Lake development in the boreal peatlands of southeastern Labrador, Canada

Aerial and ground observations of the peatlands of southeastern Labrador reveal shallow circular lakes that apparently formed by the coalescence of fen pools and small lake basins through the degradation of intervening peat deposits. Geomorphic evidence suggests that lake development proceeds throug...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Arctic and alpine research 1984-11, Vol.16 (4), p.447-452
Main Author: Engstrom, D.R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bogs
Fens
Freshwater
LAC
LAGOS
LAKES
Lakeshores
LIMNOLOGIA
LIMNOLOGIE
LIMNOLOGY
Peat
PEATLANDS
Shorelines
Till plains
Watersheds
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Summary:Aerial and ground observations of the peatlands of southeastern Labrador reveal shallow circular lakes that apparently formed by the coalescence of fen pools and small lake basins through the degradation of intervening peat deposits. Geomorphic evidence suggests that lake development proceeds through three stages: (1) initial deepening and enlargement of pools through peat decomposition, (2) shoreline stabilization by ice-ramparts, and (3) formation of compound lakes through the fusion of adjacent basins. This process is not dependent on permafrost, which is absent from the region. The water chemistry of these peatland lakes is very similar to that found in nearby bedrock-controlled basins except that total phosphorus, iron, and apparent color are significantly higher in the former.
ISSN:0004-0851
2325-5153
DOI:10.1080/00040851.1984.12004436