Mapping of moraine dammed glacial lakes and assessment of their areal changes in the central and eastern Himalayas using satellite data

The relatively rapid recession of glaciers in the Himalayas and formation of moraine dammed glacial lakes(MDGLs) in the recent past have increased the risk of glacier lake outburst floods(GLOF) in the countries of Nepal and Bhutan and in the mountainous territory of Sikkim in India. As a product of climate change and global warming, such a risk has not only raised the level of threats to the habitation and infrastructure of the region, but has also contributed to the worsening of the balance of the unique ecosystem that exists in this domain that sustains several of the highest mountain peaks of the world. This study attempts to present an up to date mapping of the MDGLs in the central and eastern Himalayan regions using remote sensing data, with an objective to analyse their surface area variations with time from 1990 through 2015, disaggregated over six episodes. The study also includes the evaluation for susceptibility of MDGLs to GLOF with the least criteria decision analysis(LCDA). Forty two major MDGLs, each having a lake surface area greater than 0.2 km2, that were identified in the Himalayan ranges of Nepal, Bhutan, and Sikkim, have been categorized according to their surface area expansion rates in space and time. The lakes have been identified as located within the elevation range of 3800 m and6800 m above mean sea level(a msl). With a total surface area of 37.9 km2, these MDGLs as a whole were observed to have expanded by an astonishing 43.6% in area over the 25 year period of this study. A factor is introduced to numerically sort the lakes in terms of their relative yearly expansion rates, based on their interpretation of their surface area extents from satellite imageries. Verification of predicted GLOF events in the past using this factor with the limited field data as reported in literature indicates that the present analysis may be considered a sufficiently reliable and rapid technique for assessing the potential bursting susceptibility of the MDGLs. The analysis also indicates that, as of now, there are eight MDGLs in the region which appear to be in highly vulnerable states and have high chances in causing potential GLOF events anytime in the recent future.

Lake inventory and potentially dangerous glacial lakes in the Nyang Qu Basin of China between 1970 and 2016

There are a large number of glaciers and lakes developed in the Nyang Qu Basin of China. Recent climate change has significant impacted on the high-mountain glacial environment. Rapid melting of glaciers contributes to the formation and expansion of moraine-dammed lakes which increase the probability of glacial lake outburst floods(GLOFs). We calculated a multi-temporal lake inventory based on(1) topographic maps in the 1970 s,(2) satellite imageries from 1990 to 2016,(3) First Chinese Glacier Inventory(FCGI),(4) Glacier Inventory of Southeastern Tibet(GIST) and(5) meteorological data. A total of 880 lakes(>0.01 km^2) have been mapped in 2016, with 318 being glacial lakes(GLs) and 462 non-glacier lakes(NGLs). Most of the lakes were mainly located at 4500 m a.s.l. and the lakes dominated by small lakes(<0.1 km^2) where the change of their actual sizes are more significant compared to the larger ones. Meanwhile, we found that there were 178 newly formed GLs and 51 of them had disappeared between 1970 and 2016. During the same period, there can be identified 157 newly formed GLs and 226 had disappeared. We additionally performed a hazard and risk assessment for GL in 2016 and exposed 14 potentially dangerous morainedammed lakes(PDMDLs), covering a total area of 5.88 km2 in the Nyang Qu Basin. There can be found 4 GLs with very high risk, 3 GLs with high risk, 4 GLs with medium risk and 4 GLs with low risk of GLOFs susceptibility. The findings of this study can be used for the future policy of risk management and also be adapted for promoting water resources management.

