Abstract
Biogeochemical studies were undertaken of a 65-cm long sediment core from Lake Cantara South, South Australia. 14C determinations indicated that the sediments had been deposited over 2000 years. Changes with sediment depth in the concentration or ratio of the following were determined: (i) total organic carbon, total carbonate (inorganic) carbon, total sulfur, total carbon, total inorganic and organic sulfur, atomic C/N, and sulfate/chloride; (ii) n-alkanes; (iii) a highly branched isoprenoid alkane, and (iv) steroids. Interpretation of the changes with sediment depth indicated the nature of changes that took place when the system changed from a protected marine lagoon to an isolated (athalassic) saline lake. This change took place about 1000 years ago.
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Wang, R.L., Williams, W.D. Biogeochemical changes in the sediments of Lake Cantara South, a saline lake in South Australia. Hydrobiologia 457, 17–24 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1012225311553
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1012225311553