Physicochemical differences between lagoons of King anf Flinders Island, Bass Strait

Abstract

In 24 samples of coastal lagoons from the Bass Strait islands, sodium and chloride were the dominant ions, indicating a marine origin for the waters. The extent of geochemical influence varied locally, as did the optical properties. Gilvin values for some lagoons were amongst the highest known for natural waters. Total phosphate concentrations were variable, with some lagoons being highly eutrophic. With one exception, the Flinders Island samples were considerably more saline than those from King Island. A principal coordinates analysis differentiated samples from the two islands, although in the space defined by the first two coordinate axes there was a continuous variation between lagoons.