Genetic Variability and Reproduction Structure of <i>Corbicula japonica</i>in Major Fishing Brackish Lakes in Japan

Corbicula japonica is the best-known bivalve inhabiting widely in brackish estuaries and lakes in Japan. Although this species has been most commercially important species of inland fisheries in Japan, the gradual decline in its production over 40 years caused not only economic problems in fishery industry but also ecological disturbances in biodiversity conservation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproduction structure of C. japonica populations in major fishing brackish lakes based on the genetic diversity inferred by mitochondrial DNA sequence analysis of the cytochrome oxidase c subunit I gene. Of a total of 188 C. japonica individuals collected in Lakes Shinji, Jusan, Ogawara and Abashiri, 25 haplotypes were obtained, and only the haplotype HT01 was apparent with relatively high abundance in all lakes. Minimum spanning network analysis of haplotypes showed different population structures between Lake Shinji and Lakes Jusan, Ogawara and Abashiri. In addition, pairwise population genetic distance FST and ΦST values were significantly higher in Lake Shinji than Lakes Jusan, Ogawara and Abashiri. The mismatch distribution analysis showed unimodal profile for Lakes Jusan and Ogawara and bimodal profile for Lakes Shinji and Abashiri. Those results indicate a recent population expansion in all lakes, and Lakes Shinji and Abashiri and Lakes Jusan and Ogawara maintained continuous reproduction structure and suffered to rapid population growth, respectively.

Man-made plutonium radioisotopes in the salt lakes of the Crimean peninsula

Investigations of ^(239+240)Pu and ^(238)Pu in the surface layer(0–5 cm) of bottom sediment in the Crimean 10 salt lakes from 4 geographical groups were carried out for the first time. The ^(239+240)Pu varied widely between regional geographical groups of lakes as well as within groups too and ranged from 11±4 to 451±43 mBq^(239+240)Pu/kg. The highest levels of ^(239+240)Pu—419±27, 443±24 and 451±43 mBq/kg were observed in the Yevpatoriya(Lake Kyzyl-Yar), the Tarkhankut(Dzharylhach) and the Kerch group(Tobechik), respectively. The lowest values of ^(239+240)Pu were identified in three lakes of the Perekop group and were 20±12, 24±6 and 48±6 mBq/kg. In all lakes ^(238)Pu was an order of magnitude lower than 239+240 Pu and varied from 4.8±2.6 to 30.7±5.5 mBq/kg. The ^(238)Pu activity was decay-corrected to 1986. The characteristic ratio of the ^(238)Pu/239+240 Pu activities in the sediment and percentage of the Chernobyl-derived Pu was calculated. The largest percentages of the Chernobyl-derived Pu were observed in the Evpatoriya group(Lake SasykSivash)—16.2%±8.26%, the Tarkhankut group(Dzharylhach)—8.4%±2.10% and the Kerch group(Aktash)—10.5%±5.56%. The study of the depth distribution of plutonium in the Lake Kyzyl-Yar bottom sediment core(0–25 cm) was fulfilled. It was shown that 239+240 Pu was high enough in all studied layers of bottom sediment, but the highest activity ratio ^(238)Pu/239+240 Pu(0.062±0.020) was found in the deepest layer of 15–20.5 cm and the percentage of Chernobyl-derived Pu was estimated at 6.8%±2.85% in this layer.

Assessment of Changes in Ice Regime Characteristics of Russian Lakes and Rivers under Current Climate Conditions

This article deals with assessment of changes in ice cover duration and maximum ice cover thickness for the last three decades compared with the previous period by the example of observation data for 28 hydrometric stations on rivers and 10 hydrological stations on lakes. Estimations of homogeneity and trends of long term serious of above mentioned rivers and lakes ice regime characteristics for three time periods were carried out using Student and Fisher criteria. Assessment of changes in ice regime characteristics for the period 1980-2010 compared with the period of stationary climate (from the beginning of observations until 1979) using two methodological approaches was made. The results can be used for solving problems of economy branches adaptation in case of rivers and lakes used in winter conditions.

The Great Lapse: Climate Change, Water Resources and Economic Risks in the Great Lakes

