松辽盆地晚白垩世介形类古生态学

通过化石组合和岩性指标分析松辽盆地上白垩统自下而上青山口组—姚家组—嫩江组一段介形类的古生态学。青山口组盐度具有偏咸性、微咸性到半咸性的变化,32个介形类种以栖居于温暖湿润气候带的浅湖微咸水类型占绝对优势,水体清澈安静,有机质丰富,底质为泥等细粒沉积物(个别的为粉砂沉积物),宜于介形类动物群生长且有利于壳体完好保存;其次为生活于半咸水的深湖—半深湖类型,底质为泥。姚家组—嫩江组一段见23个介形类种,栖居于温暖半湿润气候带,以半咸水的深湖、半深湖—浅湖区的类型为主,多泥底,偶见粉砂质底;其次为微咸水的浅湖—三角洲前缘型,泥或粉砂质底;仅3个种生活于温暖湿润的粉砂质底淡水浅湖区。温暖湿润的淡水三角洲分流平原带则难以产出介形类化石。     

Marine saline ponds as sedimentary archives of late Holocene climate and sea-level variation along a carbonate platform margin: Lee Stocking Island, Bahamas

A 1500-year, late Holocene history of coastal and lacustrine carbonate sedimentation is preserved in shallow ponds on Lee Stocking Island, Exuma Cays, Bahamas. Details of environmental change have been extracted by integrating lithostratigraphy, biostratigraphy (macrobiota, foraminifers, ostracodes), and chemical stratigraphy (C, O isotopes of foraminiferal and molluscan skeletal carbonate; MgO wt% of ostracode calcite) with a well defined ¹⁴C AMS radiocarbon chronology. Carbonate deposition began within physically restricted, euryhaline coastal embayments, with several pronounced changes in salinity defined by biotic and calculated salinity variation (from MgO wt% in shells of Cyprideis americana). By about 700–740 yr B.P., embayment closure occurred possibly related to changed longshore deposition associated with sea level rise and/or regional change in climate (previously documented). With closure, the initial euryhaline foraminifer assemblage was replaced by a predominant hypersaline biofacies (e.g., Triloculina sp.); with progressive basin fill, ostracode assemblages, calculated salinities, and variation in abundance of the gastropod Cerithidea sp. may resolve higher-order (and some extreme) salinity fluctuations throughout the remaining history of saline pond development. Foraminiferal isotope stratigraphy is compatible with that expected for hydrologically closed lake basins. Carbonate accumulation was effectively shut-down <200 years ago, replaced by stromatolitic growth. Present-day salinities vary according to water balance governed by rainfall and evaporation. A centuries-scale (300–400 year) flux of abraded (reworked), marine-derived bioclasts, admixed with skeletal remains of indigenous biota, is also preserved in these ponds. Allochthonous sediment was transported by hurricane storm surges or related to abrupt transgressive events superimposed on an overall gradual rise in global sea level. We discuss evidence for both as controls on sedimentation. Our study illustrates that saline ponds on Bahamian islands are excellent sedimentary archives of local, regional, and possibly global paleoclimatic events of late Holocene age.     

Numerical modeling of vertical stratification of Lake Shira in summer

A one-dimensional numerical model and a two-dimensional numerical model of the hydrodynamic and thermal structure of Lake Shira during summer have been developed, with several original physical and numerical features. These models are well suited to simulate the formation and dynamics of vertical stratification and provide a basis for an ecological water-quality model of the lake. They allow for the quantification of the vertical mixing processes that govern not only the thermal structure but also the nutrient exchange, and more generally, the exchange of dissolved and particulate matter between different parts of the lake. The outcome of the calculations has been compared with the field data on vertical temperature and salinity distributions in Lake Shira. Lake Shira is meromictic and exhibits very stable annual stratification. The stratification is so stable because of the high salinity of the water. If the water in Lake Shira were fresh and other parameters (depth, volume, and meteorology) were the same, as now, the lake would be mixed in autumn. Using the newly developed models and using common meteorological parameters, we conclude that Lake Shira will remain stratified in autumn as long as the average salinity is higher than 3‰.     

