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LONG-TERM WATER QUALITY TRENDS IN TEMPERATE LAGOON-TYPE LAKE: A CASE STUDY OF LAKE LIEPAJA
Abstract
Lake Liepaja, a shallow lagoon-type lake located in the temperate climate zone, is affected by persistent ecological pressures, including nutrient enrichment, sediment contamination, and climate variability. This study presents an overview of long-term water quality dynamics based on monitoring data from the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (2001-2023), interpreting key physical and chemical indicators as evidence of broader ecological trends. Multi-year records of physicochemical parameters were analyzed using Mann-Kendall trend analysis for monotonic trends and Sen-s slope estimator to quantify change rates. Results show consistent nutrient loading, with average phosphorus at 0.0639 mg/L and nitrogen at 1.29 mg/L, indicating a shift from mesotrophic to eutrophic conditions. Chlorophyll-a exhibited an increasing trend, peaking at 76 -g/L, reflecting intensified algal blooms. Water transparency (Secchi depth) and dissolved oxygen remained satisfactory, averaging 0.89 m and 9.27 mg/L, respectively. Seasonal suspended solids peaked at 49.0 mg/L. Localized heavy metal contamination included zinc (max 19.28 -g/L) and cadmium (mean 0.118 -g/L). Sediment analysis identified pollutants such as aldrin (up to 0.52 -g/kg) and arsenic (up to 1.39 mg/kg), indicating potential ecological risks. While some parameters (e.g., dissolved oxygen, temperature) remained stable, the lake showed high sensitivity to anthropogenic pressure and climate variability typical of temperate lagoon systems. These findings provide critical insights for the sustainable management of lagoon-type lakes in temperate regions, emphasizing the necessity of long-term ecological monitoring and mitigation strategies.
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