Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1016/j.watres.2023.119824
Document author version
Title (Primary) Sudden eutrophication of an aluminum sulphate treated lake due to abrupt increase of internal phosphorus loading after three decades of mesotrophy
Author Dadi, T.; Schultze, M.; Kong, X.; Seewald, M.; Rinke, K.; Friese, K.
Source Titel Water Research
Year 2023
Department SEEFO
Volume 235
Page From art. 119824
Language englisch
Topic T5 Future Landscapes
Keywords Internal phosphorus loading; Aluminum sulfate; Redox conditions; Sediment P-fractionation; Lake restoration success
Abstract Aluminum salts are widely used to immobilize phosphorus (P) in lakes suffering from internal loading. However, longevity of treatments varies among lakes; some lakes eutrophy faster than others. We conducted biogeochemical investigations of sediments of a closed artificial Lake Barleber, Germany that was successfully remediated with aluminum sulfate in 1986. The lake became mesotrophic for almost 30 years; a rather rapid re-eutrophication took place in 2016 leading to massive cyanobacterial blooms. We quantified internal loading from sediment and analyzed two environmental factors that might have contributed to the sudden shift in trophic state. Increase in lake P concentration started in 2016, reaching 0.3 mg L−1, and remained elevated into the spring of 2018. Reducible P fraction in the sediment was 37 - 58% of total P, indicating a high potential for mobilization of benthic P during anoxia. Estimated P release from sediments for 2017 was approximately 600 kg for the whole lake. This is consistent with sediment incubation results; higher temperature (20°C) and anoxia contributed to release of P (27.9 ± 7.1 mg m−2 d−1, 0.94 ± 0.23 mmol m−2 d−1) to the lake, triggering re-eutrophication. Loss of aluminum P adsorption capacity together with anoxia and high water temperatures (organic matter mineralization) are major drivers of re-eutrophication. Accordingly, treated lakes at some time require a repeated aluminum treatment for sustaining acceptable water quality and we recommend regular sediment monitoring in treated lakes. This is crucial given the effects of climate warming on duration of stratification in lakes which may result in the need for treatment of many lakes.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=26979
Dadi, T., Schultze, M., Kong, X., Seewald, M., Rinke, K., Friese, K. (2023):
Sudden eutrophication of an aluminum sulphate treated lake due to abrupt increase of internal phosphorus loading after three decades of mesotrophy
Water Res. 235 , art. 119824 10.1016/j.watres.2023.119824