A new tool for the assessment of severe anthropogenic eutrophication in small shallow water bodies. (May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Serrano, L.; Reina, M.; Quintana, X.D.; Romo, S.; Olmo, C.; Soria, J.M.; Blanco, S.; Fernández-Aláez, C.; Fernández-Aláez, M.; Caria, M.C.; Bagella, S.; Kalettka, T.; Pätzig, M.
• Is Part Of: Ecological indicators. Volume 76(2017)
• Page Start: 324
• Page End: 334
• Publication Date: 2017-05
• Subjects: Diagnostic tool -- Kettle holes -- Phosphorus -- Ponds -- Sediment -- Water quality assessment -- Wetlands; Environmental monitoring -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environmental impact analysis -- Periodicals; Environmental risk assessment -- Periodicals; Sustainable development -- Periodicals; 333.71405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2017.01.034
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1470-160X

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Unlike deep stratified lakes, the assessment of eutrophication in shallow systems should be based on the interaction between water and sediment. The bioavailability of P is naturally higher in shallow systems because the sediment plays an active part in nutrient recycling. We have provided a diagnostic tool that distinguish anthropogenic eutrophication from a background of natural eutrophy. When the sediment P-binding capacity becomes saturated, the ratio of total-P/particulate-P >2.0 during the growing season. Abstract: Unlike in deep stratified lakes, the assessment of eutrophication in shallow aquatic systems (i.e., wetlands, marshes, ponds) should be based on the interaction between water and sediment. The availability of P to primary producers is naturally higher in shallow systems, because the sediment plays an active part via adsorption, precipitation and release processes. Thus, many wetlands in protected areas are naturally eutrophic and have a high trophic status due to intrinsic features and thus, display a high concentration of total-P in the water without necessarily implying pollution or poor quality. We have provided a diagnostic tool based on the chemical equilibrium of dissolved reactive P (operationally-defined as o-P) between water and sediment that distinguish anthropogenic eutrophication from a background of natural eutrophy. When the P-binding capacity of the sediment becomes saturated, the o-P concentration increases in the water as long as both the biological uptake and the sediment adsorption are unable to cope with the rate of P-release from the sediment under a long-term P load (or severe anthropogenic eutrophication). In such conditions, we have found that the ratio of total-P/particulate-P exceeds 2.0 in the water, and have used this threshold to validate this tool in other sets of wetlands.