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Effects of Turbidity in Fresh Waters of Alaska
Author(s) -
Lloyd Denby S.,
Koenings Jeffrey P.,
Laperriere Jacqueline D.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
north american journal of fisheries management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.587
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1548-8675
pISSN - 0275-5947
DOI - 10.1577/1548-8659(1987)7<18:eotifw>2.0.co;2
Subject(s) - turbidity , turbidite , environmental science , sediment , sedimentation , zooplankton , photic zone , oceanography , hydrology (agriculture) , ecology , nutrient , phytoplankton , geology , biology , geomorphology , geotechnical engineering
Turbidity results from the scattering of light in water by organic and inorganic particles; however, high turbidities usually are caused by suspended inorganic particles, particularly sediment. For several Alaskan lakes, we found that the depth to which 1% of subsurface light penetrated had a strong inverse correlation with sediment‐induced turbidity. We also developed a model that describes the decrease in primary production in shallow interior Alaskan streams caused by sediment‐induced turbidity. Euphotic volume in lakes correlated strongly with production of juvenile sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka). We also observed reduced abundance of zooplankton, macroinvertebrates, and Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus) in naturally and artificially turbid aquatic systems. Turbidity measurements correlated less consistently with measures of suspended sediment concentration (total nonfilterable residue), but provided an adequate estimator for use as a water quality standard to protect aquatic habitats.