵N and C:N ratio is observed. The relatively small δ¹³C variation in the uppermost Sphagnum peat layer suggests stable temperature during ~2.8–2.0 ka cal BP.     

Assessment of nutrient sources and paleoproductivity during the past century in Longgan Lake,middle reaches of the Yangtze River,China

Total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) were determined in combination with stable isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen (δ¹³C_Org, δ¹⁵N) in a 63 cm sediment core from Longgan Lake, located in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, China. These geochemical and isotopic records provide a continuous history of lake productivity and trophic state of Longgan Lake since 1890. Variations of δ¹³C_Org, TOC, TN and TP indicate that primary productivity of Longgan Lake increased continuously during the last century and that the trophic state of the lake shifted from oligotrophic to mestrotrophic conditions accordingly. Anthropogenic sources of organic carbon (OC), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) were distinguished from their natural background in the sediments using mass accumulation rates. Element mass accumulation rates suggested increased human activities in the lake’s catchment since 1950s, were especially the utilization of artificial fertilizers amplified the anthropogenic input of N and P into the lake. In the course of the improved availability of dissolved nutrients also primary productivity of Longgan Lake increased, resulting in an increase of the Suess-effect corrected organic carbon isotope ratios. δ¹⁵N of bulk sediments show a marked shift towards lower values around 1950 that has been attributed to the input of nitrogen from chemical fertilizers characterized by relatively depleted isotopic signatures into the lake.     

Late glacial environment and climate development in northeastern China derived from geochemical and isotopic investigations of the varved sediment record from Lake Sihailongwan (Jilin Province)

Total organic carbon (TOC) content, total nitrogen (TN) content, stable nitrogen isotope (δ¹⁵N) and stable organic carbon isotope (δ¹³C_org) ratios were continuously analysed on a high resolution sediment profile from Lake Sihailongwan (SHL), covering the time span between 16,500 and 9,500 years BP. Strong variations of the investigated proxy parameters are attributed to great climatic fluctuations during the investigated time period. Variations in organic carbon isotope ratios and the ratio of TOC/TN (C/N ratio) are discussed with respect to changing proportions of different organic matter (OM) sources to bulk sedimentary OM. Phases of high TOC content, high TN content, depleted δ¹³C_org values and high δ¹⁵N values are interpreted as times with increased productivity of lacustrine algae in relation to input of terrigenous organic matter. Two distinct phases of enriched nitrogen isotope ratios from 14,200 to 13,700 and 11,550 to 11,050 years BP point towards a reduced phytoplankton discrimination against ¹⁵N due to a diminished dissolved inorganic nitrogen pool. The combination of geochemical (TOC, TN, C/N ratio) and isotopic (δ¹³C_org, δ¹⁵N) proxy parameters points to a division of climate development into four stages. A cold and dry stage before 14,200 years BP, a warm optimum stage with high phytoplankton productivity from 14,200 to 12,450 BP, a colder and drier stage from 12,450 to 11,600 BP and a stage of climatic amelioration with high variability in TOC and TN contents after 11,600 BP. These results are discussed in relation to monsoon variability and Northern Hemisphere climate development of the late glacial.     

Sedimentary geochemical record of recent environmental changes around Lake Middle Marviken,Sweden

Geochemical properties of sediments deposited in Lake Middle Marviken over the last 185 years record the impacts of a succession of environmental changes that have occurred in the watershed. Clear-cutting of forests for wood and charcoal and extensive water harnessing to support the local iron mills from 1897 to 1957 is recorded by low C/N ratios, high black carbon, and low TOC and N_total accumulation rates. Larger δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values in sediments deposited during this period imply higher productivity. Fluctuations in N_total and P_total accumulation rates show that the lake chemistry has varied between P or N-depleted systems that affected the δ¹⁵N values. Organic matter in the sediments is predominantly immature terrestrial material. Furthermore, hydrocarbon CPI, TAR, and P_aq values conform with the observed geochemical trends, variations in organic matter sources, and changes in the watershed. Accumulation rates of Cd, Pb, Zn, and S remained mostly unchanged throughout the period of mining, but an increase from 1957 to 1980 is most likely associated with air-borne industrial and fossil fuel emissions from regional urbanization. In situ microbial processes, such as iron and manganese reduction, also appear to be important in carbon cycling and in affecting the sediment and water chemistry of this lake.     