The striking vastness of the world’s largest surface freshwater resource, the Laurentian Great Lakes, has generated the fallacy that they are not highly vulnerable to climate change. This fallacy has created a great lapse in our research and understanding of the effects of climate change on the Great Lakes, which are approaching critical environmental thresholds and jeopardizing ecosystem services. This article takes the novel approach of correcting the disconnect between the perception of vastness and the reality of vulnerability to climate change in the Great Lakes, and takes an additional novel step to link the water risks with the economic risks. The primary purpose is to demonstrate the interdependence of the freshwater ecosystem services affected by climate change with the economies that are highly dependent on those freshwater services in the Great Lakes region. Although many believe that environmental science or ethical arguments should be sufficient to warrant action on climate change, evidence shows that policy-makers are not compelled to generate advances unless there are strong economic components. This article highlights the leading edge of climate science for the Great Lakes, having conducted 32 in depth interviews with experts in microbiology, ecology, and limnology, among others, but it also adds substantively to previous work by providing economic evidence of water risks in the agricultural sector and energy sector, which constitute over $6 trillion in value and jobs that are specifically dependent on lakes waters. The article concludes by articulating three specific conclusions: the economic viability of the agricultural sector and the energy sector are jeopardized by loss of federal funding for climate change adaptation in the water sector;the existing policies such as between sectors such as the Farm Bill and Energy Future Bill are mal-aligned and should be aligned with the water sector;and negative environmental externalities including factors that exacerbate climate change should be incorporated into the true cost of water so we can more accurately conduct ecosystem valuation and, thus, address the true economic and environmental cost of climate change on the Great Lakes and our greatest water resources. This paper has not previously been published.

Changes in Ice Cover Duration and Maximum Ice Thickness for Rivers and Lakes in the Asian Part of Russia

This article is concerned with assessment of changes in two critical characteristics of lake and river ice regime, namely ice cover duration and maximum ice thickness, in the period from the beginning of the 80s to the present, which is characterized by higher temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere compared with the previous period. The above ice regime characteristics are often limiting factors in winter operation of lakes and rivers (navigation, hydraulic construction works in cold period, construction of ice roads etc.). Assessment of changes in ice characteristics of lakes and rivers has been made for 52 river and five lake gauging sites of the Asian part of Russia (APR) using long-term observation data from the Russian observing network. Long-term series of the above characteristics were divided into two periods: from 1955 to 1979 (the period of stationary climate) and from 1980 to 2014 (non-stationary climate) and assessed from the point of view of their homogeneity and trend significance by Student’s t-test. The research has found that at most of the sites in the APR, both ice cover duration and maximum ice thickness decreased during non-stationary climate period compared with the previous one. The greatest quantitative changes have occurred in the Eastern Siberia (average net decrease in ice cover duration amounted to 7 days.decade-1 and in maximum ice thickness-20 cm.decade-1) and in the Amur River basin (7 days.decade-1 and 17 cm.decade-1 respectively).

Evaluation on Current Situation of the Water Ecology of the Main Rivers and Lakes in the Liaohe River Basin

In this paper,15 rivers and 10 lake reservoirs in the Liaohe River basin were taken as research objects. Based on six indexes: satisfaction situation of ecological water demand,standard-reaching rate of water quality in water function area,eutrophication index of lakes and reservoirs,longitudinal connectivity of rivers,reserve rate of important wetlands and status of important aquatic habitat,water ecological conditions of main rivers and lakes in the basin were evaluated. The results showed that the rivers with better ecology were mainly distributed in east mountainous area of Liaoning,such as the upper reaches of the Hunhe River and the Taizi River;the problems of water pollution,ecological water shortage and habitat shrinkage were widespread in the Liaohe River basin,and the situation of water ecological security in the Liaohe River basin still faced great pressure.

Hydrochemistry of the lakes in the southern Badain Jaran Desert and its paleosalinity reconstruction

The reconstruction of paleohydrology,especially paleosalinity,is an important component of paleoenvironmental research.Researches on the modern characteristics of lake water chemistry and the relationship between lake salinity and hydrochemistry are the basis of paleoenvironment reconstruction.The modern hydrochemical characteristics and the relationship between ion composition and salinity of modern lakes are the basis of paleosalinity reconstruction.In this study,hydrochemical analysis of 21 lakes in the Badain Jaran Desert(BJD)was carried out.The relationships between the Sr/Ca and Mg/Ca ratios and total dissolved solids(TDS)were analyzed.The results show that Na^(+),K^(+),Cl-and SO_(4)^(2-)have high positive correlations with TDS,and Mg^(2+),Sr^(2+),CO_(3)_(2-)and HCO_(3)^(-)have lower correlations with TDS.The Sr/Ca and Mg/Ca ratios do not increase linearly with TDS.Hydrochemical analysis indicates that the studied lakes are in the carbonate precipitation stage and that evaporation is the main factor controlling lake evolution in the BJD.The relationships between the Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca ratios and TDS are mainly influenced by lake evolution stage and the hydrochemical types of the lakes.On the basis of comprehensive previous studies,the factors affecting lake evolution,the Mg and Sr partition coefficients and other hydrochemical parameters that change with lake evolution all affect the relationship between chemical composition and salinity.To reconstruct paleosalinity more accurately,more detailed research on the modern hydrochemical characteristics of lakes and the relationship between the element ratios of carbonates and water salinity should be carried out.

