Geochemical, mineralogical and isotopic investigation of Inle Lake (Southern Shan State, Myanmar): preliminary results.

This paper reports some preliminary results obtained on waters and sediments from the Inle Lake. Carbonate equilibria dominate the lake water hydrochemistry. During the summer season, strong evaporation affects the water body, coupled to intense photosynthetic activity. These processes favour authigenic carbonate precipitation, as indicated by the high calcite content detected in the lake sediments. Isotopes of the water molecule indicate a residence time shorter than one year. The short residence time and calcite precipitation likely prevent the accumulation of anthropogenic contaminants and nutrients within the lake.