Palaeoenvironments of the Buia Homo site: High-resolution facies analysis and non-marine sequence stratigraphy in the Alat formation (Pleistocene Dandiero Basin, Danakil depression, Eritrea)

The Early to Middle Pleistocene Dandiero rift basin is located near the Buia village, 110 km south of Massawa (Eritrea), and is filled by about 1000 m of continental deposits bearing 1 My erectus-like human remains. The basin fill consists of six formations (from bottom up): Bukra sand and gravels (fluvial), Alat formation (fluvio-lacustrine), Wara sand and gravel (fluvial), Goreya formation (lacustrine), Aro sand (fluvio-deltaic) and Addai fanglomerate (alluvial fan). This paper is focused on the Homo-bearing deposits of the Alat formation. The Alat formation records several episodes of changing accommodation space, with repeated shifts from fluvial to lacustrine conditions. The first episode points to rapid lake formation followed by a progressive shallowing. The second episode records fluvial aggradation above a sequence boundary, followed by the development and progressive infill of a second lake. The third episode points to a rapid lake formation followed by deposition of deltaic and fluvial sediments. The last episode is characterised by fluvial deposition under low-accommodation conditions. The development of the lacustrine environments was probably controlled by tectonics, in accordance with its formation during regionally dry climatic conditions, although minor shifts toward wetter conditions cannot be excluded. Human remains occur in the upper Alat formation, where the transition from a deltaic to alluvial setting is characterised by high frequency, potentially millennial-scale, lake-level oscillations. The palaeoanthropological record in the Buia area seems to be correlated with water availability (lacustrine coastal plains and floodplains) in a relatively open and grassy environment (grassland- and savannah-dominated). The increase in fluvial discharge that occurred at the top of the Alat formation led to erosion and winnowing of the underlying fossil-bearing, fluvio-deltaic deposits. A large number of bones and artefacts were consequently accumulated at the base of channel fills, which represent a preferential horizon for fossil searching.     

Some generalizations based on stratification and vertical mixing in meromictic Lake Shira,Russia, in the period 2002–2009

In a brackish, temperate, 24-m-deep Lake Shira, the profiles of salinity, temperature, oxygen and sulfide concentrations were measured on a seasonal basis from 2002 to 2009. The lake was shown to be meromictic with autumnal overturn restricted to mixolimnion. The depth of mixolimnion and position of oxic–anoxic interface varied annually. The spring mixing processes contribute to the formation of mixolimnion in autumn. The exceptionally windy spring of 2007 caused the deepening of mixolimnion in the winter of 2008. The winter position of oxic–anoxic interface was affected by the position of lower boundary of mixolimnion in all winters. The salinity in the winter mixolimnion increased compared with the autumn because of freezing out of salts from the upper water layers meters during ice formation and their dissolution in water below. The profiles of salinity and temperature were simulated by the mathematical 1-D model of temperature and salinity conditions taking into account ice formation. The simulated profiles generally coincided with the measured ones. The coincidence implies that simplified one-dimensional model can be applied to roughly describe salinity and density profiles and mixing behavior of Lake Shira.     

Paléoécologie des associations d'ostracodes d'une formation carbonatée à Rudistes en environnement péri-deltaïque: l'exemple du Santonien de la Cadière d'Azur (Sud-Est France)

Paleoecological studies carried out in the Carbonate bank with Rudists of La Cadière d'Azur (Southeast France) and adjacent perideltaic areas have been made in order to define some stages during the evolution of the formation. For each period, type of ostracode assemblage can be proposed. This is undertaken by analysis using both a more precised systematics and especially quantitative methodology, particularly the factorial analysis of correspondances. One purpose of this study is to justify the paleoecological interpretations and moreover to conclude on the autecology of ostracode species. Lastly, it is suggested that carbonate rate (i.e. water content in calcium), turbulence of sea-waters (influencing the grain-size of terrigenous deposits) and perhaps depth are locally important controlling factors of ostracode diversity.     

Spatial heterogeneity of the population age structure of the ostracode Limnocythere inopinata in Hulun Lake, Inner Mongolia and its implications

Most existing studies of lacustrine ostracodes have been focused on species composition, and little attention has been paid to population structure. In this study, 39 surface-sediment samples from Hulun Lake, Inner Mongolia, were analyzed for ostracode species composition and 17 of them also for population structure of Limnocythere inopinata, which is the dominant ostracode in the lake. A total of nine ostracode species were recovered, most of which show high abundances at sites with rich plant detritus, implying the possible control of food supply on ostracode species occurrence in the lake. On the other hand, both the subfossil and the living populations of L. inopinata have greater numbers of early instars in deeper waters, while middle and late instars occur mostly in shallower waters, which is related to the grainsize composition of the substrate, denoting a hydraulic control on population structure. Pre- and post-mortem transport of ostracodes may be responsible for the observed within-lake changes in the population structure, although other factors such as migration, intrinsic population dynamics, and life cycle could also be involved. Our data provide insights into the interpretation of lake conditions when using ostracodes in paleolimnological research of lakes with similar natural settings.     

