Sedimentary record of nutrients and sources of organic matter in the Shuanglong reservoir, Dianchi watershed, China

Zhou, Zike; Wang, Yongping; Yang, Hao; Liu, Aiju; Wu, Shanshan; Teng, Haowei; Niu, Xiaoyin

doi:10.1007/s11356-020-12085-0

Research Article
Published: 05 January 2021

Sedimentary record of nutrients and sources of organic matter in the Shuanglong reservoir, Dianchi watershed, China

Zike Zhou¹,
Yongping Wang¹,
Hao Yang²,
Aiju Liu³,
Shanshan Wu⁴,
Haowei Teng¹ &
Xiaoyin Niu³

Environmental Science and Pollution Research volume 28, pages 17763–17774 (2021)Cite this article

361 Accesses
1 Citations
Metrics details

Abstract

In the last few decades, the eutrophication of lakes has been a serious issue in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River watershed. To explore the relationship between lake systems and anthropogenic activities, sediments were collected from the Shuanglong reservoir in the Dianchi watershed in Southwest China. Total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), total organic carbon (TOC), and the carbon isotopic ratio (δ¹³C) were analyzed in sediment cores to reconstruct the effects of natural succession and human activities on the past lacustrine environmental conditions. A reliable chronology of the sediment core was established by using the ²¹⁰Pb dating technique, which indicated that the age span of the 70-cm sediment core is from the years 1871 to 2011. Above – 31 cm depth in the core, TN, TP, TOC, C/N, and δ¹³C increased significantly, indicating that eutrophication has occurred since the 1980s. By combining the indicators of δ¹³C and C/N, it was shown that terrestrial and lacustrine components were the main sources of organic matter (OM) in the reservoir, which was mostly controlled by terrestrial C₃ plants and algae. Since the 1980s, increased sewage discharge, fish aquaculture, fertilizer application, population, and economic strength have sped up the eutrophication process, and the eutrophication was further intensified in 2001.

Graphical abstract

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

43,34 €

Price includes VAT (Finland)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References

