Yellowknife area, Northwest Territories, Canada

Dataset code YEL

Research area
Longitude
-113.40° to -108.29°
Latitude
62.47° to 65.27°
Publication
  • 1997, Pienitz, R., Smol, J.P. and Lean, D.R.S.
Main publication summary

Pienitz, R., Smol, J.P. and Lean, D.R.S. 1997. Physical and chemical limnology of 24 lakes located between Yellowknife and Contwoyto Lake, Northwest Territories (Canada). Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 54 :347-358

Data on the water chemistry and limnology of 24 lakes located between Yellowknife (628279N, 1148219W) and Contwoyto Lake (658309N, 1108009W) in the central Northwest Territories were examined using principal components analysis and other statistical techniques. The study sites were mostly shallow (Zmax = 2.5–25 m; mean = 8.2 m), nutrient-poor (3.4–12.7 mg total phosphorus/L; mean = 6.6 mg × L–1), low-alkalinity lakes. Water was typically low in solutes (specific conductance near 0–100 mS × cm–1), with slightly acidic to alkaline pH (6.2–8.9). Levels of all nutrients and major ions showed identical trends of decreasing concentrations with increasing latitude, with the highest concentrations generally in lakes with conifer-forested catchments in the south.
Average Maximum Minimum N (samples)
PN ug/L 67.75 104 29 24
POC ug/L 552.29 1080 354 24
POC:PN 8.91 18.21 3.79 24
SiO2 mg/L 0.32 0.92 0.08 24
SO4 mg/L 1.02 2.30 0.30 24
SRP-U ug/L 0.63 1.30 0.40 24
TEMP °C 10.90 14.50 7.50 24
TKN-U ug/L 180.96 371 32 24
TN ug/L 261.71 478 135 24
TN:TP 42.38 70.59 17.53 24
TP-F ug/L 4.51 9.20 1.80 24
TP-U ug/L 6.60 12.70 3.40 24
TRANS m 3.95 7.50 2 24
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