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The effect of chronic exposure to phosphorus-inactivation agents on freshwater biota

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Abstract

The phosphorus (P)-inactivation agents alum or modified zeolite (Aqual-P™) are used in eutrophic lake remediation. Lake managers must evaluate the benefits of P-removal against potential adverse effects on lake biota. Laboratory mesocosms were used to determine whether a 2 month exposure to alum or Aqual-P had lethal or sublethal effects on native benthic-dwelling macroinvertebrates or fish. The P-inactivation agents were applied while the organisms were present to evaluate both acute- and longer-term effects. A gradient of doses up to 344 g alum m−2 (>7 mm capping layer thickness) and a single 200 g Aqual-P m−2 dose were applied with no detectable acute effects on survival or behaviour. After 2 months, there was no significant effect of alum or Aqual-P on the survival or growth of the crayfish, mussels or fish, but aluminium accumulation was measurable in some treatments. Fingernail clams were held in a sub-mesocosm to prevent predation, which resulted in exposure to intact capping layers. The highest alum dose significantly decreased fingernail clam survival and reburial rates, while 200 g Aqual-P m−2 caused highly variable survival. Our findings can be used by lake managers to assist the selection of site-specific application rates for these P-inactivation agents.

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Acknowledgments

The local stakeholders Ngati Rangiwewehi provided the stimulus for this research which was funded by Bay of Plenty Regional Council (A. Bruere) and the Te Arawa Lakes Trust granted permission to collect crayfish and mussels from the Rotorua lakes. Ian Kusabs & Associates supplied the juvenile crayfish from Okere Arm of Lake Rotoiti. The authors thank the NIWA staff who assisted with the mesocosm exposure, particularly Anathea Albert, and two anonymous reviewers for constructive comments on the manuscript. This study was performed under NIWA Animal Ethics Committee permit number 113.

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  1. National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research, P.O. Box 11-115, Hamilton, 3251, New Zealand

    Susan J. Clearwater, Christopher W. Hickey & Karen J. Thompson

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  1. Susan J. Clearwater
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  2. Christopher W. Hickey
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  3. Karen J. Thompson
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Correspondence to Susan J. Clearwater.

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Clearwater, S.J., Hickey, C.W. & Thompson, K.J. The effect of chronic exposure to phosphorus-inactivation agents on freshwater biota. Hydrobiologia 728, 51–65 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-014-1805-9

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