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Reconstruction of pH by chrysophycean scales in some lakes of the Southern Alps

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Abstract

Chrysophycean scales were examined in surface sediments collected from 22 high mountain lakes on the southern slope of the Central Alps, some in Italy and some in Switzerland. The study area receives slightly acidic precipitation and summer lake pH ranges between 5.2 and 8.0.

In each lake chrysophycean scale assemblage was dominated by one or two species and its composition was related to lakewater pH.

Five short cores were examined in low-alkalinity lakes and evidence of recent lake acidification was found.

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Marchetto, A., Lami, A. Reconstruction of pH by chrysophycean scales in some lakes of the Southern Alps. Hydrobiologia 274, 83–90 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00014630

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