Abstract
The physical variables which directly affect organisms inhabiting desert ephemeral pools were examined in four pools in southeastern Utah. During the day, pools were hyperoxic (240 torr) and hypocapnic (0.07 torr) while pH and temperature increased (7.5–9.0 & 17–35 °C respectively). Conversely, predawn pool measurements were hypoxic (40 torr) and hypercapnic (3 torr). While TA increased throughout the season (from 0.4 to 1.43 meq l−1), due largely to increased bicarbonate concentration (from 0.5 to 1.4 mmol l−1), water osmolarity remained relatively constant. These desert ephemeral systems represent unique environmental habitats where organisms experience both diurnal and seasonal changes in numerous physical variables over short time frames.
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Scholnick, D.A. Seasonal variation and diurnal fluctuations in ephemeral desert pools. Hydrobiologia 294, 111–116 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00016851
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00016851