Paleolimnological investigation of recent sediments from Lake Monroe, Florida, USA.

• Main Author: Carroll, Bryan P.
• Format: Others
• Published: FIU Digital Commons 2005
• Subjects: Earth Sciences; Environmental Sciences; Geology; Physical Sciences and Mathematics
• Online Access: http://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/2059; http://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3314&context=etd

Sediments recovered in October 2003 from Lake Monroe, a hypereutrophic lake in central Florida, have been sub-sampled and analyzed for δ13C, δ15N, TC, TIC, TOC, and TN. A chronology of bulk sediment and nutrient accumulation was established by radiometric analyses (210Pb, 137Cs, and 14C), to aid in evaluating spatial and temporal patterns within the lake since development in the watershed began. A continuous 100- year sediment record from Lake Monroe shows significant changes in production, sedimentation, and nutrient abundance following land settlement in the mid 1800's. Sediment nutrient and isotopic analyses demonstrate an increasing trend in nutrients, δ-values, and sediment accumulation relative to pre-disturbance deposits. The sediment geochemical record suggests increased production, possible nutrient limitation, and shifts in primary producer communities through time. The data demonstrates that these historic increases are a direct result of watershed development, land use alterations, and increased nutrient loading within the basin.