Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Changes in the importance of lotic and littoral diatoms in a high arctic lake over the last 191 years

  • Published:
Journal of Paleolimnology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Both habitat preferences and community associations for some of the most prominent pennate taxa in our profile were established using samples from the modern lake and its watershed. Habitat preferences were used to establish a simple indicator for the relative contribution of lotic communities in this lake (Lotic Index) and indicator taxa for both littoral (Achnanthes spp. and Cymbella spp.) and lotic (Hannaea arcus and Meridion circulare) communities. When profiled, the Lotic Index showed a clear positive relationship to sedimentation rate as recorded in the varves, while profiles of littoral indicator taxa show the opposite trends. It seems likely that the patterns we observed in the Lotic Index are related to changes in runoff. Apparently, there was a period of declining runoff beginning ca. two centuries ago and ending in the late 1800's. This was followed by increasing runoff lasting until the middle of the 20th century. A brief minimum occurred in ca. 1970 followed by a recovery by ca. 1980.

A strong positive relationship was also found between the dates of major turbidites, exceptionally thick varves and the concentration of valves in the sediment. It is possible that many of the thicker varves in the profiles contain littoral material transported to the site of deposition by turbid interflows and underflows. For this reason, the concentration of valves in the sediment in our cores appears to be a proxy for sediment deposition from turbidity currents.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Andrews, J. T. & L. Brubaker, 1991. The paleoclimates of Arctic Lakes and Estuaries. Science and Implementation Plan. Proceedings of a Steering Committee Meeting, held at the University of Colorado, Boulder, March 16–17, 1991. Supported by DPP-9018782.

  • Battarbee R. W., 1973. A new method for the estimation of absolute microfossil numbers, with reference especially to diatoms. Limnol. Oceanogr. 18: 647–653.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blake W. Jr., M. Boucherle, B. Fredskild, J. Janssens & J. P. Smol, 1992. The geomorphological setting, glacial history and Holocene development of Kap Inglefield Sø, Inglefield Land, North-West Greenland. Meddr. Grønland, Geosci 27: 1–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bradley R. S., M. J. Retelle, S. D. Ludlam, D. R. Hardy, B. Zolitschka & S. F. Lamoureux, 1996. The Taconite Imet Lakes Project: a systems approach to paleoclimatic reconstruction. J. Paleolimnol. 16: 97–110.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bradbury, J. P. & W. E. Dean, 1993. Elk Lake, Minnesota: Evidence for rapid climate change in the North-Central United States. Boulder, Colorado, Geological Society of America Special Paper 276, 336 pp.

  • Child, J. K., 1991. Sediment deposition in a High Arctic meromictic lake: Relationship between climatic conditions and sedimentary processes. Honors Thesis (B.S.), Department of Geology, Bates College, Lewiston, Maine, 128 pp.

  • Dixit S. S., J. P. Smol, J. C. Kingston & D. F. Charles, 1992. Diatoms: powerful indicators of environmental change. Envir. Sci. Technol. 26: 23–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Douglas B., 1958. The ecology of the attached diatoms and other algae in a small stony stream. J. Ecol. 46: 295–322.

    Google Scholar 

  • Douglas, M. S. V., 1989. Taxonomic and ecological characterization of freshwater diatoms from the sediments of 36 High Arctic ponds (Cape Herschel, Ellesmere Island, N.W.T., Canada). Queen's University, Msc Thesis, 172 pp.

  • Douglas M. S. V. & J. P. Smol, 1993. Freshwater diatoms from high arctic ponds (Cape Herschel, Ellesmere Island, N.W.T.) Nova Hedwigia 57: 511–552.

    Google Scholar 

  • Douglas M. S. V. & J. P. Smol, 1994. Diatoms from epilithic, epipelic and epiphytic microhabitats in ponds from Cape Herschel, Ellesmere Island, N.W.T. In P. Hamilton (Ed.), Proceedings of the 4th Arctic-Antarctic Diatom Symposium Workshop. Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, 18–21.09.93. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. aquat. Sci. 1957: 65–75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Douglas, M. S. V. & J. P. Smol, 1995. Periphytic diatom assemblages from high Arctic ponds. J. Phycol. In Press.

  • Douglas M. S. V., J. P. Smol & W. Blaker Jr., 1994. Marked post-18th century environmental change in high-arctic ecosystems. Science 266: 416–419.

