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Thermal and chemical stratification of urban ponds: Are they ‘completely mixed reactors’?

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Abstract

We examined whether relatively small urban ponds behave as ‘completely mixed reactors’ by measuring the stability and vertical heterogeneity of water column parameters. To do this, we measured profiles of water temperature and conductivity from the pond surface to the water-sediment interface twice during summer 2009 in 45 stormwater ponds located in the residential landscape of southern Ontario. These data were used to calculate water column stability indices and examine the relative importance of temperature and conductivity in controlling water column stratification. We also measured concentrations of dissolved oxygen (DO), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), total dissolved phosphorus (TDP),total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), particulate phosphorus and nitrogen (seston P and N), chlorophyll a (Chl-a), and total suspended solids (TSS) in surface and bottom waters. Despite their shallow depth (0.50–2.8 m), most ponds were stratified on the day of sampling and had relatively stable water columns both in June and August. Temperature differences rather than conductivity differences were better related to water column stability. Despite relatively stable water columns, vertical differences were not found for most water chemistry parameters, suggesting either recent mixing or relatively slow biogeochemical processing. Top-bottom differences were observed in June and August for DO and in June for TDN, seston N and TSS, reflecting a combination of processes influencing water column chemistry.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Strategic Grant to P.C. Frost, M.A. Xenopoulos, J.M. Buttle and F.R. Pick. Field logistical support was provided by Environment Canada and the municipalities of Ottawa, Peterborough, Richmond Hill and Whitby. Assistance in the field and the laboratory was provided by A. McDonald, A. Scott, M. Merette and M. Lamond.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, Ontario, K9J 7B8, Canada

    N. A. McEnroe, M. A. Xenopoulos & P. C. Frost

  2. Department of Geography, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, Ontario, K9J 7B8, Canada

    J. M. Buttle

  3. Urban Water Management Section, Environment Canada, Water Science and Technology Directorate, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, Ontario, L7R 4A6, Canada

    J. Marsalek

  4. Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6 N5, Canada

    F. R. Pick

Authors
  1. N. A. McEnroe
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  2. J. M. Buttle
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  3. J. Marsalek
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  4. F. R. Pick
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  5. M. A. Xenopoulos
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  6. P. C. Frost
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to N. A. McEnroe.

Appendices

Appendix I

Table 2 Urban ponds selected characteristics and location. Data provided courtesy of each municipality
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Appendix II

Table 3 Local climate data showing weather conditions in June and August 2009 prior to and during sampling for urban ponds in Ottawa, Peterborough (Ptbo.), Richmond Hill (RH) and Whitby
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McEnroe, N.A., Buttle, J.M., Marsalek, J. et al. Thermal and chemical stratification of urban ponds: Are they ‘completely mixed reactors’?. Urban Ecosyst 16, 327–339 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-012-0258-z

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