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Ecological History of Lake Pontchartrain, an Estuarine Community

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Ecological History of Lake Pontchartrain, an Estuarine Community Ecological History of Lake Pontchartrain, an Estuarine Community REZNEAT M. DARNELL • Reprinted from [HE AMERICAN MIDLAND NATURALIST Vol. 68, No. 2, pp. 434-444, October, 1962 University of Notre Dame Press Notre Dame, Indiana Ecological History of Lake Pontchartrain, an Estuarine Community' REZNEAT M. DARNELL Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin ABSTRACT: During the past 5,000 years since stabilization of the level of the Gulf of Mexico, the Lake Pontchartrain basin has undergone drastic environmental changes. About 2,000 years ago when the Missis- sippi River established its course in the New Orleans area one of the early deltaic distributaries impounded an arm of the Gulf, creating the Lake Pontchartrain basin. Since this time the basin has undergone rapid filling from a variety of sources, as well as gradual freshening. Associated with these changes, as revealed by the fossil record, the sedentary benthic invertebrates have included a progression of species reflecting the respec- tive environments from the marine tidal flat community of 5,000 years ago (Dosinia and Mercenaria), through the brackish-water assemblage of 2,000 years ago ( Crassostrea and Thais), to the present-day near- fresh community ( Rangia, Mytilopsis, etc.). Along with filling and freshening the lake has apparently come under greater influence of weather conditions which now induce sudden and severe changes in the hydrographic environment. This physical instability is also reflected in the nature of the fauna. Although over 300 species are currently recog- nized from the lake, only about 4 maintain large endemic populations as year-around residents, a clam ( Rangia cuneata), crab (Rithropano- peus harrisii), copepod ( Acartia tonsa), and fish ( Anchoa mitchilli). Most of the remaining abundant species are migratory and spawn else- where, invading the lake as seasonal transients. Their population levels and the species composition of the fauna, in general, vary dramatically from one season to another and from year to year, apparently reflecting to a large degree the influence of the physical factors on larval migration and establishment. Impoundment has apparently been followed by a great increase in the availability of humus from decaying marsh grass, a retardation of flushing, an increase in siltation, and a general rise in tur- bidity. As a result the community appears to have progressed toward a heterotrophic condition in which the consumer species are greatly de- pendent upon organic detritus originating, in large measure, outside the lake. Detritus feeders are now among the most successful species com- prising the community of this lake. Community relations within Lake Pontchartrain, a Louisiana estuary, have recently been described in some detail (Darnell, 1958; 1961) . It is of further interest to review the history of the environment and the community, insofar as they are known, in order to place the present-day community in historical perspective. Considerable infor- mation is available in the literature on the geological history of New Orleans and the Lower Mississippi River area, and much of this material relates directly to the Lake Pontchartrain basin. The present discussion draws heavily upon the works of Fisk (1944, 1947a, 1947b) and Steinmever (1939) . Other pertinent material is included in the papers of Fisk, et al. (1938), Frink (1941), Gunter (1952b, 1953), 1 Contribution No. 1 from the Laboratory of Hydrobiology, Department of Biology, Marquette University. 434 1962 DARNELL : ECOLOGICAL HISTORY OF LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN 435 and Russell (1936, 1940, 1948). Thanks are extended to the following persons for taxonomic aid in relation to present-day invertebrates from the lake: W. J. Clench and A. Solem, gastropods and pelecypods; G. L. Voss, cephalopods; M. S. Wilson, copepods; and F. A. Chace, decapods. ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF THE LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN BASIN The succession of geological events occurring in the area is related primarily to (1) fluctuation in the level of the Gulf of Mexico with alternating periods of subaquaeous deposition and subaerial erosion, (2) migration and alternate delta formation by the Mississippi River, and (3) continual subsidence of the coastal deposits. Associated phenomena include impoundment, river overflow, wave dissection of marsh shore, and salinity changes of the aquatic environment. Faulting with displacement of sediments appears to have been of little over-all consequence in the history of Lake Pontchartrain. The late Pleistocene and Recent history of the area is summarized in Table I. The point of departure for the present discussion is the late Pleistocene (Peorian) interglacial