Temporal salinity variation in salt evaporation basins in south-eastern Australia

Salt evaporation basins in south-eastern Australia, in contrast with natural saline lakes in this region, were not highly saline and exhibited little seasonal pattern in water depth and salinity over a 2-year sampling period. Lack of seasonality arose from either constant inflow (from continuous groundwater pumping) or erratic inflow (from unpredictable irrigation demands). Differences in zooplankton species composition between the salt evaporation basins and natural saline lakes might reflect the differences in temporal salinity patterns. Some typical saline lake zooplankton were not found in the evaporation basins. Salt evaporation basins therefore may represent additions to the inland water habitats of semi-arid Australia.