Major controls of base flow soluble reactive phosphorus losses in humid temperate headwater streams

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Rode ◽  
Remi Dupas
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Headwater Streams ◽  
Soluble Reactive Phosphorus ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Temperate Climate ◽  
Redox Processes ◽  
Temperature Dependent ◽  
P Release ◽  
Reactive Phosphorus

<p>Long-term Soluble Reactive Phosphorus (SRP) monitoring in headwater streams in central Europe revealed a seasonal pattern of SRP concentrations during low flow periods, with highest concentrations in summer and lowest in winter. These seasonal concentration amplitudes often exceed the eutrophication threshold during the summer eutrophication-sensitive period. It is assumed that temperature dependent biogeochemical processes control the underlying P release mechanism, where redox processes may be responsible for this increase. Several studies have highlighted the crucial role of reactive zones such as riparian wetlands in controlling solute export regimes. Moreover especially in forest headwater streams, in-stream assimilatory uptake shows a distinct seasonal behaviour because of varying shading conditions. This can also lead to seasonal SRP amplitudes. Furthermore sorption and desorption processes are temperature dependent which may alter in-stream SRP release during the year.</p><p>Often SRP concentrations are higher in agricultural streams than in more pristine headwaters. It is not clear how land use (e.g. P status of soils) may impact the baseline SRP concentrations and which factors control the seasonal change in SRP stream concentration (riparian groundwater heads and redox processes, temperature, in-stream release and uptake processes). Therefore the objective of this study is to disentangle land use impacts from hydrological and biogeochemical controls of low flow SRP losses.  A comparative study on seasonal SRP concentration patterns will be presented comprising around 53 long term monitored headwater catchments in humid temperate climate of northern Europe and the United States. Based on hydrological and SRP headwater signals and catchment properties, P release processes are discussed. The results of the study will allow to target SRP mitigation strategies based on knowledge of the dominating control of SRP loss from headwater streams. </p>

Biogeochemical Asynchrony: Ecosystem Drivers of Seasonal Concentration Regimes across the Great Lakes Basin

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly Van Meter ◽  
Nandita Basu ◽  
Danyka Byrnes
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Phase Behavior ◽  
Nutrient Dynamics ◽  
Soluble Reactive Phosphorus ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Stream Metabolism ◽  
Great Lakes Basin ◽  
Discharge Data ◽  
Reactive Phosphorus

<p>Changes in seasonal climate regimes, and related changes in seasonal nutrient dynamics, are occurring across a range of climates and land use types. Although it is known that seasonal patterns in nutrient availability are key drivers of both stream metabolism and eutrophication, there has been little success in developing a comprehensive understanding of seasonal variations in nutrient export across watersheds or of the relationship between nutrient seasonality and watershed characteristics. In the present study, we have used concentration and discharge data from more than 200 stations across US and Canadian watersheds to identify (1) archetypal seasonal concentration regimes for nitrate, soluble reactive phosphorus, and total phosphorus, and (2) dominant watershed controls on these regimes across a gradient of climate, land use, and topography. Our analysis shows that less impacted watersheds, with more forested and wetland area, most commonly exhibit concentration regimes that are in phase with discharge, with concentration lows occurring during summer low-flow periods. Agricultural watersheds also commonly exhibit in-phase behavior, though the seasonality is usually muted compared to that seen in less impacted areas. With increasing urban area, however, nutrient concentrations frequently become essentially aseasonal or even exhibit clearly out-of-phase behavior. In addition, our data indicate that seasonal SRP concentration patterns may be strongly influenced by proximal controls such as the presence of dams and reservoirs. In all, these results suggest that human activity is significantly altering nutrient concentration regimes, with large potential consequences for both in-stream metabolism and eutrophication risk in downstream water bodies.</p>

scholarly journals Warming increases carbon and nutrient fluxes from sediments in streams across land use

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 1193-1207 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.-W. Duan ◽  
S. S. Kaushal
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Organic Matter ◽  
Land Use Change ◽  
Sulfate Reduction ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Soluble Reactive Phosphorus ◽  
Overlying Water ◽  
Sediment Fluxes ◽  
Urban Sites

