MINERALOGICAL AND MICROSCOPIC ANALYSES OF MATERIAL DEPOSITED ON SUBMERSED MACROPHYTES IN FLORIDA LAKES

Attached material on submersed vegetation from 18 lakes was analyzed b y x-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy to identify const ituent components. Lake trophic state ranged from oligo-to hyper-eutro phic. Minerals present on Il submersed taxa included calcite, various salts (KCI and NaCl), silicon dioxide (both biogenic and sand) and hem atite. Abundance of deposited material was not related to concentratio ns of precursor elements in the water column. Resuspended sediments an d diatom frustules both contributed to the silica fraction of marl and should be compartmentalized.