Document Type
Report
Publication Date
8-15-2023
Journal Article Version
Accepted Manuscript
Keywords
algae, eutrophication, phytoplankton, primary production, periphyton, remote sensing, satellite, saline, lake, oxygen, respiration, desiccation
First Page
1
Last Page
49
Abstract
Great Salt Lake (GSL) is the largest saline lake in the western hemisphere. Despite this, relatively little is known regarding ecological functioning within the lake, including detailed assessments of rates of primary productivity and ecosystem productivity. Analyses of primary production in GSL are complicated by the high heterogeneity of the system, including a broad salinity gradient from near-fresh conditions at the river confluences in Farmington and Bear River Bays to the hyper-saline conditions of the lake’s northwest arm (Gunnison Bay). Further complicating estimates of primary productivity is the possibility of high rates of benthic primary production (by benthic algae and submerged macrophytes) in shallow lake areas, whereas most prior reports have focused solely on planktonic algae (phytoplankton) dynamics. To inform estimates of primary production, we measured the metabolic rates of GSL from summer 2020 to fall 2021, and though a multi-tiered approach we derived mean total productivity estimates for these two full years. Severe desiccation in GSL resulted in record-low water levels during the second year of this study (2021), limiting observations during that time and underscoring the timely and critical importance of assessing the productivity of this vital ecosystem. Low lake levels exposed lakebed sediments and monitoring equipment in shallow bay sites (Bear River Bay and Farmington Bay). Measurements in these shallow bays and boat access to the lake through the primary south end marina was therefore restricted during these periods of low water levels, reducing our ability to carry out more frequent planned off-shore sampling campaigns. We here report the conclusions from these data and analyses.
Recommended Citation
Brothers, Soren, Cobo, Melissa, Ramsey, R. Douglas, Wurtsbaugh, Wayne A., and Rivers, Erin. "A Multi-Tiered Assessment of Primary Production in Great Salt Lake." (2023)
