Chemical diversity in south-eastern Australian saline lakes. I: geochemical causes

L. C. Radke, K. W. F. Howard and Peter A. Gell

Abstract

This study re-examined hydrochemical data for south-eastern Australian saline lakes using graphical techniques and reaction path models generated by PHRQPITZ. Results showed that the lakes are more diverse than previous studies have implied. Cyclic solute matrices are modified in catchments by rock–water interactions, mineral dissolution, seawater intrusion and cation-exchange reactions, and within the lakes by sulfate reduction, mixing, brine reflux, mineral precipitation and the recycling of the most soluble salts. Three different pathways of the Eugster–Jones–Hardie models are identified. The study is important because the described variations of water chemistry influence the composition of lake biota.

Keywords: salt lakes, cyclic salts, dolomite, halite, calcite, weathering

Marine and Freshwater Research 53(6) 941 - 959 (2002) doi:10.1071/MF01231