This book represents the first multidisciplinary scientific work on a deep volcanic maar lake in comparison with other similar temperate lakes. The syntheses of the main characteristics of Lake Pavin are, for the first time, set in a firmer footing comparative approach, encompassing regional, national, European and international aquatic science contexts. It is a unique lake because of its permanently anoxic monimolimnion, and furthermore, because of its small surface area, its substantially low human influence, and by the fact that it does not have a river inflow. The book reflects the scientific research done on the general limnology, history, origin, volcanology and geological environment as well as on the geochemistry and biogeochemical cycles. Other chapters focus on the biology and microbial ecology whereas the sedimentology and paleolimnology are also given attention. This volume will be of special interest to researchers and advanced students, primarily in the fields of limnology, biogeochemistry, and aquatic ecology.

PART I: LIMNOLOGY, HISTORY AND COMPARATIVE LEGENDS.- 1. Pavin, the birthplace of French limnology (1770-2012), and its degassing controversy (1986-2016) - 2. Pavin, a rich but fragmented history (200 AD - 2016).- 3. Dragons, fairies, miracles and worship at Pavin and other European maar-lakes.- PART II: ORIGIN, VOLCANOLOGY AND GEOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT.- 4. Volcanism of the Monts Dore (French massif central).- 5. The origin of Lake Pavin: Two centuries of controversy.- 6. Characterization of phreatomagmatic deposits from the eruption of the Pavin maar (France).- 7. Magmatic evolution of Pavin's group of volcanoes: Petrology, Geochemistry and modeling of differentiation processes. A preliminary study.- 8. Distribution, tephrostratigraphy and chronostratigraphy of the widespread eruptive products of Pavin volcano.- 9. Geology, geomorphology and slope instability of the maar Lake Pavin (Auvergne, French Massif Central).- PART III: GEOCHEMISTRY AND BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES.- 10. Lake Pavin mixing: New insights from high resolution continuous measurements.- 11. Carbon cycle in a meromictic crater lake: Lake Pavin, France.- 12. The iron wheel in Lac Pavin: interaction with phosphorus cycle.- PART IV: BIOLOGY AND MICROBIAL ECOLOGY.- 13. The significance of transparent exopolymeric particles (TEP) for microorganisms in Lake Pavin.- 14. Lake Pavin: a pioneer site for ecological studies of freshwater viruses.-15. Study of prokaryotes and viruses in aquatic ecosystems by metagenetic and metagenomic approaches.- 16. Anaerobic microbial communities and processes involved in the methane cycle in freshwater lakes: a focus on Lake Pavin.- 17. New insights into the microbial contribution to the chlorine cycle in aquatic ecosystems. - 18. The importance of phagotrophic protists in Lake Pavin.- 19. Diversity and biogeography of picoeukaryotes: new insights into the rare biosphere. - 20. Molecular diversity studies in Lake Pavin reveal the ecological importance of parasitic true fungi in the plankton. -21. History of the fish fauna of Lake Pavin: a population heavily influenced by Man?.- PART V: SEDIMENTOLOGY AND PALEOLIMNOLOGY.- 22. Lake Pavin sedimentary environments. - 23. Lake Pavin paleolimnology and event stratigraphy.