On the Limnology and Geochemistry of Boeri Lake, Dominica, West Indies, with Observations on Two Other Subtropical Crater Lakes

摘要

The physical and chemical limnology of a small crater lake and the geochemistry of two additional lakes on the island of Dominica, West Indies were investigated. Boeri Lake, the small crater lake, has a relative depth of 18.4% providing strong morphometric evidence of meromixis. Chemical and thermal profiles, however, do not support that conclusion. An alternative hypothesis is proposed based on the porosity of the basin and the heavy rainfall in the watershed, which facilitate rapid flushing of water through the lake basin. The geochemistry of two other lakes is also reported including that of one of the few lakes in the world which is geothermally heated to the boiling point, allowing for considerable concentration of ions in the water The ionic composition of the three major lakes on Dominica covers a broad spectrum of geo-chemical influences including evaporation dominated (Boiling Lake), rock dominated (Freshwater Lake) and precipitation dominated (Boeri Lake).