Me. Lebo et Je. Reuter, SPATIAL VARIABILITY IN SEDIMENT COMPOSITION AND EVIDENCE FOR RESUSPENSION IN A LARGE, DEEP LAKE, Marine and freshwater research, 46(1), 1995, pp. 321-326
Spatial variability in the composition of sediments in Pyramid Lake, N
evada, was assessed in June 1992 by collecting surficial samples at 32
sites. For those sites, organic fractions were highest in the centre
of the lake and low near the single inflow to the system. The spatial
patterns for organic C, N, and P in lake sediments indicated that smal
l organic-rich particles are preferentially deposited in the centre of
the lake. This sorting of particles by water depth was supported by a
corresponding decrease in the particle size distribution of sediments
with station depth and by limited sediment-trap data. Further, a comp
arison of sediment-trap particle flux rates with the net sediment accu
mulation rate for the centre of the lake based on Pb-210 decay indicat
ed that the resuspension of bottom sediments in Pyramid Lake (z(max.)
= 102 m) must occur throughout the lake.