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How effectively does a single or continuous iron supply affect the phosphorus budget of aerated lakes?

  • IASWS 2011: THE INTERACTIONS BETWEEN SEDIMENTS AND WATER
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose

In lake restoration, the redox sensitivity of iron (Fe)–phosphorus (P) compounds has been regarded as detrimental for a sustainable increase in sedimentary P retention since developing low redox potentials release Fe-bound P. Thus, Fe salts alone have rarely been used successfully to inactivate sediment P, and there are no studies on the long-term effects of in-lake Fe applications on P retention. Here, we analyzed for how long, and how efficiently, a single and continuous Fe application can affect the P budget of lakes.

Materials and methods

Two aerated lakes in Berlin, Germany were compared: Lake Tegel (TEG) experienced a continuous Fe supply via its tributaries, while Lake Groß-Glienicke (GGS) was treated once with Fe in the winter of 1992/1993. By controlling the operation of aerators, their effectiveness on P exchange at the sediment–water interface (non-aerated vs. aerated) was directly compared in spring and autumn between 2008 and 2010. The amount of P controllable by aeration (P control) was experimentally determined by non-aerated vs. aerated sediment cores (at 10 and 16 °C). Core stratigraphy of Fe was observed by high-resolution μX-ray fluorescence analysis.

Results and discussion

In TEG, the mobility of Fe was limited due to its sulfidic fixation, and thus Fe only accumulated slightly at the sediment surface (Fe/P ratio, ∼3). P control corresponded to only 4 % of the P content of the lake and 18 % of P loading. Hence, aeration only slightly influenced trophy-relevant epilimnetic P. In GGS, the single Fe application still ensures a high P binding ability of sediment since Fe relocated towards the surface (Fe/P ratio, ∼7). P control corresponded to 38 % of the P content of the lake and 74 % of annual P loading. Thus, the P release is not relevant for the P supply to the epilimnion since with the lake’s overturn P is co-precipitated by the hypolimnetically accumulated Fe.

Conclusions

When external P loading is sufficiently reduced, as in GGS, amendments to Fe precipitants can increase sediment P retention in a redox-dependent manner over the long term. Thus, the redox-dependent mobility of Fe should no longer be regarded as a disadvantage of Fe-containing precipitants. To compensate for co-precipitation and complexation of Fe with sediment organic matter, a high Fe dosage (≥200 g m−2) is needed.

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Acknowledgments

All persons who directly or indirectly contributed to the success of present study are sincerely thanked. Sylvia Jordan, Lisa Seidel, Matthias Tillack, Thomas Rossoll and Bernd Schütze helped in lake sampling. Christiane Herzog, Sarah Schell, Dr Elke Zwirnmann and Hans-Jürgen Exner (all IGB Berlin) performed the chemical analyses. Uwe Heerwagen (AGO Hydroair GmbH, Berlin) guaranteed the technical operation of aerators within the prescribed time limits. Sabine Stahl (Univ. Bremen) conducted the μXRF measurements. Dr Avril Arthur-Göttig (Munich) revised the English. Two anonymous reviewers improved an earlier version of this article by their constructive comments. The study was part of the KLIMZUG ‘INKA BB’ project of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Müggelseedamm 301, 12587, Berlin, Germany

    Andreas Kleeberg & Michael Hupfer

  2. Senate Administration of Health, Environment and Consumer Protection, Brückenstr. 6, 10179, Berlin, Germany

    Antje Köhler

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  1. Andreas Kleeberg
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  2. Antje Köhler
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  3. Michael Hupfer
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Correspondence to Andreas Kleeberg.

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Responsible editor: Brian Kronvang

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Kleeberg, A., Köhler, A. & Hupfer, M. How effectively does a single or continuous iron supply affect the phosphorus budget of aerated lakes?. J Soils Sediments 12, 1593–1603 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-012-0590-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-012-0590-1

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