Andrews JE, Greenaway AM, Dennis PF (1998) Combined carbon isotope and C/N ratios as indicators of source and fate of organic matter in a poorly flushed, tropical estuary: Hunts bay, Kingston harbour, Jamaica. Estuar Coast Shelf Sci 46(5):743–756. https://doi.org/10.1006/ecss.1997.0305
CAS Article Google Scholar
Appleby PG (2002) Chronostratigraphic techniques in recent sediments. In: Last WM, Smol JP (eds) Tracking environmental change using lake sediments. Developments in paleoenvironmental research, vol 1. Springer, Dordrecht, pp 171–203. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-306-47669-X_9
Bellanger B, Huon S, Velasquez F, Vallès V, Girardin C, Mariotti A (2004) Monitoring soil organic carbon erosion with δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N on experimental field plots in the Venezuelan Andes. 58(2):125–150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2004.03.002
Boutton TW (1991) Stable carbon isotope ratios of natural materials: II. Atmospheric, terrestrial, marine, and freshwater environments. In: David CC, Brian F (eds) Carbon isotope techniques. Academic Press, pp 173–185. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-179730-0.50016-3
Calder JA, Parker PL (1968) Stable carbon isotope ratios as indexes of petrochemical pollution of aquatic systems. Environ Sci Technol 2:535–539. https://doi.org/10.1021/es60019a001
CAS Article Google Scholar
Cochran JK, Hirschberg DJ, Wang J, Dere C (1998) Atmospheric deposition of metals to coastal waters (Long Island Sound, New York USA): evidence from saltmarsh deposits. Estuar Coast Shelf Sci 46(4):503–522
CAS Article Google Scholar
Das SK, Routh J, Roychoudhury AN, Klump JV (2008) Elemental (C, N, H and P) and stable isotope (δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C) signatures in sediments from Zeekoevlei, South Africa: a record of human intervention in the lake. J Paleolimnol 39:349–360. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10933-007-9110-5
Article Google Scholar
Dong L, Peng MC, Wang CY, Du JH, Chen ZL, Kong WL (2012) Research on soil erosion based on the USLE model and RS/GIS in the Dianchi lake watershed (in Chinese). Res Soil Water Conserv 19:11–14
Google Scholar
Du LN, Li Y, Chen XY, Yang JX (2011) Effect of eutrophication on molluscan community composition in the Lake Dianchi (China, Yunnan). Limnologica. 41:213–219. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.limno.2010.09.006
CAS Article Google Scholar
Fang JD, Wu FC, Xiong YQ, Li FS, Du XM, An D, Wang LF (2014) Source characterization of sedimentary organic matter using molecular and stable carbon isotopic composition of n-alkanes and fatty acids in sediment core from Lake Dianchi, China. Sci Total Environ 473–474:410–421. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.10.066
CAS Article Google Scholar
Fuentes N, Güde H, Wessels M, Straile D (2013) Allochthonous contribution to seasonal and spatial variability of organic matter sedimentation in a deep oligotrophic lake (Lake Constance). Limnologica. 43(2):122–130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.limno.2012.06.003
CAS Article Google Scholar
Goericke R, Montoya JP, Fry B (1994) Physiology of isotopic fractionation in algae and cyanobacteria. In: Lajtha K, Michener R (eds) Stable isotopes in ecology and environmental science. Blackwell Science, Oxford, pp 187–221
Google Scholar
Gui ZF, Xue B, Yao SC, Zhang FJ, Yi S (2012) Catchment erosion and trophic status changes over the past century as recorded in sediments from Wudalianchi Lake, the northernmost volcanic lake in China. Quat Int 282:163–170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2012.05.012
Article Google Scholar
Herczeg AL, Smith AK, Dighton JC (2001) A 120 year record of changes in nitrogen and carbon cycling in Lake Alexandrina, South Australia: C:N, δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C in sediments. Appl Geochem 16(1):73–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0883-2927(00)00016-0
CAS Article Google Scholar
Hu JF, Peng PA, Jia GD, Mai BX, Zhang G (2006) Distribution and sources of organic carbon, nitrogen and their isotopes in sediments of the subtropical Pearl River estuary and adjacent shelf, Southern China. Mar Chem 98(2-4):274–285. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marchem.2005.03.008
CAS Article Google Scholar
Huang DB, Bader HP, Scheidegger R, Schertenleib R, Gujer W (2007) Confronting limitations: new solutions required for urban water management in Kunming City. J Environ Manag 84(1):49–61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2006.05.004
CAS Article Google Scholar
Huang C, Wang X, Yang H, Li Y, Wang Y, Chen X, Xu L (2014) Satellite data regarding the eutrophication response to human activities in the plateau lake Dianchi in China from 1974 to 2009. Sci Total Environ 485–486:1–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.03.031
CAS Article Google Scholar
Humphries MS, Kindness A, Ellery WN, Hughes JC, Benitez-Nelson CR (2010) ¹³⁷Cs and ²¹⁰Pb derived sediment accumulation rates and their role in the long-term development of the Mkuze River floodplain, South Africa. Geomorphology 119:88–96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2010.03.003
Article Google Scholar
Huo SL, Ma CZ, Xi BD, Zhang YL, Wu FC, Liu HL (2018) Development of methods for establishing nutrient criteria in lakes and reservoirs: A review. J Environ Sci 67:54–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jes.2017.07.013
Article Google Scholar
Keil RG, Montluçon DB, Prahl FG, Hedges JI (1994) Sorptive preservation of labile organic matter in marine sediments. Nature 370:549–552. https://doi.org/10.1038/370549a0
Article Google Scholar
Kuwae M, Yamaguchi H, Tsugeki NK, Miyasaka H, Fukumori K, Ikehara M, Genkai-Kato M, Omori K, Sugimoto T, Ishida S, Takeoka H (2007) Spatial distribution of organic and sulfur geochemical parameters of oxic to anoxic surface sediments in Beppu Bay in southwest Japan. Estuar Coast Shelf Sci 72(1-2):348–358. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2006.11.005
Article Google Scholar
Lan B, Zhang DL, Yang YP (2018) Lacustrine sediment chronology defined by ¹³⁷Cs, ²¹⁰Pb and ¹⁴C and the hydrological evolution of Lake Ailike during 1901–2013, northern Xinjiang, China. Catena 161:104–112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2017.10.020
CAS Article Google Scholar
Li WP, Li CY, Zhang XJ, Shi XH, Li X (2010) Distribution of nutrient elements and environmental pollution assessment in sediment of Hulun Lake, Inner Mongolia (in Chinese). J Arid Land Resour Environ 24:159–163
Google Scholar
Li YB, Li L, Chen J, Zeng J, Wang YY (2013) Dynamic change of land use in Dianchi lake basin (in Chinese). For Invent Plan 38:22–26
Google Scholar
Liu EF, Yang XD, Shen J, Dong XH, Zhang EL, Wang SM (2007) Environmental response to climate and human impact during the last 400 years in Taibai Lake catchment, middle reach of Yangtze River, China. Sci Total Environ 385(1-3):196–207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2007.06.041
CAS Article Google Scholar
Liu S, Narentuya XB, Chu GQ, Tian MZ (2012) Using 210Pbuns and 137Cs to date recent sediment cores from the Badain Jaran Desert, Inner Mongolia, China. Quat Geochronol 12:30–39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quageo.2012.06.001
Article Google Scholar
Liu W, Wu JL, Zeng HA, Ma L (2014) Geochemical evidence of human impacts on deep Lake Fuxian, southwest China. Limnologica. 45:1–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.limno.2013.09.003