Microscopic analysis on eukaryotic algae and cyanobacteria in nine seasonal lakes and ponds in Vestfjella,Dronning Maud Land,Antarctica

Antarctic continental lakes and ponds are among the most impoverished aquatic environments on earth but many of them support flourishing populations of cyanobacteria,eukaryotic algae,protozoans,and some multicellular animals.In this study,we present results of a microscopic analysis of cyanobacteria and eukaryotic algae from nine diverse types of Antarctic continental water bodies during one austral summer.The results supplement and enlarge our previous studies on the limnological characteristics of the epiglacial and supraglacial lakes and ponds in Dronning Maud Land,an area that has received little attention from limnologists.The taxon with highest frequency among the samples(n=79)was Mesotaenium cf.berggrenii,a eukaryotic Zygnematophyceae,which occurred in 82%of the samples with a maximum cell density of 68 cells·mL^(-1).The taxa with second and third highest frequency were the prokaryotes Gloeocapsopsis(60%)and Leptolyngbya(41%),followed by Chlamydomonas(34%)and Cyanothece(29%).The number of taxa varied between 7-21 among the lakes and ponds,being highest in a supraglacial lake,and lowest in an epiglacial lake.The results did not reveal any obvious correlation between the abundance of any taxa and the water chemistry,but water bodies with inorganic sediments had higher cell densities and biomasses than those without sediment.This suggests the importance of sediment in supporting biological diversity in these ultraoligotrophic lakes and ponds.

Integrated Assessment of the Ecological Status of Bulgarian Lowland and Semi-Mountain Natural Lakes

This work focuses on an integrated approach for lake ecological status assessment, elaborated according to the requirements of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD). Data from five lowland and semi-mountain lakes in Bulgaria (Southeast Europe) collected from two years (2011-2012) form the basis for an integrated assessment and the definition of reference conditions. Several metrics were applied in combination, to classify lakes into five ecological status classes. Assemblages of aquatic organisms: phytoplankton, macrophytes and benthic macroinvertebrates, together with 11 supporting physico-chemical parameters were studied. The assessed unique conditions suggested that reference conditions of Bulgarian lakes have natural variability. This first baseline study illustrated specific cases within the lake types that should be assessed in details before providing standardized classification systems in compliance with the requirements of WFD.

Physico-Chemical and Biological Characteristics of Stagnant Surface Water Bodies (Ponds and Lakes) Used for Drinking and Domestic Purposes in Niger Delta, Nigeria

The surface water quality of some stagnant water bodies (ponds and lakes—Obi Lake, Usede pond, Oguta lake, Omuku pond, Ugheghe pond, Karabodone lake, Abua lake, Ikarama lake, Tenmako lake, and Adiegbe lake) in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria have been investigated experimentally by analysing the physico-chemical and biological characteristics of the surface water samples. Results show: pH (5.10 - 7.40), temperature (26.4°C - 31.0°C), turbidity (7.83 - 27.7NTU), electrical conductivity (13.5 - 34.8 μS/cm), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) (1.07 - 19.5 mg/l), chemical oxygen demand (COD) (1.90 - 21.5 mg/l), suspended solids (SS) (9.70 - 37.3 mg/l), dissolved oxygen (DO) (2.7 - 8.7 mg/l), total dissolved solids (TDS) (33.8 - 187.0 mg/l), total phosphorus (0.73 - 2.47 mg/l), ammoniacal nitrogen (AN) (0.018 - 4.70 mg/l) and total fecal coliform count (TFCC) (nil - 2175 cfu/ml). Results on the water quality using Malaysian Water Quality Index (WQI) show that Usede pond and Obi Lake belong to Class II with values that are 75.24 and 76.73 respectively. The WQI of Oguta lake, Omuku pond, Ugheghe pond, Karabodone lake and Abua lake are 67.46, 65.64, 65.87, 50.77, and 67.01 respectively and belongs to class III. The WQI of Ikarama lake, Tenmako lake, and Adiegbe lake are 43.38, 37.60, and 41.40, respectively and belongs to class IV and is described as fair.

