CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A new study says sediment buildup in Iowa's natural lakes has accelerated despite soil conservation efforts.

The Gazette reports (http://bit.ly/PykrRX) that the Iowa State University study authors say the buildup could damage wildlife habitat and contribute to other environmental problems.

In the study, core samples from 32 natural lakes were taken to track sediment deposits over the past 150 years.

ISU professor John Downing says the study showed that in 1900 it took more than 23 years for an inch of sediment to settle at the bottom of a lake. He says it takes only four years for that to occur now.

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Information from: The Gazette, http://www.gazetteonline.com/