The potential of Lake Ohrid for long-term palaeoenvironmental reconstructions

Lake Ohrid, at the Macedonian/Albanian border, was likely tectonically formed during the Tertiary and therefore is one of the oldest lakes in Europe. However, only a few studies exist concerning the potential of Lake Ohrid sediments for long-term palaeoenvironmental reconstructions within the scope of future potential deep-drilling campaigns. Therefore, as a first step, a transect of short surface sediment cores was investigated for chronology, physical properties, grain size, and biogeochemistry. The results were compared with information derived from a shallow hydro-acoustic seismic survey. The investigations indicate a rather uniform and bioturbated sedimentation in the central part of the lake basin with mean sedimentation rates of ca. 0.5–1 mm/year. The sediment composition is dominated by authigenetic carbonates. Diatom frustules or fragments form the major part of biogenic matter deposits, as indicated by the relatively high contents of biogenic opal and low contents of total organic carbon and total nitrogen. The shallow hydro-acoustic seismic survey indicates that horizons of sediment redeposition occur sporadically. Towards the shore of the lake, the sedimentation rate increases and sedimentation is increasingly influenced by local inflows or mass-movement processes triggered by tectonic activities. Thus Lake Ohrid has a high potential for palaeoenvironmental reconstructions on a multi-decadal scale and provides additional information concerning tectonic activity in the region.