Abstract
Lake Apopka in Florida, USA, is a large (area=124 km2), hypertrophic (mean total phosphorus=0.220 g/m3; mean chlorophylla=60 mg/m3) lake, with a large sedimentary store of available P (1635 × 106 g P). Phosphorus loading from floodplain farms (132 × 106 g P/yr) has been the primary cause of eutrophication. Assuming elimination of farm P loading, the Vollenweider model predicts a decline in equilibrium P concentration from 0.270 to 0.024 g/m3, if the P sedimentation coefficient (σ) remains constant. It is likely, however, that the value for σ will fall with the elimination of farm loading due to unabated internal P loading from the sediments. Under a worst-case scenario (σ=0), the model predicts that exportation of P from the lake via wetland filtration will greatly accelerate the lake's recovery. Recirculation of lake water through a 21-km2, created wetland and elimination of farm P loading is projected to result in a negative P balance for the lake (−23 × 106 g P/yr) leading to depletion of P stores in the lake in about 60 yr. The estimated cost of the project, $20 million, is less than 3% of the estimated cost of dredging. A 3.65-km2 demonstration project is underway to test and refine the wetland filtration technique. We believe the technique could be cost-effective for other hypertrophic lakes.
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Lowe, E.F., Battoe, L.E., Stites, D.L. et al. Particulate phosphorus removal via wetland filtration: An examination of potential for hypertrophic lake restoration. Environmental Management 16, 67–74 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02393909
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02393909