Biological effects of salinity gradient reversals in a southeast African estuarine lake

St Lucia Lake on the north coast of Natal, South Africa, has an area of 325 km² and is the largest estuarine complex in Africa. It consists of a 20 km tidal channel, averagingca. 400 m in width, linking the sea with the non-tidal lake which is H-shaped with a maximum length ofca. 40 km and width ofca. 20 km. Except during flood periods the depth of the lake does not exceed 2 m. The salinity gradient depends on evaporation, the configuration of the mouth and on the input of fresh water from four rivers which discharge into the northern and western areas of the lake. If fresh water input is high, the lake and much of the channel may be fresh. An intermediate stage features a normal salinity gradient while a third stage shows a reversed salinity gradient with salinities in excess of 100‰ in the upper reaches of the system. Changing salinities have marked effects on the biota. Aquatic macrophytes show cycles of appearance and disappearance depending on salinity tolerance and the presence of dormant stages. The resident benthic faunal species go through cycles of range expansion and contraction depending on prevailing salinities and recolonisation by dispersal phases. To date salinities in the southern part of the lake have approached, but not exceeded, lethal levels and this has therefore acted as a reservoir area. Catchment degradation and water abstraction are anticipated to exacerbate future salinity extremes. This has resulted in concern for the long term viability of this Ramsar site which has major southern African populations of hippopotamus and crocodile, provides breeding sites for South African Red Data water bird species and plays an important nursery role for marine fish and penaeid prawns.     

Effects of salinity and waterlogging on the vegetation of Lake Toolibin,Western Australia

Increased rates of tree senescence and mortality in and adjacent to an ephemeral lake in the Western Australian wheatbelt have been attributed to increased levels of soil salinity and inundation following agricultural clearing. Winter lake salinities approximate freshwater lake values, but during periods when the lake is dry, capillary rise of groundwater is thought to increase surface soil salinity. An undescribed species of Melaleuca and Casuarina obesa dominated the seasonally inundated regions of the lake bed. Aeolian deposits of higher elevation were dominated by Eucalyptus loxophleba, Allocasuarina huegeliana or species of Banksia. Woodland of E. oleosa var. longicornis and E. salmonophloia occurred predominantly on upland fluviatile deposits of sand and sandy clays. Measurements of soil salinity and the calculation of percentage inundation from tree elevations and observations of tree vigour and xylem pressure potential response indicated that tree deaths in Melaleuca sp. and C. obesa were due to increased levels of salinity. Deaths and low vigours in E. rudis were attributed to both increasing salinities and prolonged inundation. We believe control of ground water levels should be a major consideration in the preservation of this ephemeral lake and the water fowl populations it supports.     

Recent environmental change in North African wetland lakes: diatom and other stratigraphic evidence from nine sites in the CASSARINA Project

All nine wetland lakes in the CASSARINA North African suite of sample sites have been disturbed strongly by human activity during the 20th century. Dated lake sediment core were used to provide evidence of the extent of recent environmental change at each site. Sedimentary diatoms at seven sites were useful for inferring salinity change trends during the last century. At two sites preservation problems severely degraded the sedimentary diatom record. Sediment core integrity was otherwise established.Lithostratigraphic measurements indicated some site specific changes in soil erosion and sediment composition but, for the Egyptian Delta lakes, no physical signal synchronous with Aswan High Dam construction was found. Sedimentary diatom assemblages were generally site characteristic and halophilous taxa were common. At two sites planktonic diatoms indicated some recent eutrophication but generally the assemblages were more indicative of salinity changes. Diatom-inferred salinity trends for the seven sites typically indicated that reductions in water salinity occurred sometime during the early or mid 20th century.Rather than climate, hydrological modification of water resources is implicated as the primary driver of salinity changes during most of the 20th century. In the western North African region these modifications were mainly local land drainage and water diversion programmes to alleviate winter flooding and/or promote summer water availability. In the Delta region, the Nile has been intensively exploited since antiquity and intensively so from the late 19th century to release more fresh water for agriculture. Here, diatom records indicate that freshening began well before the Aswan High Dam but salinity fluctuations have tended to diminish during the latter part of the 20th century. A small reversal in the water freshening trend in the 1980/90s was possibly a response to land subsidence/sea-level change or to reduced freshwater supply.Freshwater supply to the sites is generally diminishing as former freshwater surpluses switch to deficit. One site (Merja Bokka, Morocco) became completely dry in 1998 as agriculture encroached and Megene Chitane, the only acid lake in Tunisia, is currently affected by excessive inflow abstraction. At the beginning of the 21st century, eight of the nine CASSARINA sites persist as viable but modified aquatic ecosystems. They nevertheless continue to support valuable aquatic biodiversity, especially in the Delta sites and in Chitane. The modern diatom communities are clearly tolerant of considerable environmental change but the remaining sites are increasingly threatened by major hydrological disturbance. Base-line floristic data for the late 20th century are given but continuous biomonitoring combined with effective management is needed urgently to help conserve North Africa's diminishing natural wetland lake resources.     