CAS Article Google Scholar
Mayer LM (1994) Surface area control of organic carbon accumulation in continental shelf sediments. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 58(4):1271–1284. https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-7037(94)90381-6
CAS Article Google Scholar
McConnachie JL, Petticrew EL (2006) Tracing organic matter sources in riverine suspended sediment: implications for fine sediment transfers. Geomorphology 79(1-2):13–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2005.09.011
Article Google Scholar
Meyers PA (1994) Preservation of elemental and isotopic source identification of sedimentary organic matter. Chem Geol 114(3-4):289–302. https://doi.org/10.1016/0009-2541(94)90059-0
CAS Article Google Scholar
Meyers PA (1997) Organic geochemical proxies of paleoceanographic, paleolimnologic, and paleoclimatic processes. Org Geochem 27(5-6):213–250. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0146-6380(97)00049-1
CAS Article Google Scholar
Pancost RD, Boot CS (2004) The palaeoclimatic utility of terrestrial biomarkers in marine sediments. Mar Chem 92(1-4):239–261. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marchem.2004.06.029
CAS Article Google Scholar
Routh J, Meyers PA, Gustafsson Ö, Baskaran M, Hallberg R, Schöldström A (2004) Sedimentary geochemical record of human-induced environmental changes in the Lake Brunnsviken watershed, Sweden. Limnol Oceanogr 49:1560–1569. https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.2004.49.5.1560
CAS Article Google Scholar
Routh J, Meyers PA, Hjorth T, Baskaran M, Hallberg R (2007) Sedimentary geochemical record of recent environmental changes around Lake Middle Marviken, Sweden. J Paleolimnol 37:529–545. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10933-006-9032-7
Article Google Scholar
Ruiz-Fernández AC, Hillaire-Marcel C, Ghaleb B, Soto-Jiménez M, Páez-Osuna F (2002) Recent sedimentary history of anthropogenic impacts on the Culiacan River Estuary, northwestern Mexico: geochemical evidence from organic matter and nutrients. Environ Pollut 118(3):365–377. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0269-7491(01)00287-1
Article Google Scholar
Santikari VP, Murdoch LC (2019) Effects of construction-related land use change on streamflow and sediment yield. J Environ Manag 253:109605. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.109605
Article Google Scholar
Schlünz B, Schneider RR, Müller PJ, Showers WJ, Wefer G (1999) Terrestrial organic carbon accumulation on the Amazon deep sea fan during the last glacial sea level low stand. Chem Geol 159(1-4):263–281. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0009-2541(99)00041-8
Article Google Scholar
Statistics Bureau of Kunming (n.d.). Available: http://tjj.km.gov.cn/. Accessed 28 Aug 2015
Tanaka T, Sato T, Watanabe K, Wang Y, Yang D, Inoue H, Li KZ, Inamura T (2013) Irrigation system and land use effect on surface water quality in river, at lake Dianchi, Yunnan, China. J Environ Sci 25(6):1107–1116. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1001-0742(12)60206-X
CAS Article Google Scholar
Tu LY, Jarosch KA, Schneider T, Grosjean M (2019) Phosphorus fractions in sediments and their relevance for historical lake eutrophication in the Ponte Tresa basin (Lake Lugano, Switzerland) since 1959. Sci Total Environ 685:806–817. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.06.243
CAS Article Google Scholar
Twichell SC, Meyers PA, Diester-Haass L (2002) Significance of high C/N ratios in organic-carbon-rich Neogene sediments under the Benguela Current upwelling system. Org Geochem 33(7):715–722. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0146-6380(02)00042-6
CAS Article Google Scholar
Wan X, Pan XJ, Wang B, Zhao SM, Hu P, Li FR, Boulanger B (2011) Distributions, historical trends, and source investigation of polychlorinated biphenyls in Dianchi Lake, China. Chemosphere 85(3):361–367. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2011.06.098
CAS Article Google Scholar
Wang QG, Du YH, Su Y, Chen KQ (2012) Environmental impact post-assessment of dam and reservoir projects: a review. Procedia Environ Sci 13:1439–1443. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proenv.2012.01.135
Article Google Scholar
Wang YH, Yang H, Chen X, Zhang JX, Ou J, Xie B, Huang CC (2013a) Molecular biomarkers for sources of organic matter in lacustrine sediments in a subtropical lake in China. Environ Pollut 176:284–291. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2013.01.041
CAS Article Google Scholar
Wang YJ, Liu DY, Richard P, Li X (2013b) A geochemical record of environmental changes in sediments from Sishili Bay, northern Yellow Sea, China: Anthropogenic influence on organic matter sources and composition over the last 100 years. Mar Pollut Bull 77(1-2):227–236. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.10.001
CAS Article Google Scholar
Wang GQ, Li JW, Sun WC, Xue BL, Yinglan A, Liu TX (2019) Non-point source pollution risks in a drinking water protection zone based on remote sensing data embedded within a nutrient budget model. Water Res 157:238–246. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2019.03.070
CAS Article Google Scholar
Wu JL, Huang CM, Zeng HA, Gerhard HS, Rick B (2007) Sedimentary evidence for recent eutrophication in the northern basin of Lake Taihu, China: human impacts on a large shallow lake. J Paleolimnol 38:13–23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10933-006-9058-x
Article Google Scholar
Xiong YQ, Wu FC, Fang JD, Wang LF, Li Y, Liao HQ (2010) Organic geochemical record of environmental changes in Lake Dianchi, China. J Paleolimnol 44:217–231. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10933-009-9398-4
Article Google Scholar
Xu G, Liu J, Hu G, Jonell TN, Chen LL (2017) Distribution and source of organic matter in surface sediment from the muddy deposit along the Zhejiang coast, East China Sea. Mar Pollut Bull 123(1-2):395–399. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.08.053
CAS Article Google Scholar
Xue B, Yao SC (2011) Recent sedimentation rates in lakes in lower Yangtze River basin. Quat Int 244(2):248–253. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2011.01.003
Article Google Scholar
Zan FY, Huo SL, Xi BD, Zhang JT, Liao HQ, Wang Y, Yeager KM (2012) A 60-year sedimentary record of natural and anthropogenic impacts on Lake Chenghai, China (China). J Environ Sci 24(4):602–609. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1001-0742(11)60784-5
CAS Article Google Scholar
Zhang J, Wu Y, Jennerjahn TC, Ittekkot V, He Q (2007) Distribution of organic matter in the Changjiang (Yangtze River) Estuary and their stable carbon and nitrogen isotopic ratios: Implications for source discrimination and sedimentary dynamics. Mar Chem 106(1-2):111–126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marchem.2007.02.003
CAS Article Google Scholar
Zhang EL, Liu EF, Jones R, Langdon P, Yang XD, Shen J (2010) A 150-year record of recent changes in human activity and eutrophication of Lake Wushan from the middle reach of the Yangze River, China. J Limnol 69:235–241. https://doi.org/10.4081/jlimnol.2010.235
Article Google Scholar
Zhang YQ, Long Y, Li B, Xu SJ, Wang XL, Liao J (2017) Use of reservoir deposits to reconstruct the recent changes in sediment yields from a small granite catchment in the Yimeng Mountain region, China. Geomorphology 293:167–177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2017.05.017
Article Google Scholar

