A limnological description of Lake Marco Shores, a manmade brackish water lake

Authors

Charles M. Courtney, Florida International University

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Major/Program

Environmental Engineering

First Advisor's Name

Patsy McLaughlin

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Chair

Second Advisor's Name

Walter Goldberg

Third Advisor's Name

Robert Judge

Date of Defense

8-1979

Abstract

A limnological description of Lake Marco Shores, Collier County, Florida was conducted from October, 1976 through March, 1979. This manmade lake was located close to the estuary and was long (344 m) in relation to its breadth (237.9 m). A large percentage (83) of the volume of the lake occupied a cryptodepression.

1. The lake was shown to be meromictic, with a stable vertical density structure over an annual cycle.

2. The lower layer evidenced accumulated nutrients relative to the top layer which was nutrient poor and always anaerobic. The upper layer was always aerobic.

3. The water column as a whole, had no net production over an annual cycle, but analysis of discreet depth intervals between the two main layers did indicate that production was occurring in this narrow zone.

4. The meromictic condition was shown to be maintained by seepage of ground water into the lake at depths and by the surface input of rainfall and runoff.

5. The vertical chemical and physical structure of the surrounding ground water was shown to be similar to that of the lake, but not like that of either the estuary or inland areas of Collier County.

6. The flora and fauna of the lake had brackish water affinities with marine and fresh water forms finding conditions in the lake and surrounding watershed suitable for maintenance and reproduction. The benthos and plankton were shown to orient vertically relative to the lake’s strata. A great concentration of zooplankton and phytoplankton was seen at the interface between the two layers.

7. The low production and nutrient concentrations and high transparency of the upper layer indicate that Lake Marco Shores is oligotrophia.

Identifier

FI14061530

Comments

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Recommended Citation

Courtney, Charles M., "A limnological description of Lake Marco Shores, a manmade brackish water lake" (1979). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2658.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/2658