Reconstruction of lake-level and climate changes in Lake Qarun,Egypt, during the last 7000 years

Sediment cores from Lake Qarun provide a record of mid-late Holocene climatic changes in Northern and Eastern Africa as well as environmental changes due to the activities of ancient Egyptians. We used sedimentological, mineralogical, and geochemical analyses of the cores to investigate long-term variations in lake level due to changing hydrologic inputs. An age model based on three paired ¹⁴C and paleomagnetic measurements suggests that the base of the sediment cores is as old as ∼ 5000 B.C.E. Geochemical analyses indicated that lake sediments were derived from Nile floods with an admixture of Saharan sand. Laminated endogenic carbonate-rich clayey silt lithofacies with benthic diatoms are indicative of relatively low lake levels, saline waters and dry conditions; massive lithofacies with planktonic diatom species are indicative of relatively high lake levels, fresh waters and humid conditions. Faintly laminated clayey silt lithofacies suggest intermediate conditions. Variations in lithology as well as diatom composition suggest that the lake level has varied from relatively high levels in its early history to lower levels in later years although there have been numerous cycles in water level over the past 7000 years. A combination of climate changes in the source area of the Nile River as a result of monsoon dynamics; climatic changes in the setting area of the Lake Qarun; and human activities through the dynasties in Egypt produced these variations in lake level.     

太湖底泥主要营养物质污染特征分析

为进一步推进太湖流域水环境综合治理工作,给太湖水生态清淤提供决策参考,结合太湖流域管理局2018年组织开展的太湖污染底泥勘察项目调查结果,对太湖底泥中的有机质、氮磷等营养物质的含量及其平面分布、垂向变化情况进行了分析,并与2003年底泥调查结果进行了对比。结果表明:总磷主要集中分布在竺山湖底泥0~30 cm深度内,高含量的总氮和有机质主要分布在竺山湖和东太湖;在外源污染有效控制后,生态清淤工程有利于降低湖区表层底泥的营养物质含量。     

Effects of Hydrological Flow Regime on Sediment-water Interface and Water Column Nitrogen Dynamics in a Great Lakes Coastal Wetland (Old Woman Creek,Lake Erie)

Sediment-water interface nitrogen (N) transformations and water column ammonium cycling rates were measured along a stream to lake gradient at three sites within Old Woman Creek (OWC) and one near-shore Lake Erie site during two hydrological regimes: one with open flow to the lake after a rain event (July 2003), and another with a sand barrier blocking flow (July 2004). Net N2 effluxes in OWC at all times and at the near-shore Lake Erie site in July 2003 suggest that sediments are a N sink via denitrification. Observed dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) may counteract some of this N removal, particularly when the creek mouth is closed. Upstream, a closed creek mouth led to higher sediment oxygen demand, net N₂ flux, potential DNRA, and potential denitrification rates. The lake site exhibited lower rates of these processes with the creek mouth closed except denitrification potential, which was unchanged. Denitrification in OWC appeared to drive N limitation in the lower wetland when the sand barrier was blocking flow to the lake. Higher potential versus in situ denitrification estimates imply that water column NO₃⁻ limits and drives denitrification in OWC. Water column to sediment regeneration ratios suggest that sediment recycling may drive primary production in the OWC interior when the creek mouth is closed and new N inputs from runoff are absent, but more data are needed to confirm these apparent trends. Overall, hydrological regime in OWC appeared to have a greater impact on sediment N processes than on water column cycling.     

Influence of Lake Michigan Holocene Lake Levels on Fluvial Sediments of the Lower Pigeon River,Wisconsin

Thirty-seven vibracores, extending up to 4.86 m, collected along the lower Pigeon River north of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, were used to interpret Holocene lake-level fluctuations of Lake Michigan. The sediments reflect numerous cycles of degradation and aggradation as well as marshland and submergence. The basal unit is till and glaciolacustrine silt and clay. The river cut through these sediments prior to 6,500 ¹⁴C years BP, probably during the Chippewa Low stand, and deposited the lowest gravel unit in the cores. Between 6,500 and 5,500 ¹⁴C years BP, yellowish-red fluvial sand and silt were deposited in the northern half of the valley. Aggrading point bar gravel and overbank silt and fine sand throughout the entire valley record the lake rise to the Nipissing level from about 5,500 to 5,000 ¹⁴C years BP. Subsequent deposition of organic-rich, muddy palustrine sediment indicates that Nipissing water flooded the valley. A lack of sediments with ages between 5,000–2,000 ¹⁴C years BP suggests lack of aggradation, indicating a lowering lake level until about 2,000 ¹⁴C years BP. Sandy-silt overbank sediment deposited over the palustrine sediment since 2,000 ¹⁴C years BP marks the return of floodplain aggradation as lake level stabilized or rose slightly to the modern level. While the river-mouth sediments are not useful for refining Holocene lake-level curves, they do corroborate major events such as the Chippewa Low, the rise to the Nipissing level followed by a period of declining lake level and fluvial erosion, and the small rise to the modern lake level.     