    Google Scholar 

  • Douglas M. S. V., S. D. Ludlam & S. Feeney, 1996. Changes in diatom assemblages in Lake C2 (Ellesmere Island, Arctic Canada): Response to basin isolation from the sea and to other environmental changes. J. Paleolimnol. 16: 217–226.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foged N., 1981. Diatoms in Alaska. Bibliotheca Phycologica 53: 1–317.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert R., 1975. Sedimentation in Lillooet Lake, British Columbia. Can. J. Earth Sci. 12: 1697–1711.

    Google Scholar 

  • Håkanson L., 1977. The influence of wind, fetch and water depth on the distribution of sediments in Lake Vänern, Sweden. Can. J. Earth Sci. 14: 397–412.

    Google Scholar 

  • Håkansson H., 1990. A comparison of Cyclotella krammeri sp. nov. and C. schumannii Håkansson stat. nov. with similar species. Diatom Res. 5: 261–271.

    Google Scholar 

  • Håkansson H., 1993. Morphological and taxonomic problems in four Cyclotella species (Bacillariophyceae). Diatom Res. 8: 309–316.

    Google Scholar 

  • Håkansson H. & H. Kling, 1989. A light and electron microscopical investigation of the type species of Cyclotella (Bacillariophyceae) and related forms, using original material. Diatom Res. 4: 269–288.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamilton P. B., M. S. V. Douglas, S. Fritz, R. Pienitz, J. P. Smol & A. P. Wolfe, 1994. A compiled freshwater diatom taxa list for the Arctic and Subarctic regions of North America. In: P. B. Hamilton (Ed.) Proceedings of the 4th Arctic-Antarctic Diatom Symposium (Workshop). Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, 18–21.09.93. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. aquat. Sci. 1957: 85–102.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamilton P. B. & S. A. Edlund, 1994. Occurrence of Prasiola fluviatilis (Chlorophyta) on Ellesmere Island in the Canadian Arctic. J. Phycol. 30: 217–221.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamilton P. B., M. Poulin, C. Prévost, M. Angell & S. A. Edlund, 1994. Americanarum Diatomarum Exsiccata: Fascicle II (CANA), voucher slides representing 34 lakes, ponds and streams from Ellesmere Island, Canadian High Arctic, North Anerica. Diatom Res. 9: 303–327.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hardy D. R., 1996. Climatic influences on streamflow and sediment flux into Lake C2, Northern Ellesmere Island, Canada. J. Paleolimnol. 16: 133–149.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hattersley-Smith G., J. E. Keys, H. Serson & J. E. Mielke, 1970. Density stratified lakes in Northern Ellesmere Island. Nature 225: 55–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Houghton J. T., G. J. Jenkins, J. J. Ephraums (Eds.), 1990. Climate Change. The IPCC Scientific Assessment. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kling H. & H. Håkansson, 1988. A light and electron microscope study of Cyclotella species (Bacillariophyceae) from central and Northern Canada. Diatom Res. 3: 55–82.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krejci J. E. & R. L. Lowe, 1987. Spatial and temporal variation of epipsammic diatoms in a spring-fed brook. J. Phycol. 23: 585–590.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lamb M. A. & R. L. Lowe, 1987. Effects of current velocity on the physical structuring of diatom (Bacillariophyceae) communities. Ohio J. Sci. 87: 72–78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lambert A. M. & K. J. Hsü, 1979. Non-annual cycles of varve-like sedimentation in Walensee, Switzerland. Sedimentology 26: 453–461.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lamoureux, S. F., 1994. Paleoclimatic reconstruction from varved lake sediments, Lake C2, Ellesmere Island, Canada. MSc Thesis, Department of Geology and Geography, University of Massachusetts at Amherst. 160 pp.

  • Leavitt P. R., B. J. Hann, J. P. Smol, B. A. Zeeb, C. E. Christie, B. Wolfe & H. J. Kling, 1994. Paleolimnological analysis of whole-lake experiments: an overview of results from Experimental Lakes Area Lake 227. Can. J. Fish. aquat. Sci. 51: 2322–2332.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lotter A., 1989. Evidence of annual layering in Holocene sediments of Soppensee, Switzerland. Aquatic Sciences 51: 19–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lowe R. L., 1974. Environmental requirements and pollution tolerance of freshwater diatoms. NERC, USPEP, Cincinnati, Ohio. EPA-670/4–74–005.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ludlam S. D., 1969. Fayetteville Green Lake, New York. III. The laminated sediments. Limnol. Oceanogr. 14: 848–857.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ludlam S. D., 1974. Fayetteville Green Lake, New York. 6. The role of turbidity currents in lake sedimentation. Limnol. Oceanogr. 19: 656–664.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ludlam S. D., 1976. Laminated sediments in holomictic Berkshire lakes. Limnol. Oceanogr. 21: 743–746.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ludlam, S. D., 1992. The comparative limnology of the Taconite Inlet lakes, Ellesmere Island, N.W.T. Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado. Program and Abstracts, 22nd Arctic Workshop: 92–93.

