Exploring hydraulic residence in Minnesota's Sentinel Lakes: implications for management
2014-08
Loading...
View/Download File
Persistent link to this item
Statistics
View StatisticsJournal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Title
Exploring hydraulic residence in Minnesota's Sentinel Lakes: implications for management
Authors
Published Date
2014-08
Publisher
Type
Thesis or Dissertation
Abstract
Lake systems present a challenge in determining how water associated solutes cycle with time. Lake hydraulic residence time is an important lake management variable dependent on several factors including: volume, watershed size, location within a watershed and climatic variability. The stable isotopes of hydrogen (Deuterium expressed as δD) and oxygen (δ<super>18</super>O) can provide some hydrologic insight to lake water quality management. Analyzing the stable isotopic composition of lake water δD and δ<super>18</super>O over time can aid in identifying source water input mixing and evaporative processes. Lake water δD and δ<super>18</super>O were compared to the isotopic composition of atmospheric water vapor which has a known isotopic concentration at specific latitudes and air temperatures (Burns and McDonnell, 1998; Dansgaard, 1964). Study lakes were sampled spring, summer, and fall over a three year period. Deviations in the amplitudes of fractionated lake water compared to water vapor was modeled to predict hydraulic residence time for twenty-four lakes throughout Minnesota. Results suggest hydraulic residence time was dynamic; variations occurred with annual source water contributions, watershed size and connectivity. Ranges of annual hydraulic residence time among individual lakes were as great as 18.8 years and as small as 0.4 years. δD and δ<super>18</super>O values were plotted in relation to the Meteoric Water Line (MWL) for all study lakes. A gradient of δD and δ<super>18</super>O values were found in relation to latitude. Lighter values ofδD and δ<super>18</super>O were found in northern Minnesota compared to southern Minnesota. Variations in seasonal δD and δ<super>18</super>O created annual amplitudes that provide insight into lake water budgets and residence times. The use of δD and δ<super>18</super>O offer water quality managers a tool to better understand, protect, and remediate lakes and their watersheds.
Description
University of Minnesota Master of Science thesis. August 2014. Major: Natural resources science and management. Advisor: Joe Magner. 1 computer file (PDF); v, 52 pages, appendices A-F.
Related to
Replaces
License
Series/Report Number
Funding information
Isbn identifier
Doi identifier
Previously Published Citation
Suggested citation
Engel, Lee Charles. (2014). Exploring hydraulic residence in Minnesota's Sentinel Lakes: implications for management. Retrieved from the University Digital Conservancy, https://hdl.handle.net/11299/166711.
Content distributed via the University Digital Conservancy may be subject to additional license and use restrictions applied by the depositor. By using these files, users agree to the Terms of Use. Materials in the UDC may contain content that is disturbing and/or harmful. For more information, please see our statement on harmful content in digital repositories.