Submerged macrophyte communities and the controlling factors in large,shallow Lake Taihu (China): Sediment distribution and water depth

Lake Taihu, the third largest lake in China, is subjected to severe eutrophication and cyanobacterial blooms as a result of development and urbanization. In order to restore the degraded lake ecosystem, it is important to identify which environmental factors control the submerged macrophytes which declined during eutrophication. To characterize community structure of submerged macrophytes and to assess the plant–environmental relationships in Lake Taihu, a monthly investigation was conducted from May to October in 2010. A total of six species were recorded, dominated by Potamogeton malaianus and Vallisneria natans. Multivariate analysis showed that water depth, depth of soft sediments and nutrient variables (orthophosphate of water, organic matter of sediment, total nitrogen and total phosphorus of sediment) were the major factors determining growth and community composition of submerged macrophytes in the lake. A strong predictive association of soft-sediment depth and plant biomass indicated preference of submerged macrophytes for firm bottoms along the eastern shore and approximately 0.2 m could be regarded as an optimum depth for the growth of plants. The biomass of plants responded proportionately to water depth, and approximately 1.8 m could be regarded as the optimum depth for the growth of submerged macrophyte in Lake Taihu. Our results indicated that improvement of habitat and the selection of appropriate submerged macrophytes species are very important for ecological restoration in large eutrophic lakes. This study could provide useful information for managers and policy makers to evaluate and modify restoration practices in large, shallow lakes.     

Storm-induced Redistribution of Deepwater Sediments in Lake Ontario

High-resolution seismic reflection profiles, side-scan sonar profiles, and surface sediment analyses for grain size (% and, silt & clay), total organic carbon content, and carbonate content along shore-perpendicular transects offshore of Olcott and Rochester in Lake Ontario were utilized to investigate cm-thick sands or absence of deepwater postglacial sediments in water depths of 130 to 165 m. These deepwater sands were observed as each transect approached and occupied the “sills,” identified by earlier researchers, between the three deepest basins of the lake. The results reveal thin (0 to 5-cm) postglacial sediments, lake floor lineations, and sand-rich, organic, and carbonate poor sediments at the deepwater sites (> 130 m) along both transects at depths significantly below wave base, epilimnetic currents, and internal wave activity. These sediments are anomalous compared to shallower sediments observed in this study and deeper sediments reported by earlier research, and are interpreted to indicate winnowing and resuspension of the postglacial muds. We hypothesize that the mid-lake confluence of the two-gyre surface current system set up by strong storm events extends down to the lake floor when the lake is isothermal, and resuspends and winnows lake floor sediment at these locations. Furthermore, we believe that sedimentation is more likely to be influenced by bottom currents at these at these sites than in the deeper basins because these sites are located on bathymetric highs between deeper depositional basins of the lake, and the bathymetric constriction may intensify any bottom current activity at these sites.     

Sediment phosphorus characteristics in the clearwater state of Lake Mogan, Turkey

This study examined the vertical distributions of total phosphorus (TP) and phosphorus fractions, and the iron and organic matter, in the littoral sediment in a macrophyte‐dominated, clearwater state in Lake Mogan between September 2005 and August 2006. Benthic macroinvertebrates and total bacteria in the sediment also were determined. No clear seasonal or depth‐related (0–20 cm) patterns were found in sediment concentrations for the measured parameters. The phosphorus release was quantitatively very low, and a negative phosphorus release (–0.132 µg m^?2 day^?1) was measured during the summer months. The TP concentrations of the sediment samples ranged between 675.00 and 1463.80 µg g^?1 dry weight (DW), and the trophic level of the lake was eutrophic. On average, inorganic phosphorus fractions comprised the largest fraction (63%), while organic‐bound phosphorus (Org ≈ P) constituted 37% of the TP in Lake Mogan. The most important phosphorus‐immobilizing factors are high iron content (14 200–47 750 µg g^?1 DW), the sediment's clay content (47.80–51.80%), and an abundance of macrophytes at the sampling station. The low abundance of benthic macroinvertebrates (510–850 individuals m^?2), which depend on sediments with high iron and low organic matter (5.42–13.30%), played a role in the sediment phosphorus retention. Although bacterial abundance in the surficial sediment appeared to be positively correlated to temperature, the overlying water did not experience anoxic conditions, supporting a state in which bacteria were able to retain phosphorus in their cell structures. Long‐term changes in the sediments of Lake Mogan must be monitored lake. In order to optimize the management of the lake, and to determine the longevity of a clearwater state following management measures and continued external phosphorus loading, long‐term changes in the sediments of Lake Morgan must be monitored.     

