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Midge-and diatom-based palaeosalinity reconstructions for Mahoney Lake, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

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International Journal of Salt Lake Research

Abstract

Salinity fluctuations in lakes of semi-arid regions have long been recognised as indicators of palaeoclimatic change, and have provided a valuable line of evidence in palaeo-climatic reconstruction. In the present study, fossil remains of diatoms and midges were used to reconstruct salinity changes at Mahoney Lake from the early postglacial, through the early, mid and late Holocene. A transition from midges typical of a freshwater community (Protanypus, Sergentia, Heterotrissocladius, Cladopelma, Dicrotendipes) during the early postglacial, to those indicative of saline environments (Cricotopus/Orthocladius, Tanypus) occurred in the early Holocene. The midge-inferred salinity values reflected the shift from freshwater (0.031 g/L) immediately after deglaciation, to saline water (2.4 to 55.2 g/L) in subsequent periods. A less saline period was found to have occurred after 1000 yr BP, suggesting a cooler or wetter period. The diatom record indicates similar trends, with freshwater taxa (e.g.,Cyclotella bodanica var. aff.lemanica) dominating near the bottom of the core. Diatom-inferred salinities indicate that saline conditions (about 30 g/L) prevailed throughout subsequent Holocene time, although relatively fresh conditions are indicated following deposition of the Mazama Ash, and from about 1500 yr BP until the present day. Midge and diatom-inferred salinity reconstructions for Mahoney Lake compare favorably with each other, and with climate trends inferred from earlier palynological evidence. The palaeosalinity record thus contributes new data relevant to past climatic conditions, in a region where little data have previously been collected.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, North Kelowna Campus, Okanagan University College, 3333 College Way, V1V 1V7, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada

    Mark L. Heinrichs & Ian R. Walker

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, V5A 1S6, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada

    Mark L. Heinrichs & Rolf W. Mathewes

  3. Paleoecological Environmental Assessment and Research Laboratory (PEARL) Department of Biology, Queen's University, K7L 3N6, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

    Susan E. Wilson & John P. Smol

  4. Westwater Research Centre, University of British Columbia, 1933 West Mall Annex, V6T 1Z2, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

    Kenneth J. Hall

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  1. Mark L. Heinrichs
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  2. Susan E. Wilson
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Heinrichs, M.L., Wilson, S.E., Walker, I.R. et al. Midge-and diatom-based palaeosalinity reconstructions for Mahoney Lake, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada. International Journal of Salt Lake Research 6, 249–267 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02449928

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