scholarly journals Paleohydrology, Sedimentology, and Geochemistry of Two Meromictic Saline Lakes in Southern Saskatchewan

2007 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
William M. Last ◽  
Laurie A. Slezak
Keyword(s):  
Great Plains ◽  
Saline Lakes ◽  
Sediment Cores ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Northern Great Plains ◽  
Climatic Fluctuations ◽  
South Central ◽  
Basin Morphology ◽  
Organic Productivity ◽  
Inorganic Carbonate

ABSTRACT The Northern Great Plains of western Canada contain numerous saline and hypersaline lakes. Most of these lakes are shallow (< 3 m) and exhibit playa characteristics. Some, however, are relatively deep, permanent water bodies. The sediment records of these deep perennial saline lakes offer an excellent opportunity to evaluate key paleohydrologic and hydrochemical parameters. Variations in these parameters may, in turn, be interpreted with respect to climatic fluctuations in the region. Waldsea and Deadmoose lakes, located in south-central Saskatchewan, are both presently meromictic, with saline Mg-Na-SO4-CI waters overlying denser hypersaline brines of similar composition. The modern sediments of the lakes consist of a mixture of organic matter, finegrained detrital elastics (mainly clay minerals, carbonate minerals, quartz, and feldspars), and finely crystalline endogenic/authigenic precipitates (aragonite, gypsum, calcite, pyrite, and mirabilite). Variations in mineralogy and chemistry of sediment cores from the morphologically simple Waldsea basin show that the lake was much shallower and more saline about 4000 years ago. Although water levels have since generally increased in the basin giving rise to higher organic productivity and greater inorganic carbonate precipitation, there is also evidence of several hydrologie reversals during the last 2000 years. The stratigraphy preserved in nearby Deadmoose Lake is much more complex because of the irregular basin morphology. Lower water levels about 1000 years ago created several isolated but still relatively deep lakes in the Deadmoose basin.

scholarly journals Phytoplankton productivity across prairie saline lakes of the Great Plains (USA): a step toward deciphering patterns through lake classification models

2009 ◽  
Vol 66 (9) ◽  
pp. 1435-1448 ◽  
Author(s):  
Courtney R. Salm ◽  
Jasmine E. Saros ◽  
Sherilyn C. Fritz ◽  
Christopher L. Osburn ◽  
David M. Reineke
Keyword(s):  
Primary Production ◽  
Nutrient Limitation ◽  
Great Plains ◽  
Saline Lakes ◽  
Information Criterion ◽  
The United States ◽  
Northern Great Plains ◽  
Classification Models ◽  
Phytoplankton Productivity ◽  
P Limitation

We investigated patterns of primary production across prairie saline lakes in the central and northern Great Plains of the United States. Based on comparative lake sampling in 2004, seasonal predictors of algal primary productivity were identified within subsets of similar lakes using a combination of Akaike’s information criterion (AIC) and classification and regression trees (CART). These models indicated complex patterns of nutrient limitation by nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and iron (Fe) within different lake groups. Nutrient enrichment assays (control, + Fe, + N, + P, + N + P) were performed in spring and summer of 2006 to determine if phytoplankton in selected lakes followed predicted patterns of nutrient limitation. Both the comparative lake sampling and experimental results indicated that N limitation was widespread in these prairie lakes, with evidence for secondary P limitation in certain lakes. In the experiments, iron did not stimulate primary production. Our results suggest that given the diverse geochemical nature of these lakes, classification models that separate saline lakes into subsets may be an effective method for improving predictions of algal production.

Holocene eolian sand deposition linked to climatic variability, Northern Great Plains, Canada

The Holocene ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 579-593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen A Wolfe ◽  
Olav B Lian ◽  
Christopher H Hugenholtz ◽  
Justine R Riches
Keyword(s):  
Great Plains ◽  
Climatic Variability ◽  
Sediment Cores ◽  
Soil Formation ◽  
Temporal Variations ◽  
Ice Age ◽  
Northern Great Plains ◽  
Eolian Sand ◽  
Sand Accumulation ◽  
Sand Deposition