Biomarker and compound-specific δ<Superscript>13</Superscript>C evidence for changing environmental conditions and carbon limitation at Lake Koucha,eastern Tibetan Plateau

A sediment core from Lake Koucha (eastern Tibetan Plateau) was investigated using organic biomarkers and their stable carbon isotope signatures. The correlation between TOC content, total amount of aquatic macrophyte-derived n-alkanes (e.g. nC₂₃) and δ¹³C values of TOC and nC₂₃ indicates that Lake Koucha was macrophyte-dominated before 8 cal ka BP. Shortly after the lake turned from a saline to a freshwater system at 7.2 cal ka BP, a variety of algal and bacterial markers such as hopanoids and isoprenoids emerged, of which phytane, pentamethylicosene (PMI), moretene and diploptene are particularly abundant. Phytane and PMI show different isotopic signals (≈−18 and ≈−28‰, respectively), which indicates that they originated from different sources. Phytane may have been derived from cyanobacteria, while methanogenic archaea may be the source of PMI. The isotopic depletion of diploptene and moretene (≈−60‰) indicates the presence of methanotrophs. After 6.1 cal ka BP, the saturated C₂₀ highly branched isoprenoid (HBI) became the dominant constituent of the aliphatic hydrocarbon fraction. Such dominance has rarely been reported in lacustrine environments, and indicates a strong presence of algae (most likely diatoms) or cyanobacteria. At 4.7 cal ka BP, the appearance of an unsaturated C₂₅ HBI, which is a specific biomarker for diatoms, was noted. Furthermore, the level of nC₁₇-alkane was observed to increase in abundance in the uppermost two samples. These results suggest that the lake was phytoplankton-dominated during the last 6.1 ka. Relatively low biomarker concentrations and δ¹³C values at 6.0, 3.1 and 1.8 cal ka BP indicate the occurrence of cool periods, which is in agreement with inferences from other locations on the Tibetan Plateau. The δ¹³C values of nC₂₃ range from −23.5 to −12.6‰, with high values at the peak of macrophyte abundance at ca. 11 cal ka BP and at the phytoplankton maximum between ca 6.1 and 2.8 cal ka BP. Thus, aquatic macrophyte-derived mid-chain n-alkanes have been found to be excellent indicators of carbon-limiting conditions, which lead to the assimilation of isotopically-enriched carbon species. The limitation of carbon sources could be a localized phenomenon occurring in dense plant stands (as in the older section of the core), or it may be induced by high primary productivity (as in the younger section). Since the δ¹³C value of the inorganic carbon source may vary, the offset between the δ¹³C values of nC₂₃ and TIC could serve as a more precise proxy for carbon-limiting conditions in lacustrine environments, which could in turn be interpreted with respect to lacustrine paleo-productivity.     

Organic geochemical record of environmental changes in Lake Dianchi,China

In order to investigate the natural ecosystem of Lake Dianchi and to assess its anthropogenic impacts, a stratigraphic study of bulk and molecular compositions of organic matter was conducted using a 63-cm long sediment core. The results show that two apparent environmental changes occurred during the evolution of Lake Dianchi: (1) the first change occurred in the 43–63 cm sediment depth, and was revealed by the amount and the composition of organic matter in the stage. Natural changes were possibly major factors responsible for triggering the environmental change, but the influence of human activities could not be excluded. Subsequently, the lake entered into a relatively stable and oligotrophic stage, which maintained until 20-cm sediment depth. (2) Eutrophication started in the upper 20 cm depth. Human activities became a major factor influencing environmental changes in this stage. Vertical profiles of various organic geochemical variables in the upper 20-cm sediments show evidence that primary productivity of the lake increased progressively and that the lake started eutrophic. Especially in the uppermost 10 cm, notable excursions to less negative δ¹³C_org and δ¹⁵N_total and high TOC concentrations have recorded an abrupt change in the lacustrine environment, suggesting that the lake entered a hypereutrophic stage. In addition, enhancement of αβ-hopanes reflects the contribution of fossil fuels to the lake sediments.     

