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The influence of earthquakes on large lacustrine ecosystems, with particular emphasis on Lake Sevan, Armenia

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Abstract

This paper discusses the influence of earthquakes on large water ecosystems, with particular emphasis on Lake Sevan, Armenia. Earthquakes impact on large lacustrine ecosystems in seismically active areas in a number of ways, including chemistry and lake dynamics. Conclusions are drawn from a large database that includes biological, hydrological, geochemical and seismic information. Strong earthquakes change the water chemistry and pH of the lake and consequently the chemical and biological processes that take place in the lake bed sediments. Analysis of historical earthquakes shows their influence on the organic carbon in the sediments, the changes of the lake dynamics and variations in bacteria, phytoplankton and zooplankton at the base of the food chain.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Seismogeochemical and Analytical Center of National Survey for Seismic Protection, Republic of Armenia, Acharyan 54 a, Yerevan, 375040, Armenia

    S. Z. Gulakyan

  2. British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham, NG12 5GG, U.K.

    I. P. Wilkinson

Authors
  1. S. Z. Gulakyan
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  2. I. P. Wilkinson
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Gulakyan, S.Z., Wilkinson, I.P. The influence of earthquakes on large lacustrine ecosystems, with particular emphasis on Lake Sevan, Armenia. Hydrobiologia 472, 123–130 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1016398420530

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1016398420530

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