Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Conference papers
URL http://www.imwa.info/imwaconferencesandcongresses/proceedings/298-proceedings-2016.html
Title (Primary) On the relevance of meromixis in pit lakes – an update
Title (Secondary) Mining meets water - conflicts and solutions : proceedings : IMWA 2016 in Leipzig, Germany, July 11-15, 2016. 2., überarbeitete und ergänzte Auflage
Author Schultze, M.; Castendyk, D.; Wendt-Potthoff, K. ORCID logo ; Sánchez-España, J.; Boehrer, B.
Publisher Drebenstedt, C.; Paul, M.
Year 2016
Department SEEFO
Page From 227
Page To 235
Language englisch
Keywords pit lake; meromixis; management; modeling
UFZ wide themes RU2;
Abstract The term “meromixis” means that a lake contains a chemically different, deep water layer due to
incomplete mixing over the year. Ten years ago, Boehrer and Schultze (2006) discussed the relevance
of meromixis for pit lakes. More than 100 papers have been published on meromixis in pit lakes since
2006, suggesting an update.
Newly published papers have dealt with the interaction of underground workings and ground-water
within meromictic pit lakes, double diffusion and erosion of the chemocline, climatic influences on
meromixis, biogeochemical processes and microbial ecology in the water column and sediments, and
predictive modelling. Results of the monitoring of meromictic pit lakes improved the understanding of
processes and allowed in some cases to prove results of earlier modeling. Experiences with the
management of meromictic pit lakes were also published.
Meromixis is not the common mixing regime in pit lakes. However, meromixis seems to occur more
frequently in pit lakes than in natural lakes due to the shape of the basin of pit lakes and the occurrence
of chemically different waters in the catchment of many pit lakes. Therefore, and because of the
particular chances and risks related to meromixis, it is of particular relevance in pit lakes. Based on the
findings of the last ten years, predictive modeling of future pit lakes and the management of existing
meromictic pit lakes can be made much better today.
This contribution gives a brief introduction to the phenomenon of meromixis in pit lakes, summarizes
the findings from the last ten years and draws conclusions regarding the management and predictive
modeling of meromixis in pit lakes.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=18333
Schultze, M., Castendyk, D., Wendt-Potthoff, K., Sánchez-España, J., Boehrer, B. (2016):
On the relevance of meromixis in pit lakes – an update
In: Drebenstedt, C., Paul, M. (eds.)
Mining meets water - conflicts and solutions : proceedings : IMWA 2016 in Leipzig, Germany, July 11-15, 2016. 2., überarbeitete und ergänzte Auflage
TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Freiberg, 227 - 235