Geochemistry and mineralogy of southwestern Lake Superior sediments with an emphasis on phosphorus lability

Tonello, Maurício Sonda; Hebner, Tayler S.; Sterner, Robert W.; Brovold, Sandra; Tiecher, Tales; Bortoluzzi, Édson Campanhola; Merten, Gustavo Henrique

doi:10.1007/s11368-019-02420-5

Cited by 16 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…The predominate soil types in the study area are Alfisols and Spodosols, commonly referred to as ‘red clay’ due to their rich iron content, are highly susceptible to erosion and the main contributor of dissolved ions to Lake Superior (Cooney et al, 2018; Stortz et al, 1976). We considered the high iron content of the soil as a possible linkage between high potential sites and increased conductivity, but the iron in these soils is present as iron oxides and are highly insoluble in water, and so is not likely stimulating algal growth (Tonello et al, 2019).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fluvial seeding of cyanobacterial blooms in oligotrophic Lake Superior

Reinl

Sterner

Lafrancois

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Lake Superior has recently begun experiencing cyanobacterial blooms comprised of Dolichospermum lemmermannii near the Apostle Islands and along the southern shore of the western arm. Little is known about the origin of these blooms. Experiments were conducted during the summers of 2017 and 2018 to identify sources of propagules and characteristics of sites that were potential sources. The 2017 experiments were conducting using a factorial design with three source zones (Harbor, River, and Lake), two nutrient conditions (high and low N:P), and three temperatures (15, 20, and 25 °C). At the end of the experiment, cyanobacteria were most abundant from the ′River′ and ′Harbor′ zones at low N:P and 20 and 25 °C, with D. lemmermannii most abundant at 20 °C. Subsequently in 2018 we evaluated 26 specific inland locations from three waterbody types (Coastal, Lake/Pond, and River) and explored similarities among those sites that produced cyanobacteria in high abundance when samples were incubated under optimal conditions (low N:P and 25 °C). Under these growing conditions, we found high cyanobacteria abundance developed in samples from river sites with low ambient temperatures and high conductivity. Field monitoring showed that Lake Superior nearshore temperatures were higher than rivers. These observations suggest that blooms of D. lemmermannii in Lake Superior are initiated by fluvial seeding of propagules and highlight the importance of warmer temperatures and favorable nutrient and light conditions for subsequent extensive cyanobacterial growth. We argue that the watershed is an important source of biological loading of D. lemmermannii to Lake Superior, and that when those cells reach the nearshore where there is warmer water temperatures and increased light, they can grow in abundance to produce blooms.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fluvial seeding of cyanobacterial blooms in oligotrophic Lake Superior

Reinl

Sterner

Lafrancois

et al. 2020

Preprint

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“…This also suggests more Al-P because clay minerals in soils having Al sheets in their structure have high P sorption capacity, depending on pH conditions (Gérard, 2016), where U8 has the lowest pH (Table 2). High P sorption to Al-containing clay minerals has also been found in lake sediments (Tonello et al, 2020). The C6 bedrock is instead mainly quartz arenite, and in E23, it is mainly granite.…”

Section: More Stable P (Al-p and Ca-p) And Geological Conditionsmentioning

confidence: 90%

Variability in fluvial suspended and streambed sediment phosphorus fractions among small agricultural streams

et al. 2021

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Agriculture is a major source of sediment and particulate phosphorus (P) inputs to freshwaters. Distinguishing between P fractions in sediment can aid in understanding its eutrophication risk. Although streams and rivers are important parts of the P cycle in agricultural catchments, streambed sediment and especially fluvial suspended sediment (FSS) and its P fractions are less studied. To address this knowledge gap, seasonal variations in FSS P fractions and their relation to water quality and streambed sediment were examined in three Swedish agricultural headwater catchments over 2 yr. Sequential fractionation was used to characterize P fractions in both streambed sediment and FSS. All catchments had similar annual P losses (0.4-0.8 kg ha -1 ), suspended solids (124-183 mg L -1 ), and FSS total P concentrations (1.15-1.19 mg g -1 ). However, distribution of P fractions and the dominant P fractions in FSS differed among catchments (p < .05), which was most likely dependent on differences in catchment geology, clay content, external P sources, and flow conditions. The most prominent seasonal pattern in all catchments was found for iron-bound P, with high concentrations during low summer flows and low concentrations during winter high flows. Streambed sediment P fractions were in the same concentration ranges as in FSS, and the distribution of the fractions differed between catchments. This study highlights the need to quantify P fractions, not just total P in FSS, to obtain a more complete understanding of the eutrophication risk posed by agricultural sediment losses.

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“…The predominance of glaciolacustrine red clay deposits in this portion of the watershed—together with differential isostatic rebound (more rapid to north and east), which causes submergence of this stretch of shoreline—make the southern shore of the western arm an important source of sediment and nutrients to Lake Superior (Kemp et al 1978; Robertson 1997). The mineralogy of these clays causes P to be tightly bound to the sediment entering the lake (Tonello et al 2019), reducing the immediate bioavailability of P associated with clay particles. The ultimate fate of P entering the lake on these clay particles is not yet known.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A first assessment of cyanobacterial blooms in oligotrophic Lake Superior

Sterner

Reinl

Lafrancois

et al. 2020

Limnology & Oceanography

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Lake Superior is often described as the most pristine of the Laurentian Great Lakes, but in the past decade Dolichospermum blooms have been observed. Land use in the adjacent watershed has not changed appreciably during this time, but the lake is warming and climatological variables correspond with presence of blooms. Blooms occurred only in relatively warm years as measured by degree days. Furthermore, the two largest blooms, in 2012 and 2018, occurred during years of especially extreme rainfall, providing coincidental evidence that intense storms provide nutrients or living propagules to the blooms from the watershed. Nearshore lake water in the narrow zone where blooms appear shows some riverine influence compared to water further offshore even in the absence of blooms. Nevertheless, water chemistry associated with the largest bloom in 2018 more closely resembled nonbloom nearshore lake water than river water, suggesting that blooms develop or at least persist outside of distinct river plumes. Concentrations of P and N during peak bloom density greatly exceeded any nonbloom lake or river waters, indicating that a buildup of phytoplankton biomass perhaps by floating and drifting to shore also is a significant factor in bloom occurrence. One potentially toxic substance (Anabaenopeptin A) was observed but at low concentration. At peak phytoplankton concentration, high seston C : P indicated severe P limitation while low C : N pointed against N limitation. If these newly observed blooms are indeed driven by temperature and rainfall as this evidence suggests, blooms may continue. Cyanobacterial blooms (defined as "a massive accumulation of cyanobacterial biomass, formed through growth, migration, and physical-chemical forces"; Tromas et al. 2017) are a significant and increasingly prevalent global water quality problem (Paerl and Otten 2013; Ho et al. 2019). Blooms of cyanobacteria are most often associated with eutrophic or

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Geochemistry and mineralogy of southwestern Lake Superior sediments with an emphasis on phosphorus lability

Cited by 16 publications

References 49 publications

Fluvial seeding of cyanobacterial blooms in oligotrophic Lake Superior

Fluvial seeding of cyanobacterial blooms in oligotrophic Lake Superior

Variability in fluvial suspended and streambed sediment phosphorus fractions among small agricultural streams

A first assessment of cyanobacterial blooms in oligotrophic Lake Superior

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