Trophic Status of Shallow Lakes of La Pampa (Argentina) and Its Relation with the Land Use in the Basin and Nutrient Internal Load

Phosphorus and nitrogen are essential nutrients for living organisms. Their concentration in the water of an aquatic ecosystem is one of the factors responsible for the trophic status of the lake and is related to the soils of the region and to the human activities carried out in their basins. These nutrients are also found in the bottom sediments, where they can either be retained or re-enter the water column. Since the information about the concentrations of nutrients in the water of some lakes of La Pampa (Argentina) is fragmentary, the aim of this study is to describe the trophic status of some shallow lakes of the semiarid center of Argentina and analyze its relation with the human activities in their basins, the concentrations of nutrients and organic matter and particle size distribution of sediments. To this end, we studied ten shallow lakes subjected to different anthropogenic influences (agriculture, agriculture and livestock and impacted by cities). All were hypertrophic and the concentrations of total phosphorus and total nitrogen were among the highest reported globally. Since some lakes had no fish, cladoceran grazing (top-down effect) led them have reduced concentrations of phytoplankton chlorophyll-a and high water transparency. This relativizes the use of these parameters to determine the trophic status. The sediments of seven of the studied lakes were predominated by fine sands, whereas three were predominated by silts. Nutrient and organic matter content were high, with higher concentrations in lakes with prevalence of fine particles. The reduced adsorption capacity of sediments, the resuspension by wind, the anthropogenic input and the accumulation favored by the arheic character of the basins would explain the high concentrations of nutrients in the water of these Pampean environments.

Morphology of crater and caldera lakes in the Far Eastern region of Russia and the features of their development

Volcanic lakes in the Kuril-Kamchatka region are difficult to access,and for this reason,they remain poorly studied,with only scattered and brief data available.The authors have conducted a study of 10 lake basins using modern digital echolocation survey techniques and have also compiled and summarized published data for 15 lakes in the region,calculating their main morphometric characteristics.It has been established that many caldera lake basins are modified by young explosive funnels,extrusive or effusive domes,and exhibit traces of hydrothermal activity.While lakes of the same genetic type in the Kuril-Kamchatka region are similar in depth and depression forms,the group of caldera lakes shows less homogeneity across all morphometric indicators.It was found that the absolute heights of the reservoirs on Kamchatka Peninsula are generally greater than those on the Kuril Islands,as is often the case with the size of their basins.The volcanic lakes under study can rapidly change their volume and shape under the influence of endogenous processes.For the first time for this region,on the base of repeated observations,underwater extrusive dome rate growth and the approximate rates of 2 lake level changes were calculated.Repeated observations of lakes in the Ksudach calderas(Kamchatka)and on Simushir Island indicate approximate rates of level changes:a decrease ranging within 0.5-0.6 m per year(over a 27-year observation interval)and an increase reaching up to 0.26 m per year(over a 48-year interval).The growth rate of the underwater extrusive dome in Lake Shtyubel has averaged 1-1.6 m per year over the past 25 years.This analysis has facilitated the first generalization regarding the morphology and developmental features of crater and caldera lakes in the Kuril-Kamchatka region of Russia,representing an important step in their study.The results obtained will provide a solid foundation for subsequent research in this region and may be of interest to researchers studying other volcanic lakes.