Abstract. Rising water temperatures due to climate and land use change can accelerate biogeochemical fluxes from sediments to streams. We investigated impacts of increased streamwater temperatures on sediment fluxes of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), nitrate, soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) and sulfate. Experiments were conducted at 8 long-term monitoring sites across land use (forest, agricultural, suburban, and urban) at the Baltimore Ecosystem Study Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) site in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Over 20 yr of routine water temperature data showed substantial variation across seasons and years. Lab incubations of sediment and overlying water were conducted at 4 temperatures (4 °C, 15 °C, 25 °C, and 35 °C) for 48 h. Results indicated: (1) warming significantly increased sediment DOC fluxes to overlying water across land use but decreased DOC quality via increases in the humic-like to protein-like fractions, (2) warming consistently increased SRP fluxes from sediments to overlying water across land use, (3) warming increased sulfate fluxes from sediments to overlying water at rural/suburban sites but decreased sulfate fluxes at some urban sites likely due to sulfate reduction, and (4) nitrate fluxes showed an increasing trend with temperature at some forest and urban sites but with larger variability than SRP. Sediment fluxes of nitrate, SRP and sulfate were strongly related to watershed urbanization and organic matter content. Using relationships of sediment fluxes with temperature, we estimate a 5 °C warming would increase mean sediment fluxes of SRP, DOC and nitrate-N across streams by 0.27–1.37 g m−2 yr−1, 0.03–0.14 kg m−2 yr−1, and 0.001–0.06 kg m−2 yr−1. Understanding warming impacts on coupled biogeochemical cycles in streams (e.g., organic matter mineralization, P sorption, nitrification, denitrification, and sulfate reduction) is critical for forecasting shifts in carbon and nutrient loads in response to interactive impacts of climate and land use change.

scholarly journals Lead, zinc, and chromium concentrations in acidic headwater streams in Sweden explained by chemical, climatic, and land-use variations

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 4323-4335 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. J. Huser ◽  
J. Fölster ◽  
S. J. Köhler
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Predictive Power ◽  
Prediction Models ◽  
Headwater Streams ◽  
Data Series ◽  
Seasonal Differences ◽  
Metal Concentrations ◽  
Lead Zinc ◽  
Term Data

Abstract. Long-term data series (1996–2009) for eleven acidic headwater streams (< 10 km2) in Sweden were analyzed to determine factors controlling concentrations of trace metals. In-stream chemical data as well climatic, flow, and deposition chemistry data were used to develop models predicting concentrations of chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn). Data were initially analyzed using partial least squares to determine a set of variables that could predict metal concentrations across all sites. Organic matter (as absorbance) and iron related positively to Pb and Cr, while pH related negatively to Pb and Zn. Other variables such as conductivity, manganese, and temperature were important as well. Multiple linear regression was then used to determine minimally adequate prediction models which explained an average of 35% (Cr), 52% (Zn), and 72% (Pb) of metal variation across all sites. While models explained at least 50% of variation in the majority of sites for Pb (10) and Zn (8), only three sites met this criterion for Cr. Investigation of variation between site models for each metal revealed geographical (altitude), chemical (sulfate), and land-use (silvaculture) influences on predictive power of the models. Residual analysis revealed seasonal differences in the ability of the models to predict metal concentrations as well. Expected future changes in model variables were applied and results showed the potential for long-term increases (Pb) or decreases (Zn) for trace metal concentrations at these sites.

scholarly journals Phosphorus Inactivation in Lake Sediments Using Calcite Materials and Controlled Resuspension—Mechanism and Efficiency

Minerals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 223
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Bańkowska-Sobczak ◽  
Aurelia Blazejczyk ◽  
Elisabeth Eiche ◽  
Uwe Fischer ◽  
Zbigniew Popek
Keyword(s):  
Adsorption Capacity ◽  
Soluble Reactive Phosphorus ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Eutrophic Lakes ◽  
Precipitated Calcium Carbonate ◽  
Anoxic Conditions ◽  
P Fraction ◽  
Reactive Phosphorus ◽  
High Doses

