Chemistry of salt lakes and other water of the sub-humid regions of Tasmania

Abstract

Analyses are presented of major chemical features of pans and lagoons in the sub-humid regions of Tasmania. The waters sampled are classed as fresh or saline, using a criterion which is a function of relative ionic composition. Saline waters are regarded as having ionic composition limited by the solubility of alkaline earth carbonates, and they have a composition akin to that of seawater. The fauna of salt pans is briefly mentioned. These analyses complete a survey of Tasmanian surface waters, and some relationships between ionic concentrations and other chemical parameters are reassessed for the entire salinity range (<10 ppm to > 200‰) of Tasmanian inland waters.