Paleolimnology of mid-elevation lakes in the Kenya Rift Valley

Three small lakes of the Kenya Highlands have been subject to intermittent paleoenvironmental investigation for more than 50 years. In this report, the stratigraphic, core-based history of Lake Naivasha (elev. 1 890 m) is extended backward to 20 000 B.P. and is related to less complete 30 000-year core stratigraphies from nearby lakes Nakuru and Elmenteita. The paleolimnological reconstructions, primarily diatom-based, include geochemical parameters and the first ostracode stratigraphies from tropical Africa. The analyses from all three lakes converge on a history of low and fluctuating water levels over approximately the past 4 500 years, preceded by a major Holocene high stand (ca. 10 000-6 000 B.P.) and a brief earlier rise centered on 12 500 B.P. The lakes were mostly very low during the late Pleistocene (13 000–30 000 B.P.), though modestly elevated levels may have occurred early in this time period. The ostracode record, comprising at least 15 species, was relatively continuous in the Nakuru core but was restricted to sharply demarcated regions in cores from the other lakes.     

The contribution of leaching to nutrient release from leaf litter of two emergent tree species in a Malaysian tropical peat swamp forest

Ostracode faunas changed in Lake Bonneville as the lake rose in the closed basin and became more dilute, then overflowed, and eventually returned to closed-basin hydrology; alkalinity (carbonate + bicarbonate) increased throughout the lake history. Fossil-ostracode faunas in marl deposited in the lake between about 30 and 13 cal ka allow reconstruction of these geochemical changes (as shown by R. M. Forester), and permit stratigraphic correlations within the large lake basin, including into the Sevier subbasin, which was connected to the main body of the lake but had different inflowing rivers. The first ostracode to appear in Lake Bonneville deposits at low altitudes is Limnocythere staplini; it was replaced by L. ceriotuberosa as the lake got larger and the water became more dilute and alkaline. Candona adunca and several species of Fabaeformiscandona mark the freshest-water phases. Cytherissa lacustris appeared in lake-margin settings after lake level dropped and cold, fresh groundwater began to discharge into the lake. Candona sp. cf. eriensis lived in the Sevier subbasin during the transgressive phase of the lake, but did not appear in the main body until late in the regressive phase. Limnocythere sappaensis, which requires high alkalinity, showed up late in the regressive phase in the main body when lake level was very low.     

Ephemeral saline lakes on the Canadian prairies: their classification and management for emergent macrophyte growth

At two ephemeral saline lakes in Saskatchewan, changes in the physical and chemical features of water and sediments at various basin positions were monitored during a wet-dry cycle in 1978 and 1979. Water salinity fluctuated widely in response to changes in water volume and mass of solute in the water. When basins were dry, the soluble salt content of sediments 0–10 cm deep was higher than sediments 50–60 cm deep and sediments in the lake centre were more saline than at the shoreline. Upon reflooding, there was a large immediate decrease in sediment salinity at the 0–10 cm depth, such that this layer was less saline than sediments 50–60 cm deep. Sediments in the lake centre remained more saline than at the shoreline.Classification of lake salinity is necessary to assess the potential of a lake for emergent production. The large variances in ephemeral lake salinity due to water volume changes indicate that classification should be based upon the water volume-salinity cycle of these lakes rather than the salinity of any single water or sediment sample. Water management efforts to lower salinities, to improve these wetlands for emergent growth, should be aimed at reducing the salinity regime of the littoral zone. Flushing, dilution and drying and reflooding techniques are discussed as methods to decrease salinity.     