The efficiency and mechanism of orthophosphate—soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP)—inactivation in eutrophic lakes using controlled resuspension and calcite application into the sediment were investigated in this study. Two calcite materials, industrially produced precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) and natural ground limestone (GCC), were tested in short-term batch experiments and long-term sediment incubations under oxic and anoxic conditions. Maximum SRP adsorption capacity calculated using Langmuir model for PCC (3.11 mg PO43− g−1) was 6 times higher than of GCC (0.43 mg PO43− g−1), reflecting substantial difference in the surface area of calcite materials (12.36 and 1.72 m2 g−1, respectively). PCC applied into the sediment during controlled resuspension reduced SRP release by 95% (oxic) and 78% (anoxic incubation) at medium dose (0.75 kg m−2) and suppressed it completely at high dose (1.5 kg m−2) for at least 3 months, irrespectively of incubation conditions. The maximum achieved reduction of SRP release using GCC was also meaningful: 78% under oxic and 56% under anoxic conditions, but this required very high doses of this material (6 kg m−2). Mechanisms of SRP inactivation by calcites were: (1) adsorption of SRP during application into the resuspended sediment and (2) precipitation of calcium-phosphate compounds (Ca-PO4) during subsequent incubation, which was reflected in a substantial increase in the HCl-P fraction (phosphorus extractable in 0.5 M HCl) in sediments enriched with calcite, irrespectively of oxygen presence. However, anoxia strongly promoted the formation of this fraction: the rise of HCl-P was 2–6 times higher in anoxic than in oxic conditions, depending on the dose and form of calcite applied. The results showed that SRP inactivation using the controlled resuspension method is only successful if highly efficient reactive materials are used, due to large amount of SRP being released from sediment during resuspension. Thus, calcite materials exhibiting high adsorption capacity should be used in this lakes’ restoration technology to ensure fast and sufficient SRP inactivation. The rise in the HCl-P fraction in sediment suggests SRP inactivation through precipitation of relatively stable Ca-PO4 minerals, which makes calcite a suitable agent for sustainable, long term SRP inactivation. As anoxic conditions promoted formation of these compounds, calcite seems to be a promising SRP inactivation agent in highly reductive sediments.

scholarly journals Trajectories of nitrate input and output in three nested catchments along a land use gradient

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (9) ◽  
pp. 3503-3524 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Ehrhardt ◽  
Rohini Kumar ◽  
Jan H. Fleckenstein ◽  
Sabine Attinger ◽  
Andreas Musolff
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Organic N ◽  
Catchment Management ◽  
N Fixation ◽  
Time Lags ◽  
Input And Output ◽  
N Input ◽  
Nitrate Concentrations

Abstract. Increased anthropogenic inputs of nitrogen (N) to the biosphere during the last few decades have resulted in increased groundwater and surface water concentrations of N (primarily as nitrate), posing a global problem. Although measures have been implemented to reduce N inputs, they have not always led to decreasing riverine nitrate concentrations and loads. This limited response to the measures can either be caused by the accumulation of organic N in the soils (biogeochemical legacy) – or by long travel times (TTs) of inorganic N to the streams (hydrological legacy). Here, we compare atmospheric and agricultural N inputs with long-term observations (1970–2016) of riverine nitrate concentrations and loads in a central German mesoscale catchment with three nested subcatchments of increasing agricultural land use. Based on a data-driven approach, we assess jointly the N budget and the effective TTs of N through the soil and groundwater compartments. In combination with long-term trajectories of the C–Q relationships, we evaluate the potential for and the characteristics of an N legacy. We show that in the 40-year-long observation period, the catchment (270 km2) with 60 % agricultural area received an N input of 53 437 t, while it exported 6592 t, indicating an overall retention of 88 %. Removal of N by denitrification could not sufficiently explain this imbalance. Log-normal travel time distributions (TTDs) that link the N input history to the riverine export differed seasonally, with modes spanning 7–22 years and the mean TTs being systematically shorter during the high-flow season as compared to low-flow conditions. Systematic shifts in the C–Q relationships were noticed over time that could be attributed to strong changes in N inputs resulting from agricultural intensification before 1989, the break-down of East German agriculture after 1989 and the seasonal differences in TTs. A chemostatic export regime of nitrate was only found after several years of stabilized N inputs. The changes in C–Q relationships suggest a dominance of the hydrological N legacy over the biogeochemical N fixation in the soils, as we expected to observe a stronger and even increasing dampening of the riverine N concentrations after sustained high N inputs. Our analyses reveal an imbalance between N input and output, long time-lags and a lack of significant denitrification in the catchment. All these suggest that catchment management needs to address both a longer-term reduction of N inputs and shorter-term mitigation of today's high N loads. The latter may be covered by interventions triggering denitrification, such as hedgerows around agricultural fields, riparian buffers zones or constructed wetlands. Further joint analyses of N budgets and TTs covering a higher variety of catchments will provide a deeper insight into N trajectories and their controlling parameters.