Download references

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 41703099, 41030751, and 41673108) and the doctoral scientific research funds of the Shandong University of Technology (No. 415054).

Author information

Affiliations

School of Agricultural Engineering and Food Science, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, 255049, Shandong, China
Zike Zhou, Yongping Wang & Haowei Teng
School of Geographical Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China
Hao Yang
School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, 255049, Shandong, China
Aiju Liu & Xiaoyin Niu
School of Environment and Art, Wuxi Open University, Wuxi, 214011, Jiangsu, China
Shanshan Wu

Authors

Zike Zhou
View author publications
You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar
Yongping Wang
View author publications
You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar
Hao Yang
View author publications
You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar
Aiju Liu
View author publications
You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar
Shanshan Wu
View author publications
You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar
Haowei Teng
View author publications
You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar
Xiaoyin Niu
View author publications
You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

Conceptualization, Hao Yang; methodology, Shanshan Wu; investigation, Yongping Wang and Haowei Teng; supervision, Aiju Liu; writing—original draft preparation, Zike Zhou; writing—review and editing, Xiaoyin Niu.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xiaoyin Niu.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest and consent to participate and publish.

Ethical approval

This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Highlights

• TN, TP, TOC, C/N, and δ¹³C were used as natural tracers of erosion sources.

• The combination of δ¹³C and C/N can identify the sources of organic matter more accurately.

•Sedimentary organic matter is mainly derived from terrestrial C₃ plants and algae.

• Since the 1980s, early eutrophication may have occurred due to human activities.

Responsible Editor: Philippe Garrigues

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Zhou, Z., Wang, Y., Yang, H. et al. Sedimentary record of nutrients and sources of organic matter in the Shuanglong reservoir, Dianchi watershed, China. Environ Sci Pollut Res 28, 17763–17774 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-12085-0

Download citation

Received: 02 February 2020
Accepted: 14 December 2020
Published: 05 January 2021
Issue Date: April 2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-12085-0

Keywords

Sediment
Organic matter
Source
Geochronology
Anthropogenic activities
Eutrophication