Method for the preparation of artificial lake and river waters

The preparation of artificial waters that exactly reflect the actual concentrations of major, minor, and nutrient constituents except for organic matters in natural lake and river waters was studied. Lake and river waters worldwide with near-neutral pH values were classified into six types from the perspective of preparing their artificial counterparts, and a method for preparing each type has been developed. These methods can be applied to all of the 457 freshwater lakes and rivers worldwide (pH 5.1-8.7) whose major chemical compositions have been reliably determined and published in previous reports. This method is also applicable to saline lakes and rivers with total concentrations of dissolved ions less than 2 g L-1. Storage methods for artificial water were also examined to ensure the concentrations of the constituents are maintained. Autoclaved artificial water stored in an autoclaved container showed good stability for the concentrations of all constituents, even after 30 d of storage under ambient conditions.