Abstract
Traunsee is the deepest (189 m) lake in Austria and has been holomictic until the beginning of industrial discharges from the alkali works in Ebensee. The input of soluble compounds such as CaCl2 and NaCl have produced meromictic conditions. The relatively high oxygen content of the monimolimnion is due to water movements promoted by the large inflow and wind-action.
The industrial discharges have caused both meromictic conditions and the deposition of highly alkaline sediment in the southern portion of the profundal zone. The effect of the discharges on the benthic fauna was evaluated by comparing the subfossil benthic fauna of four cores taken inside and outside the affected area.
The ostracod fauna resembles that of other large lakes in the Salzkammergut, but also includes groundwater species such as Kovalevskiella and Cypridopsis subterranea. Leucocythere mirabilis has been found for the first time in an Austrian lake.
Ostracods and other benthic organisms such as Testacea were not apparently influenced by the meromictic condition. They are, however, missing in all areas covered by the alkaline sludge.
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Löffler, H. Changes of the benthic fauna of the profundal zone of Traunsee (Austria) due to salt mining activities. Hydrobiologia 103, 135–139 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00028441
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00028441