period, of about 50,000 years ago. During this time the Gulf level was high, and the widespread Prairie Formation was laid down in shallow water. The subsequent advance of the late Wisconsin ice sheets was accompanied by lowering of the Gulf level which reached a maximum depression of about 450 feet below present sea level until about 18,000 years ago (Russell, 1957) . The exposed Prairie Formation was then subjected to leaching of soluble carbonates with oxidation of iron remaining in the surface clays. Erosion of uplands and stream cutting resulted in deep entrench- ment of the Amite drainage which flowed through the area now occupied by Lake Pontchartrain and of the Mississippi River which then flowed to the Gulf considerably west of New Orleans (Fig. 1A) . With retreat of the last glacial sheets and rise in level of the Gulf, fluviatile and estuarine deposition filled the trenches. About 8,000 years ago the rising sea first covered the divide between the old Amite and Mississippi River trenches, and widespread marine and brackish water sediments were being laid down over the oxidized clays. The Lake Pontchartrain area at this time was an open bay or shallow arm of the Gulf. When sea level reached its present stand about 5,000 years ago (Russell, 1957), the area was still characterized by tidal-flat species. During the above periods, the Mississippi River occupied a course west of New Orleans. With stabilization of the Gulf level, the river successively formed and abandoned a series of deltas, which still centered to the west. Subsequent meanderings were followed by an upstream diversion of the river channel about 2,000 years ago. At this time the Mississippi River established its course in the New Orleans area and alternately formed a series of deltas, one of which TABLE 1.—Late Pleistocene and Recent geological history of the Lake Pontchartrain area (compiled from several sources) Approx. date Position of ( years from Glacial stage Sea level Mississippi Condition of Lake Pontchartrain present) River -50,000 interglacial; begin- high; falling west of New Orleans deposition of widespread Prairie Formation clays on fling of late Wis- gradually subsiding shelf consin glaciation -18,000 maximum exten- maximum depres- west of New Orleans exposure of Prairie Formation; sion of late Wis- sion; ±450 ft. be- erosion, leaching, oxidation of exposed Pleistocene clays ; consin ice sheets low present level maximum stream entrenchment followed by fluviatile deposition within trenches. -8,000 glaciers retreating rising; Amite-Mis- west of New Orleans open bay or shallow arm of gulf; marine to brackish- sissippi R. divide water sediments deposited over oxidized clays first covered by sea -5,000 more or less stable sea level reached west of New Orleans; brackish-water sediments deposited; tidal flat species in- present stand migrating eastward habiting area; gradual freshening of water -2,000 stable more or less stable course established in lake area impounded; environment brackish to nearly at present stand New Orleans area ; fresh; marginal marsh and swamp encroachment; wave Metairie - Gentilly dissection, offshore distribution and deposition of ridge formed, creat- marsh humus (continuing to present) ; periodic silta- ing southern bound- tion from Mississippi River natural overflow ary of Pontchartrain depression Historical stable stable stabilized in area by sedimentation of lake bottom continued by: natural and artificial 1. persistent wave dissection of marsh shore, esp. in levees south and east, 2. infrequent Mississippi River overflow (crevasses) through broken levees or (since 1937) through Bonnet Carre Floodway, 3. steady inflow of sand and silt from north shore streams ; rounding of shore contours by wave action, esp. during hurricanes; continued subsidence of basins; artificial bottom changes due to dredging operations. 1962 DARNELL : ECOLOGICAL HISTORY OF LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN 437 / \ \ \ srar -- — —NK I • "7 1.41 C14*- NEW P ' • RLEANS ‘ s, iS• • 0, `•■ I ...6.0•• • ■•• • I ,_.: .10 • 1 .4 .1. .4%). Vi V / 1•••- t 4r, V I /- • \ I V MISSISSIPPI TRENCH • (ELEV. GULF OF MEXICO LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN X. Fig. 1.—Relation of late Pleistocene and post-Pleistocene drainage features to the present topography of the Lake Pontchartrain area. A. Late Pleistocene stream entrenchment. Note positions of the Amite trench system and the buried stream divide in relation to the city of New Orleans and Lake Pontchartrain ( modified from Fisk, 1947a). B. Successive Mississippi River delta formation during post-Pleistocene time. Only the major deltas of the eastern series are shown. This figure is modified from Fisk (1944), and his system of naming and numbering the deltas has been retained (D, Maringoin delta; H. Cocodrie delta; 1, Teche and LaFourche deltas; 12-15, Plaquemines and St. Bernard deltas). 438 THE AMERICAN MIDLAND NATURALIST 68(2)
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