Geochemistry of a meromictic brine lake

Abstract

A meromictic lake on the island of Gran Roque, Venezuela, is both thermally and chemically stratified. The density stratification is largely chlorine-controlled, but concentration of major cations is more variable. A statistical evaluation of chemical analyses serves to indicate that differences in concentration between a central depression and a seaward one suggest seepage of seawater into the latter. Additional cations are supplied by drainage, albeit small, from nearby hills composed of basic intrusives.