Abstract. Hypolimnetic anoxia in eutrophic lakes can delay lake recovery to
lower trophic states via the release of sediment phosphorus (P) to surface
waters on short timescales in shallow lakes. However, the long-term effects
of hypolimnetic redox conditions and trophic state on sedimentary P fraction
retention in deep lakes are not clear yet. Hypolimnetic withdrawal of P-rich
water is predicted to diminish sedimentary P and seasonal P recycling from
the lake hypolimnion. Nevertheless, there is a lack of evidence from
well-dated sediment cores, in particular from deep lakes, about the
long-term impact of hypolimnetic withdrawal on sedimentary P retention. In
this study, long-term sedimentary P fraction data since the early 1900s from
Lake Burgäschi provide information on benthic P retention under the
influence of increasing lake primary productivity (sedimentary
green-pigment proxy), variable hypolimnion oxygenation regimes (Fe∕Mn ratio
proxy), and hypolimnetic withdrawal since 1977. Results show that before
hypolimnetic withdrawal (during the early 1900s to 1977), the redox-sensitive
Fe∕Mn-P fraction comprised ∼50 % of total P (TP) in the sediment
profile. Meanwhile, long-term retention of total P and labile P fractions in
sediments was predominantly affected by past hypolimnetic redox conditions,
and P retention increased in sedimentary Fe- and Mn-enriched layers when the
sediment-overlaying water was seasonally oxic. However, from 1977 to 2017, due to eutrophication-induced persistent anoxic conditions in the hypolimnion and to hypolimnetic water withdrawal increasing the P export out of the
lake, net burial rates of total and labile P fractions decreased
considerably in surface sediments. By contrast, refractory Ca–P fraction
retention was primarily related to lake primary production. Due to lake
restoration since 1977, the Ca–P fraction became the primary P fraction in
sediments (representing ∼39 % of total P), indicating a
lower P bioavailability of surface sediments. Our study implies that in
seasonally stratified eutrophic deep lakes (like Lake Burgäschi),
hypolimnetic withdrawal can effectively reduce P retention in sediments and
potential for sediment P release (internal P loads). However, after more than 40 years of hypolimnetic syphoning, the lake trophic state has not improved nor
has lake productivity decreased. Furthermore, this restoration has not enhanced
water column mixing and oxygenation in hypolimnetic waters. The findings of
this study are relevant regarding the management of deep eutrophic lakes with
mixing regimes typical for temperate zones.