Sediment Resuspension and Currents in Lake Manitoba

The physical resuspension of bottom sediment during periods of high winds is thought to be important for nutrient recycling in large shallow lakes. In order to study resuspension, prototype instrumentation designed to collect gram quantities of suspended sediment at 38.1-cm intervals in the water column was deployed in 4.2 m of water in the shallow southern basin of Lake Manitoba for 1-month periods in 1978 and 1981. At about 2.7 m depth a sharp discontinuity was observed in the vertical distribution of total mass of suspended sediment collected. The mean current speed varied linearly with depth above the discontinuity but was more uniform near bottom. Although the water column was not thermally stratified, drogues frequently displayed a two-layer structure in the currents with a high skew in direction between layers. The particle size distributions were similarly discontinuous in the vertical, with large quantities of sand in the upper layer samples and a high silt load in the lower. The unusual particle size distribution, which was explained in terms of the origin of resuspended sediments and subsequent transport by lake currents, suggests a decoupling of lake turbulence between the two layers during high winds.     

Impacts of wind waves on sediment transport in a large,shallow lake

Lake Okeechobee is a large, shallow subtropical lake, located in south Florida. Over the last several decades, Lake Okeechobee has experienced accelerated eutrophication due to excessive phosphorus loads from agricultural run‐off. Recycling of phosphorus from bottom sediments through resuspension is critical to addressing eutrophication of the lake and for water quality management. The present study investigates the impacts of wind waves on sediment transport in Lake Okeechobee, using measured data and the Lake Okeechobee Environmental Model (LOEM). The LOEM was fully calibrated and verified with more than 10 years of measured data in previous studies. Analysis of the measured data indicates significant wave height (SWH) and suspended sediment concentration are closely correlated to the wind speed in the lake. The nonlinear interaction of high‐frequency wind waves with relatively low‐frequency currents in the boundary layer plays a key role in sediment deposition/resuspension. Without considering the effects of wind waves, the bottom shear stress can be greatly underestimated. The spatial variations of key variables for sediment modelling, including SWH, water depth, orbital velocity, current velocity, bottom shear stress and sediment concentration, are discussed. In general, the near‐bottom wave velocity (and the associated bottom shear stress) is greater than or the same order of magnitude as the near‐bed current velocity (and the associated bottom shear stress) in this shallow water system. Although the sediment zones of Lake Okeechobee were described in previous studies, few published papers discussed its formation mechanisms. The findings of the present study include that the multiyear averaged bottom shear stress with wind‐wave effect plays a key role in forming the spatial patterns of the sediment zones. The study results are currently being used in lake management and in developing strategies for reducing phosphorus in the lake.     

Enrichment and geoaccumulation of metals in the superficial sediments of Lake Chivero,Zimbabwe

Sediments act as a sink, being an integrator and an amplifier for metals in rivers, lakes and reservoirs. Thus, sediment quality has been recognized as an important indicator of aquatic pollution. The concentrations of aluminium (Al), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn) and sodium (Na) were studied in the surface sediments of Lake Chivero, Zimbabwe, to determine metal accumulation, distribution, pollution status and to distinguish natural background metal levels from human pollution sources. Sediment samples were collected from 17 locations during a two‐year (2014–2015) monitoring period during the hot–dry, hot–wet and cool–dry seasons. The overall mean metal concentrations exhibited the following decreasing order: Fe > Al>Mn > Ca>K > Mg>Na. The Mn levels for all sites and seasons were above the severe effect level (SEL). The highest metal and enrichment factor (EF) values were observed for the hot–wet season, indicating the period when the reservoir received the highest metal pollution from its catchment. The Geochemical index (I_geo) values for Mn for all seasons indicated moderately to strong contamination in sediments. The pollution load index (PLI) for all seasons indicated low pollution levels. Sediment contamination was attributed to natural sources for Al, Na and K and anthropogenic sources for Fe, Ca, Mg and Mn. The levels of studied metals in the Lake Chivero sediments are comparable to other eutrophic lentic systems. The results of the present study provide baseline information necessary for developing future metal pollution control strategies for Lake Chivero and its catchment.     

