Abstract
Eutrophication is a worldwide problem. In eutrophic lakes, phosphorus release from stored sediment hinders restoration processes. The epipelon is a community that grows attached to the sediment surface and has the potential to help phosphorus retention by autotrophic organisms. This study evaluated epipelon responses to four lake restoration techniques. The responses of abiotic variables and phytoplankton biomass were also evaluated. Four simultaneous mesocosm experiments were performed in a shallow eutrophic lake. The applied techniques were aeration, flocculant, floating macrophytes, and periphyton bioreactor. Water and epipelon samples were taken on days 3, 10, 17, 27, and 60. The aeration treatment and macrophytes decreased light availability in the epipelon, which had a predominance of heterotrophic components. Flocculant and periphyton bioreactor treatments favored epipelon growth with a higher contribution of autotrophic components. Therefore, some techniques may favor the epipelon growth, while others may harm the community, resulting in less efficient restoration processes. For the complete restoration of a lacustrine ecosystem, the choice of techniques to be applied must consider the restoration and maintenance of the benthic environment.
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Data availability
The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
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Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful for the financial support of the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP 2017/50341–0) and doctoral scholarship for RAC (FAPESP 2018/26686-0). The authors are grateful to the students and technicians involved in laboratory work and the field. We also thank the company Tanac for supplying the flocculant.
Author contributions
RAC and CF carried out the experimental design, the field experiment, sampling, and laboratory analysis and wrote the manuscript.
Funding
This study was financially supported by FAPESP (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo) (2017/50341–0; 2018/26686-0).
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Costa, R.A., Ferragut, C. Epipelon biomass responses to different restoration techniques in a eutrophic environment. Environmental Management 72, 505–518 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-023-01811-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-023-01811-2