The Bigstick and Seward Sand Hills are possibly two of the oldest dune fields within the late Wisconsin glaciated regions of the Northern Great Plains. As with most Northern Great Plains dune fields, source sediments are former proglacial outwash sands. Thus, Holocene dune construction is primarily related to spatial–temporal variations in surface cover and transport capacity, rather than renewed sediment input. However, eolian landscape reconstructions on the Northern Great Plains have been temporally constrained to recent periods of activity, as older episodes of deposition are typically reworked by younger events. In this study, sediment cores from shallow lacustrine basins and interdune areas provide an improved record of Holocene eolian sand deposition. Eolian sand accumulation in the interdunes and basins occurred between 150 and 270 years ago, 1.9 and 3.0 ka, 5.4 and 8.6 ka, and prior to ca. 10.8 ka. These episodes of sand accumulation were bracketed by lacustrine deposition and soil formation, which represented wetter conditions. Other than mid-Holocene dune activity, which may be related to peak warmth and aridity, most periods of eolian sand accumulation coincided with cooler but drier climatic events such as the Younger Dryas, late-Holocene cooling prior to the Medieval Climatic Anomaly, and the ‘Little Ice Age’. These depositional episodes are also spatially represented by other dune fields in the region, providing a broad-scale view of the connections between past climatic events and eolian landscape evolution on the Northern Great Plains.

scholarly journals Impacts of Crop Variety and Time of Inoculation on the Susceptibility and Tolerance of Winter Wheat to Wheat streak mosaic virus

Plant Disease ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 98 (8) ◽  
pp. 1060-1065 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. Miller ◽  
F. Menalled ◽  
D. Ito ◽  
M. Moffet ◽  
M. Burrows
Keyword(s):  
Winter Wheat ◽  
Mosaic Virus ◽  
Great Plains ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Wheat Yield ◽  
Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus ◽  
Northern Great Plains ◽  
Yield Losses ◽  
South Central ◽  
The Impact

Plant genotype, age, size, and environmental factors can modify susceptibility and tolerance to disease. Understanding the individual and combined impacts of these factors is needed to define improved disease management strategies. In the case of Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) in winter wheat, yield losses and plant susceptibility have been found to be greatest when the crop is exposed to the virus in the fall in the central and southern Great Plains. However, the seasonal dynamics of disease risk may be different in the northern Great Plains, a region characterized by a relatively cooler fall conditions, because temperature is known to modify plant–virus interactions. In a 2-year field study conducted in south-central Montana, we compared the impact of fall and spring WSMV inoculations on the susceptibility, tolerance, yield, and grain quality of 10 winter wheat varieties. Contrary to previous studies, resistance and yields were lower in the spring than in the fall inoculation. In all, 5 to 7% of fall-inoculated wheat plants were infected with WSMV and yields were often similar to uninoculated controls. Spring inoculation resulted in 45 to 57% infection and yields that were 15 to 32% lower than controls. Although all varieties were similarly susceptible to WSMV, variations in tolerance (i.e., yield losses following exposure to the virus) were observed. These results support observations that disease risk and impacts differ across the Great Plains. Possible mechanisms include variation in climate and in the genetic composition of winter wheat and WSMV across the region.

Ponderosa Pine Provenance Test for Windbreaks in Eastern South Dakota

1985 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 105-107
Author(s):  
Peter R. Schaefer ◽  
Norman W. Baer
Keyword(s):  
South Dakota ◽  
Great Plains ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Tree Planting ◽  
Northern Great Plains ◽  
South Central ◽  
Average Survival ◽  
Provenance Test ◽  
Genetically Improved

Abstract Ponderosa pine has been planted extensively in the northern Great Plains. Many of the plantings, however, have performed poorly or failed because of poor early survival and slow growth. A regional provenance test of 73 ponderosa pine sources was established in 1968 as one means of improving the performance of this species throughout the Great Plains. Results after 15 years indicated that three sources located in north central Nebraska and south central South Dakota were taller than all other sources. The three sources exhibited a height growth 30% above the plantation mean and an average survival 20% higher than that of the plantation as a whole. These sources have also been among the tallest and best survivors in similar tests throughout the Great Plains. Juvenile-mature correlations were strong for 5-year and 15-year height growth. The identification of a relatively small area from which to collect genetically improved ponderosa pine should greatly facilitate the incorporation of these seedlings into tree-planting efforts in the northern Plains. North. J. Appl. For. 2:105-107, Dec. 1985.

Karst Topography on Stagnant Glaciers

1964 ◽  
Vol 5 (37) ◽  
pp. 107-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee Clayton
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Great Plains ◽  
Northern Great Plains ◽  
Residual Soils ◽  
South Central

Abstract Karst topography may occur on stagnant, drift-covered parts of glaciers such as the Martin River Glacier in south-central Alaska. Glacial karst features there include ice sink-holes, tunnels, caves, sinking streams, blind valleys, large springs, natural bridges, lapiés, hums, and residual “soils” or ablation till. The glacial karst cycle is essentially the same as the limestone karat cycle. Glacial karst is rare today but was widespread on stagnant glaciers in areas such as the northern Great Plains of North America in late Wisconsin time.

scholarly journals Patterns of seasonal phytoplankton distribution in prairie saline lakes of the northern Great Plains (U.S.A.)

