Geography 2010A/B Study Guide - Quiz Guide: Biogeochemical Cycle
29 Aug 2018
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Inflows and water balance changes are the primary controls over water quality in ponds, beyond normal background factors such as bedrock and chemical weathering. The variable, but usually small water volume in ponds often means that water chemistry in the pond is subject to substantial changes during major inflows. Hence, snowmelt or a large rainfall event can completely change the chemistry of a pond in hours to days. Evaporation can substantially enrich the concentration of solutes and nutrients in ponds. Given that ponds will evaporatively enrich as the water balance becomes negative: as further evaporation continues, the concentrations can increase in a non- linear way. Small differences in volume and surface area between adjacent ponds can result in substantial differences in water chemistry and nutrient load. Essentially represent a shallower or more ephemeral water balance than pond systems. Typically, very shallow depths result in complete freeze conditions in winter.
