Lakes of Mongolia: Geomorphology, Geochemistry and Paleoclimatology (Syntheses in Limnogeology)

This book provides an overview of lakes in Mongolia from scientific, economic and scenic points of view, presenting lake area changes, their sedimentological and geochemical characteristics, valuable economic and geoheritage resources and paleoclimate change reconstruction. The book emphasizes internationally well-known lakes of Mongolia, but it also describes far less popular lakes which have remained unrecognized for scientific importance. The book offers modern, qualitative, process-oriented approaches and quantitative analytic results-based implications to understand the geomorphological, sedimentological and geochemical evolution of lake basins in Mongolia, and past and present climate changes in Mongolia and Eurasia. Insights into the interpretation of data obtained from the lake basins in the fields of geomorphology, sedimentology, geochemistry, geochronology and paleoclimatology are developed from theoretical principles, empirical observations, correlative illustrations, analytic measurements and conscious hypotheses. Based on the application of a combined compilation of recent Landsat 8 images of the lakes and topographic maps of them in 1970, this book presents enriched results and implications derived from remote sensing together with field measurements and laboratory analyses. This data compilation belongs to a research team at the Laboratory of Geochemistry and Geomorphology (LGG), National University of Mongolia (NUM). Preface In This New Book References Acknowledgments About the Book Contents About the Authors Abbreviations Chapter 1: Introduction 1.1 Overview of Mongolian Physiography 1.2 Overview of Mongolian Lakes 1.3 Scope and Structure of the Book 1.4 Importance of the Book References Part I: Lake Studies and Types of Lakes in Mongolia Chapter 2: Lake Studies in Mongolia: An Overview 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Lake Studies in the Nineteenth Century 2.3 Lake Studies in the Twentieth Century 2.3.1 1900–1950 2.3.2 1950–2000 2.4 Lake Studies in the Twenty-First Century 2.4.1 Changes in Lake Level 2.4.2 Changes in Lake Area 2.4.3 Geomorphological Processes in Lake Basins 2.4.4 Geochemistry of Lake Water and Sediments 2.4.5 Lake Studies on Paleoclimate and Paleoenvironmental Changes 2.4.5.1 Pleistocene 2.4.5.2 Holocene 2.5 Summary References Chapter 3: Formation and Evolution of Lakes in Mongolia 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Formation of Lakes 3.3 Evolution of Lakes 3.3.1 Tectonics-Induced Evolution 3.3.2 Climate-Induced Evolution 3.4 Summary References Chapter 4: Genesis of Lakes in Mongolia 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Genesis of Lakes 4.2.1 Tectonic Lakes 4.2.2 Volcanic Lakes 4.2.3 Landslide Lakes 4.2.4 Glacial Lakes 4.2.5 Karst (and Thermokarst) Lakes 4.2.5.1 Karst Lakes 4.2.5.2 Thermokarst Lakes 4.2.6 Fluvial Lakes 4.2.7 Aeolian Lakes 4.3 Summary References Chapter 5: Classification of Lakes in Mongolia 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Altitude 5.2.1 High-Altitude Lakes 5.2.2 Low-Altitude Lakes 5.3 Area 5.3.1 Large-Sized Lakes 5.3.2 Small-Sized Lakes 5.4 Stability 5.4.1 Perennial Lakes 5.4.2 Ephemeral Lakes 5.5 Depth 5.5.1 Deep Lakes 5.5.2 Shallow Lakes 5.6 Salinity 5.6.1 Freshwater Lakes 5.6.2 Saline Lake 5.7 Presence of Outlet 5.7.1 Open Lakes 5.7.2 Closed Lakes 5.8 Summary References Part II: Landscape Evolution of Large Lakes in Mongolia and Their Paleoclimate Records Chapter 6: Landscape, Lake Distribution, and Evolution in Eastern Mongolia 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Landscape 6.2.1 Geology 6.2.2 Climate 6.2.3 Landform 6.2.4 Glaciers and Permafrost 6.2.5 Groundwater 6.2.6 Surface Water 6.3 Lakes 6.4 Lake Evolution 6.4.1 Lake Yakhi 6.4.2 Lake Ganga 6.4.3 Lake Toson 6.4.4 Lake Burd 6.5 Summary References Chapter 7: Lake Buir 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Physiographic Condition 7.3 Geological and Geomorphological Settings 7.4 Climate Condition 7.5 Hydrological Condition 7.6 Changes in Area 7.7 Summary References Chapter 8: Lake Khukh 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Physiographic Condition 8.3 Geological and Geomorphological Settings 8.4 Climate Condition 8.5 Hydrological Condition 8.6 Changes in Area 8.7 Summary References Chapter 9: Landscape, Lake Distribution, and Evolution in Southern Mongolia 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Landscape 9.2.1 Geology 9.2.2 Climate 9.2.3 Landform 9.2.4 Glaciers and Permafrost 9.2.5 Groundwater 9.2.6 Surface Water 9.3 Govi Lakes 9.3.1 Paleolakes 9.3.2 Modern