Biological Studies of Meromictic Lakes

Abstract

Lake Fidler and Sulphide Pool are small, dystrophic, meromictic lakes adjacent to the Gordon River in southwest Tasmania. Partitioning between upper and lower waters is distinct in both lakes, and there is a finely structured stratification of micro-organisms about a particularly abrupt redoxcline at around 3m depth in Lake Fidler and 2m in Sulphide Pool. Recent biological studies of the lakes are detailed, and the findings are discussed with reference to those from other meromictic lakes around the world.