Abstract
In 1859, the level of Lake Höytiäinen was lowered accidentally by 9.5 m and 157 km2 new land was formed. The event is marked by a 2–3 cm inwash horizon of clay and fine silt in deep-water sediments. In the sediment profile, the dry weights of 2 cm thick subsamples increase from 51 mg g−1 in the clay horizon and decrease back to 117–127 mg g−1 below the clay horizon. Below the pale clay horizon the sediment is muddy and rich in organic substances.
Loss on ignition, amount of Tot.P, Tot.N and BOD7 are the highest below the clay horizon. The clay horizon has prevented mixing of the old sediment as well as aerobic decomposition of organic compounds. The high loss on ignition and the large proportion of biologically degradable organic substances in the old sediment resembles the new upper sediment of a typical central Finnish lake.
The finding of a 133 year old well preserved top sediment sows that before the impact of waste waters and fertilizers, the upper sediment of the lake was rich in organic substances and nutrients. In spite of cultivation of new land later on, the new top sediment above the clay horizon is not as rich in organic substances and nutrients as the old one below it. This suggests that part of the organic substances may be mobile within the sediment and move to the uppermost sediment layer in the course of time in undisturbed lake sediments.
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Matinvesi, J. 133-year-old well-presented top sediment from the Finnish Lake Höytiäinen in comparison with new top sediments. Hydrobiologia 294, 5–11 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00017619
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00017619