This special volume represents the current state of knowledge of the status of Crater Lake, an ecosystem essentially undisturbed by human activities. The lake's natural dynamics and processes have been studied, including its special optical properties, algal nutrient limitations, pelagic bacteria, and models of the inter-relationships of thermal properties, nutrients, phytoplankton, deep-water mixing, and water budgets.

InhaltsangabeLong-term limnological research and monitoring at Crater Lake, Oregon.- Subaqueous geology and a filling model for Crater Lake, Oregon.- Evaporation and the hydrologic budget of Crater Lake, Oregon.- Long-term observations of deepwater renewal in Crater Lake, Oregon.- Thermal, chemical, and optical properties of Crater Lake, Oregon.- The extent and significance of petroleum hydrocarbon contamination in Crater Lake, Oregon.- Ultraviolet radiation and bio-optics in Crater Lake, Oregon.- Predicting Secchi disk depth from average beam attenuation in a deep, ultra-clear lake.- Measurements of spectral optical properties and their relation to biogeochemical variables and processes in Crater Lake, Crater Lake National Park, OR.- Bacterioplankton communities of Crater Lake, OR: dynamic changes with euphotic zone food web structure and stable deep water populations.- Seasonal and interannual variability in the taxonomic composition and production dynamics of phytoplankton assemblages in Crater Lake, Oregon.- Nutrient limitation in Crater Lake, Oregon.- Distribution and abundance of zooplankton populations in Crater Lake, Oregon.- Variability of kokanee and rainbow trout food habits, distribution, and population dynamics, in an ultraoligotrophic lake with no manipulative management.- Seasonal nutrient and plankton dynamics in a physical-biological model of Crater Lake.