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The role of sediments for phosphorus retention in the Kirinya wetland (Uganda)

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Abstract

Phosphorus dynamics were examined and modelled in a Cyperus papyrus and Phragmites mauritanus wetland on the Ugandan coast of Lake Victoria receiving secondary treated wastewater. Using a series of transversal transects, concentrations of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) were found to decrease gradually as water moved downstream, giving nutrient retention capacities which ranged between 40% and 60%. Near-zero oxygen and nitrate concentrations were observed as well. To investigate the phosphorus retention characteristics in more detail, laboratory experiments were carried out on sediment samples and sediment cores retrieved from points along the wetland. Following a P shock load to cores of the wetland sediment, it was possible to determine a sediment P uptake rate of 0.016 day−1. Sediment P adsorption studies were also performed, showing significant Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm behaviour. With these data a maximum P adsorption capacity of 4 mg P/g for the wetland sediment could be estimated. A plug-flow model was used to evaluate the phosphorus retention dynamics of the Kirinya wetland. A good correspondence between the actual and simulated P retention was observed. Comparing the daily P uptake (g/m3day) in the Kirinya wetland with the maximum sediment P uptake capacity, it can be concluded that the total P retention capacity of the wetland will only be sufficient for 30 more years under the present P loading and wetland management.

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Acknowledgements

This research was carried out in the framework of the ECOTOOLS project, supported by the European Commission RTD INCO programme (ICA4CT 2001-10036). Thanks are due to the MUIENR team of Rose Kaggwa, for sediment core sampling, and to the UNESCO-IHE laboratory staff.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, P.O. Box 3015, 2601 DA, Delft, The Netherlands

    Peter Kelderman, Maro Andy Tola & Anne van Dam

  2. Makerere University Institute of Environment and Natural Resources (MUIENR), Kampala, Uganda

    Frank Kansiime

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  1. Peter Kelderman
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  2. Frank Kansiime
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  3. Maro Andy Tola
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  4. Anne van Dam
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Correspondence to Peter Kelderman.

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Kelderman, P., Kansiime, F., Tola, M.A. et al. The role of sediments for phosphorus retention in the Kirinya wetland (Uganda). Wetlands Ecol Manage 15, 481–488 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-007-9048-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-007-9048-4

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