Marl deposits - Understanding Lake Data

Back to Cover/Index...Page1/2 , Next

If the amount of carbonate (CO3--) is high enough, it will react with calcium in the water to form CaCO3 (marl). Marl precipitates out, leaving a white substance in the sediment-sometimes even producing elaborate underwater formations. Marl can often be observed as a white precipitate on plant leaves in hard water lakes. Plants speed up marl deposition by using carbon dioxide (CO2), which raises the pH and converts most alkalinity to the carbonate (CO3--) form. By precipitating phosphorus, marl formations help control algae growth in marl lakes.

Back to Cover/Index...Page1/2 , Next

For more information on this topic, contact:

James Vennie
Watershed Management
(608) 266-2212


Lakes Partnership | Watershed Management | Fish Wisconsin | Fisheries Management

Last Revised: Thursday January 25 2007