Seasonal and spatial heterogeneity in the water chemistry of two sewage-affected saline shallow lakes from central Spain

The seasonal features of the water chemistry in the saline shallow lakes Laguna de Manjavacas and Laguna del Pueblo (Castilla – La Mancha, Central Spain) were studied during 1990–1991 and in 1997. These lakes were both affected by sewage inputs driving them to a high trophic status. However, whereas sewage inputs entered Laguna del Pueblo directly, wastewater reached Laguna de Manjavacas after running for 8 km through a small riverbed, where natural processes caused partial mineralisation of organic matter. Moreover, water quality was further improved before entering the main water body of Laguna de Manjavacas, since water crossed through a wetland and high amounts of organic matter and ino…