Indicators for Climate Change Impacts - Lakes in temperate ecoregions, Shallow lakes
Aluminium
| Stressor type | Temperature |
|---|---|
| Responding parameter group | Physico-chemical parameters |
| Responding parameter | Aluminium |
Response description
Increasing temperature leads to a decrease of total Al and Al3+ concentrations in lakes. The inverse relationship between temperature and solubility results in lower mobilisation and/or enhanced precipitation.
Secondary effects
Decreased Al levels might benefit recovery process and mitigate fish extinction during acid peaks in spring melt.
Specification of relevant ecosystem type
Limited to lakes with silicious catchments prone to acidification (few mountain ranges in temperate European regions)
Relevant ecoregion(s) according to Illies
Carpathian (10), Western and Central Mountains (8 and 9)
Suggested indicator
Acidity indicators such as Al, H+
Justification of indicator
These parameters are easy to record and often incorporated into routine water chemistry monitoring.
Reference(s)
Vesel, J., V. Majer, J. Kopácek, S.A. Norton (2003): Increasing temperature decreases aluminum concentrations in Central European lakes recovering from acidification. Limnology and Ocenaography 48(6): 2346-2354.