Diversity and Adaptations of Immature Diptera in Semiaquatic Habitats at Shorelines of Hypersaline Lakes in the Crimea,with a Brief Review of Diptera in Mineralized Bodies of Water

The order Diptera(Insecta)is one of animal groups most successful in the colonization of mineralized shallow aquatic and semiaquatic environments.At the same time,the taxonomic composition of Diptera,their role in

Glacial lakes under climate change: the imperative for comparative studies of microbial carbon metabolism in the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau and the Arctic

Glacial lakes,intimately linked to glacier termini,are crucial landscape features of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau(QXP,Qinghai-Tibet Plateau)and the Arctic.Climate warming has accelerated glacier retreat and the rapid expansion of glacial lakes in both regions.Despite being typically considered harsh environments,these lakes serve as vital reservoirs for microbial biodiversity and carbon metabolism.In the face of climate change,glacial lake ecosystems over the QXP and the Arctic are undergoing unprecedentedtransformations.Thisopinioneditorial highlights the significance of conducting research and establishing long-term monitoring programs focused on microbial carbon metabolism in these glacial lakes.

The characteristic pattern of multiple colored layers in coastal stratified lakes in the process of separation from the White Sea

An unusual feature of the saline stratified lakes that were formed due to ongoing postglacial uplift on the White Sea coast is the presence of several differently colored thin layers in the zone with sharp gradients. Colored layers in five lakes at various stages of separation from the sea were investigated using optical microscopy, spectrophotometry, spectrofluorimetry, and photobiology. The upper greenish colored layer located in the aerobic strata of all lakes near the compensation depth of 1% light penetration contains green algae. In the chemocline, another layer, brightly green, red or pink, is dominated by mixotrophic flagellates. Despite the very low light intensities and the presence of H 2 S, active photosynthesis by these algae appears to be occurring, as indicated by high values of the maximum quantum yield of primary photochemistry, electron transport activity, photosynthetic activity of photosystem II, the fraction of active centers, and low values of heat dissipation. In the reduced zone of the chemocline, a dense green or brown suspension of anoxygenic phototrophs(green sulfur bacteria) is located.

EVOLUTIONARY CHARACTERISTICS OF LAKES AND PALAEOCLIMATIC UNDULATION IN THE Q AID AM BASIN,CHINA

The Qaidam Basin is. a tectonically controlled depression at 2700 m altitude on the northern margin of the Tibet Plateau. A succession of Neogene clastic sediments indicates lake depocentre migration from NW to SE. Towards late Pliocene, evaporative conditions developed with formation of gypsum, halite, celestite, mirabilite and bloedite. Continued deformation through Pleistocene developed a series of NW- SE trending domes and troughs. This setting continued to exert a controlling influence on basin and brine evolution and the progressive development of sulfate to chloride brines as, dry conditions intensified in late Pleistocene, at the end of which, extensive flat floors were formed in Dalangtan, Qarhan and other playas.The, model, which was set up based on the synthetic analyses, divides the fluctuating palaeoclimate since 750ka,B. P. into 11 warm and humid stages and 10 dry and cold stages. The water of the lakes evaporated during the dry-cold periods and were freshened during the warm-humid

GEOCHEMICAL FEATURES OF AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT IN CRATER AND BARRIER LAKES IN NORTHEAST OF CHINA

There are many crater and barrier lakes formed by volcanic activity in northeast of China. These lakes are very rich in fresh water resource. This paper reports systematically geochemical features of some elements in water and sediment in crater and barrier lakes, and discusses the vertical changes, seasonal variation of some elemental concentrations in the lake water and the correlation and the moving coefficient of some elements in sediment. The result shows that the concentrations of Na, Rb, Cs, K, Be, W and F in the crater lake water are higher than those in the barrier lake water, the concentrations of Pb and La are higher and the concentrations of V, Co and Ba are lower in the crater lake sediment than in the barrier lake sediment. Moreover, the concentrations of elements in the lake water and sediment are effected strongly by the lithological characters of the catchment; on the other hand, the biogeochemical effect also acts as an important role.

Radiochemoecological Monitoring of the Salt Lakes of the Crimea

1 Introduction The salt lakes of the Crimea contain the practically inexhaustible sources of salts of sodium,magnesium,bromine and other chemical elements(Ponizovskii,1965),being the potential powerful raw materials base for the