Taphonomic and early diagenetic effects on the C and N stable isotope composition of cladoceran remains: implications for paleoecological studies

I addressed the effects of taphonomic and early diagenetic processes on the isotope composition of cladoceran remains, using both experimental and field approaches. An experiment was designed to mimic the conditions encountered by cladoceran remains when they settle through the water column and are buried in the sediment. Cladoceran exoskeletons were incubated for 4 months in oxic or anoxic water, and in sediment. Changes in their carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) content and isotope compositions were measured. Most changes in isotope composition of exoskeletons took place when they settled through the water column. Once buried in the sediment, however, the δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values of cladoceran exoskeletons did not undergo further change. Taphonomic processes resulted in an increase in δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N of the cladoceran remains and this was related to microbial degradation, which selectively removed isotopically light C and N compounds from the remains. For δ¹³C, changes were minimal (<1‰) and occured within the first 3 months. Taphonomic effects on δ¹⁵N were larger, from +2 to +5‰, and occurred within the first 2–3 weeks. These effects depended on incubation conditions and were greater in anoxic waters than under oxic conditions. Monthly changes in the isotope composition of sedimenting cladoceran exoskeletons were also recorded in the field using sediment traps, and were compared to the isotope composition of the living cladoceran community. The isotope composition of sedimenting remains displayed values consistent with those that might be expected, considering the effects of taphonomic processes observed in the experiment. Because C and N in cladoceran exoskeletons might involve a different isotope routing, the δ¹⁵N value of the remains provides an annual record of the value in the parent community, with a 1-month delay, while δ¹³C of remains essentially reflects that of the parent community during the period of lake thermal stratification. These findings provide insights into paleolimnological interpretation of isotopic changes in cladoceran remains from sediment cores.     

Potential of δ<Superscript>13</Superscript>C and δ<Superscript>15</Superscript>N of cladoceran subfossil exoskeletons for paleo-ecological studies

Stable isotope analyses on cladoceran subfossil exoskeletons retrieved from sediment cores could allow the reconstruction of past changes in lake food webs provided the δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values of the exoskeletons reflect those of the organisms’ whole body. The relationships between the C and N stable isotope compositions of the exoskeletons and those of the whole body were investigated for two freshwater cladoceran taxa (Bosmina sp. and Daphnia sp.) from modern samples. The C and N stable isotope compositions of the exoskeleton and those of the whole body were strongly correlated. Exoskeleton δ¹³C was similar to the whole body δ¹³C for both taxa. Daphnia exoskeletons were strongly depleted in ¹⁵N (−7.9‰) compared to the whole body. Stable isotope analyses were thereafter performed on cladoceran remains from five downcore samples from Lake Annecy, France. Results showed that Bosmina δ¹⁵N values increased by more than 4‰, between the early twentieth and twenty first centuries. Such changes might be the result of changes in nitrogen sources or cycling in the lake and/or of major shifts in Bosmina trophic position within the lake food web. This study sets up the potential of stable isotope analyses performed on cladoceran subfossil remains for paleo-ecological purposes.     