Complex controls on ostracod palaeoecology in a shallow coastal brackish‐water lake: implications for palaeosalinity reconstruction

1. The low‐Mg calcite shells of Ostracoda (Crustacea) are often well preserved in the sediments of alkaline lakes. In coastal waters that have undergone large temporal changes in salinity, ostracod assemblages preserved in the sediment record have been used to reconstruct palaeosalinity, often assuming that salinity is the only significant control on the faunas. 2. We evaluate the performance of ostracods as palaeosalinity indicators in Hickling Broad, a shallow brackish coastal lake in Norfolk, U.K., by comparing fossil ostracod assemblages covering two centuries with geochemical inferences and instrumental records of past salinity and water composition along with other palaeolimnological indicators. 3. Despite large changes in the salinity of the lake and the supposed salinity sensitivity of ostracods, the fossil ostracod assemblages do not clearly reflect the salinity trends inferred from the other independent data. Rather, a complex series of changes has occurred in the lake over the past 200 years and factors other than salinity, including eutrophication, toxicity and associated complex alterations in habitat availability have probably influenced ostracod assemblages. In contrast, there is a good broad agreement between inferred or measured salinity and the trace‐element chemistry of ostracod shells. 4. We conclude that ostracod faunas may not always provide unambiguous palaeosalinity records and should therefore not be used to reconstruct salinity changes except as part of a multi‐proxy investigation that includes other palaeoecological and/or geochemical indicators.     

Quantitative analysis of freshwater ostracode assemblages in southwestern Yukon Territory,Canada

Relations between modern ostracode assemblages and environmental variables from lakes in the southwest Yukon and northern British Columbia were explored. A total of 29 freshwater species representing 8 genera were identified from the sediments of 36 lakes, with the number of species ranging between 3 and 8 per lake. Species widespread throughout the study area include Cyclocypris ampla, Candona candida, Cypria turneri, Cypria ophtalmica, and Candona protzi. The Mg/Ca ratio is an important factor determining the ostracode species composition of a lake. Species richness is at a maximum when the lake water has intermediate values of conductivity. Lakes in which one species clearly dominates the assemblage (‰>‰70% relative abundance) have water saturated with respect to CaCO₃. Mg/Ca ratio, depth and Sr are the environmental factors that are most highly correlated with species distributions in this region.     

Wave–flow coupling effects on spatiotemporal variations of flow and salinity in a large hypersaline marine system: Lake Urmia, Iran

On many occasions, the effects of wind-induced waves and currents on flow and salinity fields in water bodies are evaluated separately. Some coupling mechanisms of the two phenomena, however, can have a significant impact on the flow and salinity conditions, in particular in sensitive aquatic ecosystems. This article attempts to quantify the wave contributions to the flow and salinity regimes in Lake Urmia, Iran. The salinity conditions in the lake have become an environmentally important subject, partly because this shallow hypersaline aquatic ecosystem is considered to be one of the largest natural habitats of a unique multicellular organism, Artemia urmiana. This brine shrimp is the major food source for many of the protected and rare shorebirds that visit the lake and can grow and survive in only certain ranges of salinity. The lake has also experienced considerable man-made changes during the past three decades. Previous studies that have modeled the flow and salinity regimes in the lake have overlooked the wave-coupling effects, and some have concluded that major remedial actions are necessary to restore the lake ecosystem. The wave-coupling effects were found to have significant impacts on the spatiotemporal variations of flow and salinity in the lake. Wave actions were intensifying vertical stratification, considerably influencing the flow and salinity regimes. It was found that improvements in the lake salinity conditions provided by the wave actions were comparable to potential improvements that expensive mitigation scenarios may offer. The relative magnitude of the wave coupling was found to be the highest in shallow/large water bodies, and it increased as the wave height and the initial salinity increased, suggesting that these wave-coupling effects are substantial, especially in large, shallow, hypersaline lakes.     

Palaeoecology of the Aptian Santana Formation (Northeastern Brazil)

In the interior of northeastern Brazil there occurs the Santana Formation of Aptian age, composed lithologically of three members: Crato — an alternation of thin limestones and shales; Ipubi — gypsum; and Romualdo — almost pure limestone. The formation is very fossiliferous; pollen, plant remains, ostracodes, conchostracans, mollusks, echinoids, fishes and a few reptiles. The fishes and reptiles occur in limestone concretions. All data on sediment character and on fossils have been considered together for the interpretation of the palaeoenvironment of the formation.It was concluded that at the time of the Crato Member the deposition occurred in shallow lakes and swamps. Later (Ipubi Member), a marine invasion took place during a time of dry climate, causing anhydrite precipitation. Gradually the connection with the sea became obstructed so that the environment at the end of the depositional period became once more one of fresh water (Romualdo Member). Faunal assemblages and sediments point to a fairly great supply of river water during the whole time of basin deposition, under warm and dry climatic conditions. The connection with the sea persisted for a rather short period.     

