Sediments

Abstract

The first description of the sediments occurring in Neusiedlersee was the result of extensive investigations by Moser of samples taken from the lake bed following its complete evaporation and drying out in 1865 (Moser 1866). Although the water level was very low in 1891, 1900, 1922, 1933 and 1949 (Sauerzopf 1959), the lake bed has not again been completely dry since 1870. Nearly 100 years elapsed before publication of further studies on the lake’s sediments (Tauber and Wieden 1959; Wieden 1959; Schroll and Wieden 1960; Löffler 1971; Blohm 1974). It is evident from these above studies and from personal investigations that the sediments forming the present bed of Neusiedlersee are neither physically nor mineralogically homogeneous. Furthermore, the general rule that the grain size of marine and lacustrine sediments decreases with increasing distance from shore does not apply to Neusiedlersee.