Lakes 9.4 Lake Evolution 9.4.1 Lake Taatsiin Tsagaan 9.4.2 Lake Orog 9.4.3 Lake Biger 9.4.4 Lake Shargiin Tsagaan 9.5 Summary References Chapter 10: Lake Buun Tsagaan 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Physiographic Condition 10.3 Geological and Geomorphological Settings 10.4 Climate Condition 10.5 Hydrological Condition 10.6 Changes in Area 10.7 Summary References Chapter 11: Lake Ulaan 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Physiographic Condition 11.3 Geological and Geomorphological Settings 11.4 Climate Condition 11.5 Hydrological Condition 11.6 Changes in Area 11.7 Geochemical Review 11.8 Summary References Chapter 12: Landscape, Lake Distribution, and Evolution in Western Mongolia 12.1 Introduction 12.2 Landscape 12.2.1 Geology 12.2.2 Climate 12.2.3 Landform 12.2.4 Glaciers and Permafrost 12.2.5 Groundwater 12.2.6 Surface Water 12.3 Lakes 12.3.1 Lakes in the Mongolian Altai Mountain Range 12.3.2 Lakes in the Depression of Great Lakes 12.4 Lake Evolution 12.4.1 Lake Khyargas 12.4.2 Lake Khar Us 12.4.3 Lake Khar 12.4.4 Lake Achit 12.4.5 Lake Uureg 12.5 Summary References Chapter 13: Lake Uvs 13.1 Introduction 13.2 Physiographic Condition 13.3 Geological and Geomorphological Settings 13.4 Climate Condition 13.5 Hydrological Condition 13.6 Changes in Area 13.7 Summary References Chapter 14: Lake Khoton 14.1 Introduction 14.2 Physiographic Condition 14.3 Geological and Geomorphological Settings 14.4 Climate Condition 14.5 Hydrological Condition 14.6 Changes in Area 14.7 Summary References Chapter 15: Landscape, Lake Distribution, and Evolution in Northern Mongolia 15.1 Introduction 15.2 Landscape 15.2.1 Geology 15.2.2 Climate 15.2.3 Landform 15.2.4 Glaciers and Permafrost 15.2.5 Groundwater 15.2.6 Surface Water 15.3 Lakes 15.4 Lake Evolution 15.4.1 Lake Dood 15.4.2 Lake Dood Tsagaan 15.4.3 Lake Targan 15.5 Summary References Chapter 16: Lake Khuvsgul 16.1 Introduction 16.2 Physiographic Condition 16.3 Geological and Geomorphological Settings 16.4 Climate Condition 16.5 Hydrological Condition 16.6 Changes in Area 16.7 Summary References Chapter 17: Lake Khargal 17.1 Introduction 17.2 Physiographic Condition 17.3 Geological and Geomorphological Settings 17.4 Climate Condition 17.5 Hydrological Condition 17.6 Changes in Area 17.7 Geochemical Review 17.8 Summary References Chapter 18: Landscape, Lake Distribution, and Evolution in Central Mongolia 18.1 Introduction 18.2 Landscape 18.2.1 Geology 18.2.2 Climate 18.2.3 Landform 18.2.4 Glaciers and Permafrost 18.2.5 Groundwater 18.2.6 Surface Water 18.3 Lakes 18.4 Lake Evolution 18.4.1 Lake Lun 18.4.2 Lake Tsaidam 18.4.3 Lake Khar 18.4.4 Lake Shariin Tsagaan 18.4.5 Lake Telmen 18.5 Summary References Chapter 19: Lake Terkhiin Tsagaan 19.1 Introduction 19.2 Physiographic Condition 19.3 Geological and Geomorphological Settings 19.4 Climate Condition 19.5 Hydrological Condition 19.6 Changes in Area 19.7 Sedimentological Review 19.8 Summary References Chapter 20: Lake Ugii 20.1 Introduction 20.2 Physiographic Condition 20.3 Geological and Geomorphological Settings 20.4 Climate Condition 20.5 Hydrological Condition 20.6 Changes in Area 20.7 Sedimentological Review 20.8 Summary References Chapter 21: Paleoclimatic Patterns Recorded in the Lakes of Mongolia 21.1 Introduction 21.2 Local Spatial Pattern of Paleoclimate 21.2.1 Eastern Mongolia 21.2.2 Southern Mongolia 21.2.3 Western Mongolia 21.2.4 Northern Mongolia 21.2.5 Central Mongolia 21.3 Local Temporal Pattern of Paleoclimate 21.3.1 Late Pleistocene 21.3.2 Early Holocene 21.3.3 Middle Holocene 21.3.4 Late Holocene 21.4 Regional Pattern of Paleoclimate 21.4.1 Southern Russia 21.4.1.1 Baikal Region 21.4.1.2 Sayan Region 21.4.1.3 Altai Region 21.4.2 Northern China 21.4.2.1 Northern Region 21.4.2.2 Northeastern Region 21.4.2.3 Northwestern Region 21.5 Summary References Part III: Scientific, Economic and Touristic Significances of Lakes in Mongolia Chapter 22: Future Directions of Lake Study in Mongolia 22.1 Introduction 22.2 Scientific Significance of Lake Study 22.3 Environment of Lake Study 22.4 Challenges Facing Lake Study 22.5 Summary References Chapter 23: Economic Values of Lake Study in Mongolia 23.1 Introduction 23.2 Economic Significance of Lake Study 23.3 Study of Brines in Lakes 23.4 Study of Minerals in Lakes 23.5 Summary References Chapter 24: Touristic Prospects of Lakes in Mongolia 24.1 Introduction 24.2 Impact of Lake Study on Tourism 24.3 Present Status of Tourism in Mongolia 24.4 Lake Tourism in Mongolia 24.4.1 Eastern Mongolia 24.4.2 Southern Mongolia 24.4.3 Western Mongolia 24.4.4 Northern Mongolia 24.4.5 Central Mongolia 24.5 Summary References Index