Salinity intrusion into Lake Songkla, a lagoonal lake of Southern Thailand

Summary

The salinity pattern of Lake Songkla, a lagoonal lake of Southern Thailand, has been observed at four stations along the length of the lake. The salinity fluctuation was from 0 ppt to 32 ppt due to the rainfall and tidal influence. Post 1967 the salinity in the southern basin has increased from maximum of 20 ppt to 32 ppt. The evidence showed that the channel dredging at the lake outlet was a major cause of the change. The effects of the salinity change on the aquatic organisms in this lake is unknown. The studies on salinity effects to aquatic organisms elsewhere was reviewed in brief.