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The physical-chemical limnology of a desert reservoir

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Abstract

The physical-chemical limnology of a desert lake in central Arizona was investigated from February 1971–July 1973. The reservoir was found to be a warm-monomictic, eutrophic lake which exhibited pronounced thermal stratification during the summer months. Surface water temperatures ranged from a minimum of ca. 9 C in January to a maximum near 30 C in July–August. Chemically the lake may be described as a hard water lake of moderately high alkalinity and salinity. The concentration of the principal ions was affected significantly by precipitation run-off. The primary nutrients N and P were subject to considerable seasonal variability, being influenced most by precipitation and phytoplankton abundance. Trace element concentrations were low and showed comparatively little fluctuation during the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Argonne National Laboratory, 60439, Argonne, Illinois

    Richard D. Olsen

  2. Arizona State University, 85281, Tempe, Arizona

    Milton R. Sommerfeld

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  1. Richard D. Olsen
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  2. Milton R. Sommerfeld
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Olsen, R.D., Sommerfeld, M.R. The physical-chemical limnology of a desert reservoir. Hydrobiologia 53, 117–129 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00029290

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00029290

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