  • Ludlam S. D., 1996a. The comparative limnology of high Arctic, coastal, meromictic lakes. J. Paleolimnol. 16: 111–131.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ludlam S. D., 1996b. Stratification patterns in Taconite Inlet, Ellesmere Island, N.W.T. J. Paleolimnol. 16: 205–215.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore J. W., 1974. The benthic algae of Southern Baffin Island. I. Epipelic communities in rivers. J. Phycol. 10: 50–57.

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Brien, S. M., 1991. Distribution of diatom assemblages in the surface sediment of a high Arctic meromictic lake: Implications for paleo-environment reconstruction. Honors B. S. Thesis, Bates College, Lewiston, Maine. 89 pp., 13 plates.

  • PALE, 1993. Paleoclimates of Arctic Lakes and Estuaries. Research protocols for projects funded under National Science Foundation initiative of PALE.

  • Patrick R. & C. W. Reimer, 1966. Diatoms of the United States Exclusive of Alaska and Hawaii. Vol. I. Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, USA. Monograph No. 13: 688 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Patrick R. & C. W. Reimer, 1975. Diatoms of the United States Exclusive of Alaska and Hawaii. Vol II. Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, USA. Monograph No. 13: 213 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peglar S. M., 1993. The mid-Holocene Ulmus decline at Diss Mere, Norfolk, UK: a year-by-year pollen stratigraphy from annual laminations. The Holocene 3: 1–13.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pickrill R. A. & J. Irwin, 1983. Sedimentation in a deep glacier-fed lake-Lake Tekapo, New Zealand. Sedimentology 30: 63–75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Retelle, M.J. & J. K. Child, 1992. Suspended sediment transport and deposition in a high Arctic meromictic Lake, Northern Ellesmere Island, Canada. Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado Program and Abstracts, 22nd Arctic Workshop: 117–119.

  • Roots E. F., 1990. Environmental issues related to climate change in Northern high latitudes. pp. 6–31. In J. A. W. McCulloch (Ed). Arctic and global change. Proceedings of the Symposium of the Arctic and Global Change. Climate Institute. Washington, D.C., 155 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simpson E. H., 1949. Measurement of diversity. Nature 163: 688.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smol J. P., 1983. Paleophycology of a high Arctic lake near Cape Herschel, Ellesmere Island. Can. J. Bot. 61: 2195–2204.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smol J. P., 1988. Paleoclimate proxy data from freshwater Arctic diatoms. Verh. int. Ver. Limnol. 23: 837–844.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smol J. P., I. R. Walker & P. R. Leavitt, 1991. Paleoclimate proxy data from freshwater arctic diatoms. Verh. int. Ver. Limnol. 24: 1240–1246.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wendker S., 1992. Influence of current velocity on diatoms of a small softwater stream. Diatom Res. 7: 387–396.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zolitschka, B., 1992. Sedimentation in Nonglacial Arctic Lakes at Taconite Inlet, Ellesmere Island, Canada. Sedimentology, Paleomagnetism, Image Analysis. Department of Geology and Geography, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, 84 pp.

  • Zolitschka, B., 1993. Sedimentation in Nonglacial Arctic Lakes at Taconite Inlet, Ellesmere Island, Canada. Volume II: Data and Figures. Department of Geology and Geography, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, 85 pp.

  • Zolitschka B., 1996. Recent sedimentation in a high Arctic lake, Northern Ellesmere Island, Canada. J. Paleolimnol. 16: 169–186.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, 01003, Amherst, MA, USA

    Stuart D. Ludlam & Susan Feeney

  2. Department of Geology, University of Toronto, M5S 3B1, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Marianne S. V. Douglas

Authors
  1. Stuart D. Ludlam
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Susan Feeney
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Marianne S. V. Douglas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

This is the sixth in a series of papers published in this issue on the Taconite Inlet Lakes project. These papers were collected by Dr R. S. Bradley.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ludlam, S.D., Feeney, S. & Douglas, M.S.V. Changes in the importance of lotic and littoral diatoms in a high arctic lake over the last 191 years. J Paleolimnol 16, 187–204 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00176935

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00176935

Key words

Search

Navigation