松辽盆地白垩纪微体生物群分布特征与富烃源岩层的形成

松辽盆地是我国白垩纪最大的陆相含油气盆地,晚白垩世两次大的湖侵事件导致了微体生物群的繁盛和富烃源岩层的形成。在论述松辽盆地白垩纪微体古生物群分布特征的基础上,着重阐述了以微体生物为核心的松花江生物群的发育与富烃源岩层形成的关系。认为大型富营养湖泊的发育为松花江生物群的繁盛创造了良好的外部条件,而湖盆内繁盛的微体生物群则为富烃源岩层的形成提供了丰厚的物质基础,与此同时,长期继承性深水构造凹陷和非补偿沉积则是富烃源岩层形成的有利场所。     

Does saline water consumption affect feeding and fuel deposition rate of a staging,long‐distance migrating passerine?

To accomplish their enduring journeys, migrating birds accumulate fuel consisting mainly of lipids in stopover sites located throughout their migration routes. Fuel deposition rate (FDR) is considered a key parameter determining the speed of migration and thereby bird fitness, and recent studies have demonstrated the positive effects of fresh water consumption on the FDR of migrating blackcaps Sylvia atricapilla. Sewage water reservoirs, characterized by higher water salinity than fresh water, were extensively built in different parts of the world and are used by birds during their travel, but their effects on wildlife and specifically on migrating birds have been largely overlooked thus far. We experimentally examined the effects of water salinity on blackcap FDR during migration. We captured birds in an autumn stopover site, transported them to the laboratory and provided them with fruits, mealworms and water of different salinity levels (0.3, 4.5 and 9‰ NaCl) for several days. We examined the effects of water salinity on the blackcaps’ diet, water consumption and FDR and found that FDR was mainly affected by fruit consumption rate and not by the water salinity levels. Water salinity nevertheless caused elevated water consumption as the birds consumed almost 3 times more saline water than fresh water per consumed fruit mass. Our work is the first to explore the consequences of saline water consumption on migrating passerines, specifically suggesting that anthropogenic alterations of habitats by sewage water treatment facilities may modulate bird nutrition and diet.     

Trace fossils and rhizoliths as a tool for sedimentological and palaeoenvironmental analysis of ancient continental evaporite successions

Recognition of evaporite formations from continental Tertiary basins of Spain provides evidence that trace fossils (including rhizoliths) can be abundant in some saline lake systems and their study helps in palaeoenvironmental interpretation of ancient continental evaporite sequences. Six main types of trace fossils have been distinguished and include: (1) networks of small rhizoliths; (2) large rhizoliths; (3) tangle-patterned small burrows; (4) isolated large burrows; (5) L-shaped traces; and (6) vertebrate tracks. Rhizoliths were related to both marginal areas of hypersaline lakes and lakes of moderately high saline waters. In these settings, pedoturbation resulted from colonization by grasses and bushes of distinct lake subenvironments. The activity of burrowing invertebrate faunas was especially intense in lakes of moderately concentrated brines from which gypsum was the main evaporite mineral deposited. A specific gypsum lithofacies (‘bioturbated gypsum deposits') forming thick, massive beds has a widespread occurrence in many of the basins. Tangle-patterned small burrows and minor isolated large burrows constitute the typical trace fossil types within the gypsum. The traces are interpreted as having been caused by burrowing insect larvae, probably chironomids, coleopterans and annelids. The behaviour of these organisms in recent lake environments yields information about the salinity range of lake waters from which gypsum precipitated. Concentration values averaging 100–150 g/l may be thus deduced though some organisms involved in the formation of the traces can tolerate higher salinities. The combined analysis of lithofacies and trace fossils from the lacustrine evaporite sequences contributes to the study of distinct saline lake subenvironments as well as changes in the sedimentary evolution of the lake systems. Consequently, trace fossils can provide valuable insight for palaeoenvironmental analysis of at least some evaporite formations that accumulated in continental settings.