Limnology, the Study of Inland Waters: a Comment on Perceptions of Studies of Salt Lakes, Past and Present

Abstract

Perceptions of salt-lake studies held by limnologists are considered. It is noted that a commonly held modern view of limnology is that it is the study of fresh waters. It is argued that such a view is incorrect and unbalanced: because of the large number and wide distribution of salt lakes, their great scientific and economic importance, and the wide extent of studies concerning them over a period as great as that spanned by freshwater studies, salt lakes have a claim equally as valid as that of fresh waters for study by limnologists. An historical resume of the literature, largely on a continental basis, is provided in support of the argument. Limnology, it is concluded, is the study of inland waters, fresh and saline.