Spatio-Temporal Variations in the Geochemistry of Laguna Salada de Chiprana, NE Spain

Hypersaline lakes are sensitive and increasingly threatened ecological depositional environments that host to a diverse spectrum of industrial services, natural resources, environmental processes. Furthermore, they also important repositories high-resolution palaeoenvironmental information potentially key archives in the reconstruction environmental, climatic conditions past human impacts areas where other such may not be available. Many saline by increased farming irrigation practices effects global warming. Geochemical XRF analyses transect sediment cores from Laguna Salada de Chiprana, permanent hypersaline lake Iberian Peninsula, provide insights into geochemical processes changes occurring at site throughout last 300–400 years. Key identified within sequence defined both spatial temporal aspect characterise profundal littoral sub-environments lake. Initially, onset phase widespread agriculture region occurred late 16–17th century ~1850AD was associated with relative increases levels. This followed decreasing levels between 1850 1950AD, likely increasing evaporative decreased returns lake, which allowed for organic productivity setting. have been transition wetland-type setting, biological were able flourish shallower central depocentres In sequence, introduction farm machinery changing patterns around 1950, causing small levels, colonization charophytes as well due establishment suitable occur margins when water rose. From this period present day, slow drawdown has coupled management regional government, leading several phenomena. Evaporative high lake; there falling but highly variable is segmentation productivity, whereby permit setting decrease harsh evaporitic erosive area. The reveals sensitivity Lake Chiprana an archive illustrates need utilise multiple accurate reconstructions strong variability sub-environments.