Two-Dimensional Numerical Simulation of the Hydro-Sedimentary Phenomena in Lake Taabo, Côte d’Ivoire

In Côte d’Ivoire, most of the reservoirs built to improve water supply, electricity, agriculture and cattle no longer work because of silt deposits and euthrophication. This study aims at modeling the hydro-sedimentary functioning of Lake Taabo in order to understand the sedimentation phenomena taking place. In this survey, 204 water samples and 31 bottom sediment samples were taken, during different hydrological seasons, to estimate suspended sediment concentrations and characterize the bottom sediments of Lake Taabo. The study showed that suspended solid variations are related to hydrological seasons. During dry seasons, the lake is lightly loaded; the average concentration is 7.89 mg/L. At the other end of the scale, during rainy seasons, suspended sediment concentrations increase and the average concentration is around 16.30 mg/L. The bottom of the reservoir mostly consists of mud. Sands are found near the islands and the dam. Sand size varies from medium grain to coarse. The average grain size is 451.48 μm. The hydro-sedimentary environment of Lake Taabo was simulated by a transport model, coupled with a hydrodynamic model. The various simulation scenarios indicated that Lake Taabo is subject to 20 to 60 mm of annual deposits. The greater thicknesses were observed near the spillway and the power intake.     

Assessment of heavy metal contamination in coastal lake sediments associated with urbanization: Southern Kerala,India

The study of the spatiotemporal variation of heavy metals in lake sediments is of great importance because heavy metals can result in toxic effects on aquatic biota through bioaccumulation. This study was undertaken to evaluate the degree of heavy metal contamination in the lacustrine sediments and the corresponding environmental deterioration in a tropical, urban, coastal lake (Akkulam–Veli), located in Kerala, India. The spatiotemporal variations of the cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn) concentrations in the lake sediments, as well as various indices of anthropogenic contamination, including Contamination Factor (CF), Pollution Load Index and Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), were used to assess the degree of contamination. This study indicated contamination of the lake sediments with Cu, Pb and Zn. Urban domestic sewage and land run‐off are the major drivers of the heavy metal loads to the lake. During the pre‐monsoon, sediment contamination occurs in the upstream portion of Akkulam Lake because of a high clay content in the sediments. During the monsoon period, Akkulam Lake and the upstream portion of Veli Lake exhibit sediment contamination owing to high silt content. Domestic sewage is the main source of copper and zinc to the lake. Sewage bypass into the drains in the lake basin is largely responsible for the copper and zinc sediment contamination. High traffic levels and wastewater discharges from service stations/workshops are the main cause of the Pb loads entering the lake. Rubber particles of vehicle tires contain zinc and copper pigments that can accumulate on the surface of busy streets, entering the drains during rainfall events. Based on these study results, the accumulation of copper, zinc and lead in lake sediment can be controlled to a great extent by restricting the above‐noted activities. As the sediment content of lead, zinc and copper is confined to the clay fraction during the non‐rainy season and to the silt fraction during other seasons, lake restoration work should largely incorporate treating the clay and silt fractions, respectively, during both the non‐rainy season and rainy season.     

Diporeia site preference in Lake Superior: Food or physical factors?

Vital to the Lake Superior food web, the amphipod Diporeia remains the dominant macroinvertebrate in Lake Superior despite drastic population declines throughout the rest of the Laurentian Great Lakes. Diporeia is most abundant in the slope region of the lake at water depths between 30 and 125 m. It has been hypothesized that this depth range is preferred because of elevated primary production and deposition within this zone. This hypothesis of food driving habitat preference has not been directly tested. Here we used 120-hour preference-avoidance trials to record Diporeia choice of sediments from different water depths, seasons, and other treatments. Most preferences were weak to absent; however, Diporeia strongly preferred sediment from 30- and 60-m water depths over deeper or shallower sites. Contrary to the hypothesis about food driving habitat choice, chemical characteristics did not explain this strong preference. Grain size variation was the only measured variable that was consistent between the sites preferred by Diporeia and different from unpreferred sites. Both the 30- and 60-meter sites contained predominantly medium silt but had a wider range in grain sizes. These results indicate that physical habitat characteristics may have a stronger bearing on Diporeia habitat preference than food availability and may account for their distribution in the lake. The results also may imply that the role of dreissenid mussels as ecosystem engineers altering sediment physical characteristics may be important where they are abundant.     