Environmental variability in Lake Naivasha,Kenya, over the last two centuries

Lake Naivasha, Kenya, is one of a number of freshwater lakes in the East African Rift System. Since the beginning of the twentieth century, it has experienced greater anthropogenic influence as a result of increasingly intensive farming of coffee, tea, flowers, and other horticultural crops within its catchment. The water-level history of Lake Naivasha over the past 200 years was derived from a combination of instrumental records and sediment data. In this study, we analysed diatoms in a lake sediment core to infer past lacustrine conductivity and total phosphorus concentrations. We also measured total nitrogen and carbon concentrations in the sediments. Core chronology was established by ²¹⁰Pb dating and covered a ~186-year history of natural (climatic) and human-induced environmental changes. Three stratigraphic zones in the core were identified using diatom assemblages. There was a change from littoral/epiphytic diatoms such as Gomphonema gracile and Cymbella muelleri, which occurred during a prolonged dry period from ca. 1820 to 1896 AD, through a transition period, to the present planktonic Aulacoseira sp. that favors nutrient-rich waters. This marked change in the diatom assemblage was caused by climate change, and later a strong anthropogenic overprint on the lake system. Increases in sediment accumulation rates since 1928, from 0.01 to 0.08 g cm⁻² year⁻¹ correlate with an increase in diatom-inferred total phosphorus concentrations since the beginning of the twentieth century. The increase in phosphorus accumulation suggests increasing eutrophication of freshwater Lake Naivasha. This study identified two major periods in the lake’s history: (1) the period from 1820 to 1950 AD, during which the lake was affected mainly by natural climate variations, and (2) the period since 1950, during which the effects of anthropogenic activity overprinted those of natural climate variation.     

Evaluating sedimentary geochemical lake-level tracers in Walker Lake, Nevada, over the last 200 years

Walker Lake, a hydrologically closed, saline, alkaline lake located along the western margin of the Great Basin of western United States, has experienced a 77% reduction in volume and commitment drop in lake level as a result of anthropogenic perturbations and climatic fluctuations over the last century. The history of lake-level change in Walker Lake has been recorded instrumentally since 1860. A high-resolution multi-proxy sediment core record from Walker Lake has been generated through analysis of total inorganic carbon (TIC), total organic carbon (TOC), and oxygen and carbon isotope ratios (δ¹⁸O and δ¹³ C) of both downcore bulk TIC and ostracods over the last 200 yr. This allows us to examine how these sediment indices respond to actual changes in this lake’s hydrologic balance at interannual to decadal timescales. In Walker Lake sediments, changes in %TIC, %TOC, and δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O of TIC and ostracods are all associated to varying degrees with changes in the lake’s hydrologic balance, with δ¹⁸O of the TIC fraction (δ¹⁸O_TIC) being the most highly correlated and the most effective hydrologic indicator in this closed-basin lake. The δ¹⁸O_TIC record from Walker Lake nearly parallels the instrumental lake-level record back to 1860. However, comparison with sporadic lake-water δ¹⁸O and dissolved inorganic carbon δ¹³C (δ¹³C_DIC) results spanning the last several decades suggests that the isotopic values of downcore carbonate sediments may not be readily translated into absolute or even relative values of corresponding lake-water δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C_DIC. Changes in the lake’s hydrologic balance usually lead to changes in isotopic composition of lake waters and downcore sediments, but not all the variations in downcore isotopic composition are necessarily caused by hydrologic changes.     

Paleoecological evidence of major declines in total organic carbon concentrations since the nineteenth century in four nemoboreal lakes

A decade of widespread increases in surface water concentrations of total organic carbon (TOC) in some regions has raised questions about longer term patterns in this important constituent of water chemistry. This study uses near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to infer lake water TOC far beyond the decade or two of observational data generally available. An expanded calibration dataset of 140 lakes across Sweden covering a TOC gradient from 0.7 to 24.7 mg L⁻¹ was used to establish a relationship between the NIRS signal from surface sediments (0–0.5 cm) and the TOC concentration of the water mass. Internal cross-validation of the model resulted in an R ² of 0.72 with a root mean squared error of calibration (RMSECV) of 2.6 mg L⁻¹. The TOC concentrations reconstructed from surface sediments in four Swedish lakes were typically within the range of concentrations observed in the monitoring data during the period represented by each sediment layer. TOC reconstructions from the full sediment cores of four lakes indicated that TOC concentrations were approximately twice as high a century ago.