1 Natural Dam Lakes and Their Status within Limnological and Geographical Studies
1.1 The Interdisciplinary Character of Limnological Studies
1.2 A Short Description of the Evolution of Limnology within the Field of Hydro-Sciences
1.3 Natural Dam Lakes in International Literature
1.3.1 Classification and Typology of Natural Dam Lakes
1.3.2 The Distribution of Natural Dam Lakes on Earth
1.4 The Research of Natural Dam Lakes in Romania
References
2 Geographic Location and Boundaries of Study Area
2.1 The Mathematical Position and Physical-Geographical Boundaries
2.2 Regional Integration Elements and Territorial Units
References
3 Physical-Geographical Conditions of Cuejdiu Valley and Their Importance in the Formation of Cuejdel Lake
3.1 The Role of Geological Factors
3.1.1 Lithological Structure and Stratigraphy
3.1.2 Tectonic and Structural Aspects
3.1.3 The Paleogeomorphological Evolution
3.2 The Role of Geomorphological Factors
3.2.1 Morphographic and Morphometric Issues
3.2.2 Landforms and Genetic Types
3.2.3 Present Geomorphological Processes
3.3 The Role of Climate Factors
3.3.1 The Genetic Factors of Climate
3.3.2 Description of Main Climate Elements and Phenomena
3.4 The Role of Hydrological Factors
3.4.1 Underground Waters
3.4.2 Surface Waters
3.5 The Role of Bio-Pedogeographical Cover
3.5.1 Land Use
3.5.2 Soil Covers
3.6 The Role of Anthropic Influence
References
4 Genesis of the Cuejdel Lake and the Evolution of the Morphometric and Morpho-Bathymetric Parameters
4.1 Cuejdel Lake Formation Stages
4.2 Dynamics of the Morphometric and Morpho-Bathymetric Parameters
4.3 Current Morphology of the Lacustrine Basin
References
5 Nature of Lacustrine Sediments and Clogging Rate
5.1 The Catchment Lake Basin and the Sediment Budget Evaluation
5.2 Sediment Volume Evaluation and Clogging Rate
References
6 The Seasonal Variation of Physical-Chemical Parameters and Water Quality Index (WQI)
6.1 The Seasonal Changes of the Temprature, pH, Concentration of Dissolved Oxygen and Standard Conductivity Determined in Situ
6.2 The Water Quality Index (WQI) and the Trophicity Degree Determined Based on Nutrients
References
7 Vegetation and Fauna: Environmental Bioindicators from Lacustrine Water Body
7.1 Vegetation, Aquatic and Palustrine Phytocoenoses and Phytoplankton
7.2 Fauna and Ecological Bio Indices in the Water Body
References
8 Sustainable Management of the Cuejdel Natural Dam Lake: Biodiversity Conservation Principles
8.1 Management of Lacustrine Water Body
8.2 Protected Area Status: IUCN IV.40 Cuejdel Lake
References
Conclusions
Alin Mihu-Pintilie is a Researcher Dr. at the Interdisciplinary Research Department – Field Science, University "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" of Iasi (UAIC), Romania. He completed his Ph.D. in Physical Geography, with the Distinction Excellent for his thesis, at the same university in 2015. During his PhD research, he taught university courses in geography, hydrology, and geosciences, an activity that he still undertakes today. Additionally, he has been part of seven national research projects in academic and political institutions in Romania. His main research interests include advanced spatial analysis using GIS software, remote sensing, and geophysics techniques for bathymetric and terrestrial mapping, geoarchaeology, underwater archaeology, and alluvial paleolandscapes. He is the author/co-author of 35 scientific papers and attended 70 scientific presentations and conferences in the field of Earth Sciences. He is a specialist in continental and oceanic sea diving since 2008 (NAUI Worldwide Patent). In addition, he is a member of national and international scientific societies such as EGEA, ARLG, SOR, SistemIS, GEODA, and AGR, and has also participated in numerous geographical and archaeological expeditions in different parts of Eurasia and the North Atlantic.
This book presents an interdisciplinary study of Lake Cuejdel, one of the youngest natural dam lakes in Romania. Even though the overall study has a strong geographical approach, it also includes limnological and hydrological studies.
The lake was formed in two phases: Initially a small lake appeared in 1978, and then in 1991 a major landslide occurred that blocked the Cuejdel brook and a larger lake was formed.
The book covers various topics, including the lacustrine basin, the geological setting, analyses of the physical-chemical parameters, water dynamics, flora and fauna and lake management.
This book is of interest for those working in freshwater science and ecology, physical geography, hydrology and limnology.