Sedimentary losses of phosphorus in some natural and artificial Iowa lakes

Abstract

Phosphorus sedimentation in four natural and four artificial Iowa lakes was measured by using sediment traps to determine if sedimentary phosphorus losses were greater in artificial lakes than in natural lakes and the limnological factors influencing phosphorus loss rates . Mean phosphorus sedimentation rates ranged from 13 .3 to 218 mg . m -2 day -1 . Although phosphorus sedimentation rates for the natural lakes as a group did not differ significantly from the rates for artificial lakes, there were significant differences among individual lakes . Phosphorus sedimentation rates also varied significantly during different seasons at different locations within a lake and at different depths within a location . Despite the variance, phosphorus sedimentation rates were strongly correlated with inorganic sediment concentrations and inorganic matter sedimentation rates, thus suggesting that inorganic sediments influence phosphorus sedimentation rates . When Iowa data were combined with data from published studies, mean sedimentation rates were directly correlated with mean chlorophyll a concentrations of the lakes . These data strongly suggest that sedimentation rates as measured by sediment traps are strongly influenced by the trophic status of a lake . Though sedimentation rates were higher in the more productive lakes, it is suggested that these rates represent only gross sedimentation rates rather than net sedimentation rates because of resuspension and resedimentation of bottom sediments.

Vertical nutrient transport and its effects on epilimnetic phosphorus in four calcareous lakes

“…The summer epilimnetic loss rates (P) for these Wisconsin lakes are in good agreement with Canfield et al's (1982) study of West Okoboji Lake in Iowa (12% of epilimnetic particulate-P d-t vs. 11% for Mendota), and with the Rotsee (Switzerland) in summer (7% loss of epilimnetic particulate-P d-t; cf. Bloesch et al, 1977).…”

A conceptual framework for predicting the occurrence of sediment focusing and sediment redistribution in small lakes

“…The data agree generally with the predictions. Canfield et al (1982) reported the phosphorus concentrations of sediment trap contents in some Iowa lakes for the ice-free period. The data are limited (Table 2) and may be complicated by recycling of the soluble form of phosphorus from the sediments.…”

The role of submerged macrophyte beds in phosphorus and sediment accumulation in Lake Memphremagog, Quebec, Canada

“…The distribution, transport, and ultimate fate of sediments have large effects on phosphorus (P) cycling in lakes (Canfield et al 1982;Kalff 2001). With respect to the composition and long-term accumulation of sediments, stratified lakes can be divided into three zones.…”