Natural controls on phosphorus concentrations in small Lakes in Central Alberta, Canada

Small lakes can act as environmental sensors for understanding regional hydrogeological conditions and elemental cycles. Because of their small size, they react quickly to changes in nutrient runoff, groundwater exchange and climate. In the post-glacial landscape of Alberta, the Carvel Pitted Delta harbours a variety of small lakes, which, despite being close together, can have markedly different chemistries and nutrient characteristics. Here, we focused on nine lakes with surface areas