scholarly journals Limnological characterisation and phytoplankton seasonal variation in a subtropical shallow lake (Guaiba Lake, Brazil): a long-term study

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 442-456 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo da Rocha Andrade ◽  
Danilo Giroldo
Keyword(s):  
Shallow Lake ◽  
Soluble Reactive Phosphorus ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Euphotic Zone ◽  
Subtropical Zone ◽  
Chl A ◽  
Relative Contribution ◽  
Long Term Study ◽  
Reactive Phosphorus

AIM: to provide a long-term limnological characterisation of a subtropical shallow lake in addition to verifying seasonal differences, including phytoplankton variation. METHODS: monthly sampling at sites IP, SJ and MD from 2000 to 2009 to analyse temperature - T; depth - Z; the depth of the euphotic zone - Zeu; Zeu/Z (%); total suspended solids - TSS; dissolved oxygen - DO; pH; electrical conductivity - EC; N-NH3, N-NO2, N-NO3; soluble reactive phosphorus - SRP; chlorophyll a - Chl-a and phytoplankton. RESULTS: low values of Z and Zeu characterised the shallow and turbid conditions of lake and corresponded to the contribution of nano-microflagellates (Chlamydomonas sp., Spermatozopsis sp., Cryptomonas sp. and Rhodomonas sp ) and diatoms (Aulacoseira granulata). Zeu/Z (%), SRP and Chl-a were significantly different at site IP (meso-eutrophic) compared to sites SJ and MD (eutrophic). Phytoplankton density was also significantly higher at sites SJ and MD, and the largest relative contribution of Actinastrum sp., Dictyosphaerium sp., Micractinium sp., Monoraphidium sp., Scenedesmus/Desmodesmus sp. and Euglena sp. corresponded to the most polluted waters at site SJ. The significantly higher T (ºC) in summer corresponded to significantly higher Chl-a as well as a greater richness and density of phytoplankton. Cocconeis sp., Gomphonema sp. and Pinnularia sp. (pennated diatoms) were negatively correlated with temperature and were therefore more representative at the three sites in winter. Asterionella formosa was correlated with SRP and vernal blooms were recorded (2000-2001). Planktothrix isothrix and Planktothricoides raciborskii were expressive in the summer/late summer (2004-2005), and were significantly correlated with Chl-a and low SRP in water column. CONCLUSIONS: The study corroborated the sensitivity of phytoplankton in characterising different stages of eutrophication at different sites and corresponding watersheds as well as in characterising different seasons in a shallow lake in the subtropical zone of Brazil.

Sediment Control of Soluble Reactive Phosphorus in Hoxie Gorge Creek, New York

1988 ◽  
Vol 45 (11) ◽  
pp. 2026-2034 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. L. Klotz
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Stream Water ◽  
Soluble Reactive Phosphorus ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Phosphorus Concentration ◽  
Sediment Control ◽  
Al Content ◽  
Exchangeable Al ◽  
Reactive Phosphorus ◽  
Highly Correlated

Stream sediments were found to regulate the soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) of stream water by geochemical processes. This conclusion was based on sediment analysis, laboratory sorption experiments, and measurement of the equilibrium phosphorus concentration (EPC). EPC is the concentration of P in the water at which there is neither sorption nor desorption of P by the sediments. At low flow conditions, streamwater SRP was highly correlated with EPC at six sites along Hoxie Gorge Creek (r = 0.979). EPC was inversely related to the ionic strength of the equilibrating solution, with Ca2+ producing larger changes than Na+. Minimum EPC values occurred near the neutral pH of the stream water and increased sharply in acidic and basic solutions. Also, EPC was negatively correlated with the exchangeable Al content of the sediments at the six sites. These data are consistent with a mechanism previously verified for soils in which solution cations displace exchangeable Al(III) from sediments; hydrolyzed Al(III) reacts with phosphate and removes it from solution. EPC and streamwater SRP were lower at sites with sediments that had higher concentrations of P-binding sites, despite also having higher sediment P.

scholarly journals Sediment phosphorus fractionation and flux in a tropical shallow lake