升钟湖夏季水和沉积物中磷形态分布特征

为探究升钟湖水和沉积物中磷污染情况,于2019年8月(夏季),采集了升钟湖湖区15个样点的水样和沉积物样品,测定了升钟湖表层水、间隙水及沉积物的磷形态,并分析各种形态磷之间的相关性。结果表明:①升钟湖表层水总磷含量介于0.033～0.085 mg/L,各形态的磷含量由高到低依次为DTP(61.93%)、DOP(40.00%)、PP(38.07%)和DIP(21.93%);②间隙水的总磷含量介于3.49～7.57 mg/L,是水体磷的“源”,正磷酸盐仅占总磷的1.9%;③沉积物总磷含量介于299.04～1 138.69 mg/kg,Psenner法连续分级提取出表层沉积物共有5种形态的磷,各形态磷含量由高到低依次为残渣磷(Res-P:44.78%)、金属氧化物结合态磷+有机碎屑腐殖酸磷(NaOH-P:22.92%)、钙结合态磷(HCl-P:14.82%)、可还原态磷(BD-P:13.39%)和弱吸附态磷(NH₄Cl-P:4.09%),各形态磷含量均表现一定的空间分布差异,其中,总磷含量整体为西北部高于东南部;④相关性分析结果显示,沉积物中磷的释放主要通过BD-P、N...     

Quantification of internal phosphorus load in large,partially polymictic and mesotrophic Lake Simcoe,Ontario

Hypoxia and cyanobacteria still occur occasionally in large, mesotrophic Lake Simcoe, and total phosphorus (TP) concentration has remained relatively constant despite external nutrient load reduction. This may indicate a potential internal P source. Internal load as redox-dependent P release from bottom sediments is hard to determine in such a relatively shallow and mostly mixed lake. This study represents the first attempt to quantify internal P loading over many years for the three main sections of Lake Simcoe. Internal load was determined (a) as in situ estimate based on TP increases between July and October and (b) as gross estimate from the product of experimentally determined P release rates and hypoxic extent of sediment surfaces in space and time. Hypoxic extent was quantified (1) as the hypoxic factor determined from dissolved oxygen profiles below the level of 3.5 mg/L, and (2) as active sediment area release factor (AA) modeled from summer euphotic TP concentration, which is especially useful in the mixed sections. Annual internal load for the whole lake was determined as a near constant 62.2 metric tonnes/yr (86 mg/m²/yr) for 1980–2011 using the gross estimates of the AA approach and 88 t/yr before and 53 t/yr after external load abatement and zebra mussel invasion using in situ estimates. Means of in situ and AA-based estimates for 2000–2011 are in close agreement except for polymictic Cook's Bay. These estimates are 45 to 89% of external load, which suggests that internal loading is an important source of P in Lake Simcoe.     

上海市淀山湖水域春夏季水质特征及环境容量分析

根据2011-2015年间春夏季对上海市淀山湖水域中pH、水温、溶解氧、总氨氮、亚硝酸盐氮、硝酸盐氮、总氮及总磷等环境因子的调查结果,分析水体中氮磷变化特征及营养盐限制状态,采用综合营养状态指数法对水体富营养化现状进行评价,利用数学模型估算淀山湖主要特征污染物的环境容量。结果表明:调查期间TN、TP春季与夏季存在显著差异,除2014年TP季节规律不明显外,春季TN、TP含量显著高于同年夏季;淀山湖三态氮含量排序,NO_3~-—N含量最高,TAN其次,NO-2—N最低,淀山湖水域三态氮基本达到热力学平衡;氮磷Pearson相关性分析表明湖库整体呈氧化性环境,氮磷补给具有异源性。根据水中营养物限制性分类标准分析得出,大多数情况下淀山湖水域氮磷比例合理,少数情况下营养盐限制状态以磷限制为主,氮磷限制状态交替存在的情况,可能会对浮游植物生长和群落演替产生影响。综合营养状态指数法计算结果表明调查期间淀山湖均处于富营养化状态,其中2014年之前基本处于中度富营养化状态,2014年以后处于轻度富营养化状态。环境容量分析表明除2014年夏季CODMn外,调查期间淀山湖水体CODMn、TN及TP的污染负荷现状均大于同期保护目标要求的水环境容量,为达到水环境保护的目标,需要进行不同程度的削减。     

