Assessing Climate and Human Activity Effects on Hypersaline Lake Ecosystem: Case Study of Saki Lake, Crimea

Abstract

In the Crimean Peninsula, there are several hypersaline lakes that have hydromineral and biological resources. However, they are under a significant anthropogenic load, which together with the climate change leads to negative consequences for the ecosystems. The aim of the work was to study the seasonal changes of physicochemical parameters of water (temperature, pH, oxygen content, salinity, redox potential Eh, optical density and transparency) and Artemia population in Saki Lake in 2022. For the daily fluctuations of temperature, O2, CH4 and CO2, a vertical temperature profile measuring system was installed at the boundaries of the air, water and bottom at a depth of 4 m and with a spatial discreteness of 0.2 m. The drive sensors for the content of gases assay in the air were installed. The increase in salinity and Eh in summer was accompanied by an increase in air and water temperature. Simultaneously, decreases in oxygen content and pH in brine have been observed. Artemia cysts were found throughout the year, nauplii were mostly available during spring and autumn, and the adults were shown in summer. The obtained results demonstrated the seasonal fluctuations in the hypersaline ecosystem within the ongoing climate change, and they can be used for the development of the optimal management of the mineral and biological resources of such water bodies.