A Test of Lead-210 Dating for the Measurement of Whole Lake Soft Sediment Accumulation

Abstract

We have tested the hypothesis that variation in accumulation of soft sediments over a lake bottom is related to the lake morphometry, allowing an accurate measurement of whole lake sediment accumulation. In each of two Laurentian Shield lakes in southern Ontario, sediment accumulation was measured at ~20 locations. In both there was a statistically significant linear relationship between soft sediment accumulation and the water depth at the sample locations. The relationship explained 72 and 57% of sediment accumulation variation in Costello and Red Chalk lakes, respectively. Using these relationships, it was possible to calculate the whole lake sediment accumulation rate for each lake. The results indicate that, in general, there is a linear variation in sediment accumulation as a function of depth in small Shield lakes. This study points out the need for a closer examination of sediment movement and accumulation in the shallow regions of lakes.