Chemical and biological studies on some saline lakes of south-east Australia

Abstract

Chemical and biological data for a number of saline lakes in south-eastern South Australia and western Victoria are presented and discussed. The chemical information includes discussions on the major ionic composition of the lakes in March 1964, on the nature and extent of seasonal variations in the concentration of total dissolved solids in these lakes, and on the nature and extent of secular variations in salinity at Lake Corangamite. The biological data (almost exclusively faunal, and based mainly on a single series of collections made in March 1964) are discussed with particular reference to affinities, tolerance to high salinities, level of endemicity, uniqueness, and related topics. It is concluded that the fauna is different in many respects from that of similar habitats outside Australia.