Alkaline Lake System in Danube and Tisza Interfluve (Szeged, Hu) – Climate Change and Landscape Degradation

Abstract

Sodic areas can be found in every continent. The main condition of the salt accumulation in sodic soils is the near-surface groundwater. There is a serious environmental problem in the Danube-Tisza Interfluve which threatens the natural alkaline lakes and sodic areas with landscape destruction. The aim of this study is to collect information about the seasonal geochemical cycles in the sediments of Lake Fehér. Based on the results of this research, the protection of the similar alkaline wetlands could be more effective. The study area was an alkaline lake system sorrounded by sodic areas called Lake Fehér by Szeged. The investigation was carried out in three periods based on the seasonal distribution of precipitation. There were eight sampling dates on the same site during one meteorological year. For the short-term monitoring, the type of the soil, the particle content, the pH and the EC were investigated. The groundwater and precipitation data of the last century were used for the long-term observation. The results show that the precipitation decreased in the southern part of the Danube-Tisza Interfluve in the last 100 years. Along with the decreasing precipitation, the groundwater level has been sinking. Knowing the dynamics of the area, the problem could be managed; otherwise, the ecosystems of the alkaline lakes will vanish.