Comparative interstitial water and sediment chemistry in oligotrophic and mesotrophic lakes, Maine, U.S.A.

Summary

Undisturbed 1 m cores of profundal sediment and overlying water were collected from 4 morphometrically paired lakes, with differing degrees and kinds of cultural development, lumbering, and alkalinity. Vertical variations in sediment chemistry (K₂0, MgO, P, and S) correlate with the presence of European man (indicated by pollen) although the behavior of any one element is not similar for the 4 lakes studied.

Interstitial water chemistry profiles (diffusion controlled) indicate movement of K, Na, and SiO₂ to or through the sediment-water interface. A pronounced “reactive” layer with higher concentrations of dissolved species is present at a depth of 1 to 5 cm and may act as a reservoir to supply nutrients to the overlying water. For all four lakes SiO₂ values increase steadily downward attaining constant values ranging from 20 to 45 ppm.