2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Courtney R Salm ◽  
Jasmine E Saros ◽  
Callie S Martin ◽  
Jarvis M Erickson
Keyword(s):  
Great Plains ◽  
Saline Lakes ◽  
Northern Great Plains ◽  
Phytoplankton Distribution

Deposition of modern pollen and plant macroremains in a hypersaline prairie lake basin

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (5) ◽  
pp. 539-548 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. E. Vance ◽  
R. W. Mathewes
Keyword(s):  
Great Plains ◽  
Saline Lakes ◽  
Lake Level ◽  
Lacustrine Sediments ◽  
Northern Great Plains ◽  
Lake Basin ◽  
Lake Area ◽  
Plant Macroremains ◽  
Modern Pollen ◽  
Near Shore

Comparisons between current vegetation patterns and deposition of modern pollen and plant macroremains in a saline lake basin on the northern Great Plains are used to assess the value of plant remains as indicators of past local vegetation dynamics and lake-level changes. Results indicate that both modern pollen spectra and assemblages of plant macroremains reflect clearly the composition of the local vegetation, whereas plant macroremains best reflect lake size. Cactaceae pollen and seeds are confined to upland prairie deposits. Liguliflorae (Compositae) and Leguminosae pollen, Selaginella densa microspores, and Euphorbia and Cruciferae seeds are more abundant in prairie upland deposits than in shoreline or lacustrine environments. An abundance (> 50%) of Ruppia pollen distinguishes near-shore lake sediments, indicating that this taxon is a useful marker of shallow shoreline environments in saline lakes. Seeds of Chenopodiaceae, Erigeron, Cruciferae, and Cyperaceae, as well as Chara oogonia, are more abundant in near-shore lacustrine sediments than in the central lake area, suggesting that they too are indicators of shoreline proximity. These data are useful for paleobotanical reconstructions of past lake-level dynamics. Key words: saline lakes, Great Plains, pollen, paleobotany, paleohydrology, environmental reconstruction.

scholarly journals Karst Topography on Stagnant Glaciers

1964 ◽  
Vol 5 (37) ◽  
pp. 107-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee Clayton
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Great Plains ◽  
Northern Great Plains ◽  
Residual Soils ◽  
South Central

AbstractKarst topography may occur on stagnant, drift-covered parts of glaciers such as the Martin River Glacier in south-central Alaska. Glacial karst features there include ice sink-holes, tunnels, caves, sinking streams, blind valleys, large springs, natural bridges, lapiés, hums, and residual “soils” or ablation till. The glacial karst cycle is essentially the same as the limestone karat cycle. Glacial karst is rare today but was widespread on stagnant glaciers in areas such as the northern Great Plains of North America in late Wisconsin time.

Tamarisk (Tamarixspp.) Establishment in its Most Northern Range

2011 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik A. Lehnhoff ◽  
Fabian D. Menalled ◽  
Lisa J. Rew
Keyword(s):  
Great Plains ◽  
Storage Time ◽  
Storage Period ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Regulated River ◽  
Northern Great Plains ◽  
Riparian Areas ◽  
Greenhouse Study ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Hydrologic Conditions

AbstractTamarisk, a shrub or small tree native to Eurasia, was introduced to North America in the early 1800s and is now naturalized throughout many riparian areas of the southwestern United States, where extensive research has been conducted. It is a more recent invader to the northern Great Plains, and fewer studies have been conducted on tamarisk ecology and management in this area. The objectives of this research were to investigate the overwintering potential of tamarisk seeds in Montana and the relationship between hydrologic conditions and historic tamarisk establishment. Emergence of seedlings from seeds stored for different time periods at a range of temperatures was evaluated in a greenhouse study. Emergence rates declined after a 7-d storage period, but storage time had no effect on subsequent emergence rates, and seeds stored at −14 C and 5 C had greater emergence rates than those stored at 20 C and 35 C. Patterns in tamarisk establishment were assessed through age and hydrologic data collected from a reservoir (Fort Peck), a regulated river (Bighorn), and an unregulated river (Yellowstone) in Montana. These data indicated that tamarisk establishment at the reservoir was closely related to historic water levels, whereas establishment on rivers was not related to flow. However, data from the rivers indicated that recruitment differed between regulated and unregulated rivers, with the regulated river having less recruitment after the period of initial colonization than the unregulated river. Our results show that tamarisk seeds have the ability to overwinter in Montana and can establish under a range of flow conditions, indicating potential recolonization of sites after tamarisk removal.

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