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jéssica Papera ◽  
Fabiana Araújo ◽  
Vanessa Becker
Keyword(s):  
Shallow Lake ◽  
Organic Phosphorus ◽  
Soluble Reactive Phosphorus ◽  
Oxygen Depletion ◽  
Phosphorus Fractionation ◽  
P Fractions ◽  
P Release ◽  
Water And Sediment ◽  
Mobile Fraction ◽  
Reactive Phosphorus

Abstract: Aim The aim of the present study is to evaluate the potential phosphorus (P) release from the sediment to the water column of a tropical shallow lake in the northeast of Brazil, based on the sediment P fractions and on the flux of P between water and sediment. Methods We used a sequential extraction method to analyse the different P fractions of the sediment of Lake Extremoz. We also carried out a 40-day microcosm experiment to analyse the flux of P between water and sediment. We did so by flooding 200g of sediment from the lake with 800 mL of 1.2 µm filtered lake water in 1 L beakers. Every 5 days we analysed: soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), total phosphorus (TP), organic phosphorus (Org-P), dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, and pH of the water. Results The largest fraction of P in the sediment of Lake Extremoz is Refractory-P, which is non-mobile. The main mobile fraction of this lake’s sediment is composed of P bound to Fe and Mn oxides (BD-P) which is redox sensitive. During the P flux experiment, the water was always oxic and with nearly neutral pH, however the temperature increased by almost 4 °C due to the increase of the temperature of the air. SRP, TP and Org-P concentrations in the water had a general decrease in the first 20 days. But, on the second half of the experiment, those concentrations increased and the fluxes of P from sediment to water, mainly Org-P, were positive. Even with this increase in concentrations, indicating a period of P release, overall fluxes were negative. Conclusions The main mobile fraction of the sediment is redox sensitive, therefore it has the potential to be released in case of oxygen depletion. Under current conditions, most of the P released by the sediment is in organic forms, indicating that, in the presence of oxygen, the balance of P between water and sediment is controlled by the effects of organisms on P as well as temperature.

scholarly journals Long-Term Study of Soluble Reactive Phosphorus Concentration in Fall Creek and Comparison to Northeastern Tributaries of Cayuga Lake, NY: Implications for Watershed Monitoring and Management

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2075 ◽  
Author(s):  
O’Leary ◽  
Johnston ◽  
Gardner ◽  
Penningroth ◽  
Bouldin
Keyword(s):  
Flow Rate ◽  
Algal Blooms ◽  
Soluble Reactive Phosphorus ◽  
Phosphorus Concentration ◽  
Term Study ◽  
Long Term Study ◽  
Cayuga Lake ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Reactive Phosphorus

This study focuses on soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), a key driver of eutrophication worldwide and a potential contributor to the emerging global environmental problem of harmful algal blooms (HABs). Two studies of tributary SRP concentrations were undertaken in sub-watersheds of Cayuga Lake, NY, the subject of a total maximum daily load (TMDL) development process, due to phosphorus impairment of its southern shelf. The long-term study compared SRP concentration in Fall Creek in the 1970s with that in the first decade of the 2000s, thus spanning a period of change in phosphorus sources, as well as in regional climate. The spatial study used data collected between 2009 and 2018 and compared SRP concentrations in Fall Creek to levels in northeastern tributaries that flow into the lake close to areas where HABs have been problematic. SRP was measured using standard procedures. Flow-weighted mean SRP concentration ranged between 15.0 µg/L and 30.0 µg/L in all years studied in both the 1970s and 2000s, with the exception of 2010. Annual discharge in Fall Creek showed no trend between 1970 and 2018, but a higher proportion of high streamflow samples was captured in the 2000s compared to the 1970s, which resulted in proportionally increased SRP concentration in the latter time period. There was no significant difference in the SRP concentration—flow rate relationship between the two time periods. Adjusted for flow rate, SRP concentrations in Fall Creek have not changed over many decades. Increasing phosphorus contributions from growing population and urbanization since the 1970s may have been counterbalanced by improvements in wastewater treatment and agricultural practices. Mean SRP concentration in northeastern tributaries was significantly (p < 0.001) higher than in Fall Creek, likely reflecting more intense agricultural use and higher septic system density in the watersheds of the former. This finding justifies continued monitoring of minor northern tributaries. Future monitoring must emphasize the capture of high flow conditions. Historical stability and highly variable hydrology will slow the watershed response to management and confound the ability to detect changes attributable to decreased phosphorus inputs. Large scale monitoring on decadal timescales will be necessary to facilitate watershed management.

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