Spatio‐temporal variations in the trophic status of Lake Naivasha,Kenya

The spatio‐temporal dynamics of the trophic state of a lake are crucial in defining its water quality, as well as biodiversity. Accordingly, this study focused on the spatio‐temporal variations of the trophic state, and the possible causes of the heterogeneous turbidity in Lake Naivasha, Kenya. The trophic state of the lake oscillated between a eutrophic and hypereutrophic condition, being found to be more eutrophic than reported in previous studies, indicating a progressive deterioration of its water quality. Inferences from the graphical representation of the deviations of total phosphorus and Secchi depth from the chlorophyll‐a trophic state indices revealed that the lake is predominantly phosphorus limited. Furthermore, the turbidity in the northern part of the lake is dominated by suspended sediment and dissolved coloured material. Discriminant analysis resulted in identification of three distinct trophic state regions in Lake Naivasha, namely the northern region, the mid and southern part and the more or less isolated Crescent Lake. The results of this study provide a good basis for further investigation of the current loading magnitude of both nutrients and sediments, in order to facilitate sustainable management to ensure community integrity and ecosystem functions of the lake.     

Paleolimnological evidence of the effects of recent cultural eutrophication during the last 200 years in Lake Malawi,East Africa

To assess the long-term water quality changes in Lake Malawi, paleolimnological reconstructions of four radiometrically dated sediment cores collected in 1997/98 along a longitudinal transect of the lake were based on preserved diatom assemblages, as well as stratigraphies of organic carbon, total nitrogen, total phosphorus and biogenic silica concentrations. Population growth, deforestation and intensive agriculture, especially in the southern catchments, have accelerated soil erosion causing rivers to transport greater sediment and nutrient loads into Lake Malawi. Southern cores contain evidence of nutrient enrichment starting around 1940, as indicated by increased silica, carbon and nitrogen influxes. By 1980, increased rates of sedimentation, phosphorus influx, diatom influx, and relative abundances of eutrophic diatom taxa are attributable to accelerated nutrient enrichment accompanying soil erosion. The succession of diatoms in southern Lake Malawi begins with dominance by Aulacoseira nyassensis and Fragilaria africana, followed by a shift in 1980 towards Stephanodiscus, Cyclostephanos and Nitzschia, diatom taxa that have reduced silica requirements. Paleoecological results indicate that patterns of diatom assemblage change are not uniform lake-wide. Evidence of eutrophication extends to central Lake Malawi, but is not observable in the paleo-record from the deeper northern basin. The recent cultural eutrophication of the southern lake has impacted the biogeochemical cycling of silica, the available silica to phosphorus ratios, and the diatom communities of a large portion of Lake Malawi. These results provide a warning that eutrophication of this great lake is underway and will continue unless changes are made to current land use practices within the lake's catchment.     

Sediment dynamics in shallow Lake Markermeer, The Netherlands: field/laboratory surveys and first results for a 3-D suspended solids model

In 2007/08, a study was undertaken on sediment dynamics in shallow Lake Markermeer, The Netherlands. Firstly, the sediment characteristics median grain size, mud content and loss on ignition showed a spatial as well as water depth related pattern indicating wind-induced sediment transport. Sediment dynamics were investigated in a sediment trap field survey at two stations. Sediment yields, virtually all coming from sediment resuspension, were significantly correlated with wind speeds. Resuspension rates for Lake Markermeer were very high, viz. ca. 1,000 g/m(2)day as an annual average, leading to high suspended solids (SS) contents, due to the large lake area and its shallowness (high 'Dynamic Ratio'). Sediment resuspension behaviour was further investigated in preliminary laboratory experiments using a 'micro-flume', applying increasing water currents onto five Lake Markermeer sediments. Resuspension showed a clear exponential behaviour. Finally, a 3-D model was set up for water quality and SS contents in Lake Markermeer; first results showed a good agreement between modelled and actual SS contents. Construction of artificial islands and dams will reduce wind fetches and may be expected to cause a substantial decrease in lake water turbidity.