Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Internal phosphorus loading in shallow Danish lakes

  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

High phosphorus concentrations due to internal loading from the sediment with a strongly negative impact on lake water quality, is often seen in shallow lakes after a reduction of external loading. To analyse the nature of internal loading we studied 1. the seasonal phosphorus concentrations of 265 Danish shallow, mainly eutrophic lakes; 2. seasonal phosphorus mass balances and retention for eight years in 16 eutrophic lakes, and 3. phosphorus mass balances and changing sediment phosphorus profiles for 15 years in one hypertrophic lake. Lake water, inlets and outlets were routinely sampled 10–26 times annually. Total phosphorus (TP) concentrations during summer were two–four times higher than winter values in lakes with a mean summer total phosphorus concentration (TPsum) above 0.2 mg P l-1. Annual phosphorus retention decreased with increasing TPsumand was lower than predicted from the Vollenweider model, particularly in lakes with TPsumabove 0.2 mg P l-1. The seasonal phosphorus retention in lakes with TPsumbelow 0.1 mg P l-1was positive during the whole season, except July and August when mean retention ranged from −10 to −30% of inlet loading. In lakes with TPsumabove 0.1 mg P l-1, the retention was positive during winter, but negative from April to September. The negative retention was most pronounced in lakes with the highest TPsum, particularly in May and July when mean retention ranged from −50 to −68% in lakes with TPsumabove 0.2 mg P l-1. The retention was generally less negative in June, when a clearwater phase typically occurs and close to 0 also in lakes with a high TPsum. Mass balances from the hypertrophic lake have now shown a 15-yr net annual negative retention following reduced external loading. Sediment profiles suggest phosphorus release from depths down to 25 cm and that net internal phosphorus loading may persist for another 15 yrs. It is concluded that internal loading of shallow eutrophic lakes may have a considerable and persistent impact on summer TP after reduced external loading.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Andersen, J.M., 1976. An ignition method for determination of total phosphorus in lake sediments. Wat. Res. 10: 329–331.

    Google Scholar 

  • Andersen, J. M., 1982. Effect of nitrate concentration in lake water on phosphate release from the sediment. Wat Res. 16: 1129–1126.

    Google Scholar 

  • Belzile, N., J. Pizarro, M. Filella & J. Buffle, 1996. Sediment diffusive fluxes of Fe, Mn, and P in a eutrophic lake: Contribution from lateral vs. bottom sediments. Aquat. Sci. 58: 327–354.

    Google Scholar 

  • Benndorf, J. & U. Mierch, 1991. Phosphorus loading and efficiency of biomanipulation. Verh. int. Ver. Limnol. 24: 2482–2488.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blomqvist, S., 1985. Reliability of core sampling of soft bottom sediment – an in situstudy. Sedimentology 32: 605–612.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boers, P. C. M., W. Van Raaphorst & T. D. Van der Molen, 1998. Phosphorus retention in sediments. Wat. Sci. Tech. 37: 31–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boström, B., M. Jansson & C. Forsberg, 1982. Phosphorus release from lake sediments. Arch. Hydrobiol. Beih. Ergebn. Limnol. 18: 5–59.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dillon, P. J. & H. E. Evans, 1993. A comparison of phosphorus retention in lakes determined from mass balance and sediment core calculation. Wat. Res. 27: 659–669.

    Google Scholar 

  • Downing, J. A. & L. C. Rath, 1988. Spatial patchiness in the lacustrine sedimentary environment. Limnol. Oceanogr. 33: 447–458.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ekholm, P., O. Malve & T. Kirkkala, 1997. Internal and external loading as regulators of nutrient concentrations in the agriculturally loaded Lake Pyhäjärvi (southwest Finland). Hydrobiologia 345: 3–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ignatieva, N. V., 1996. Distribution and release of sedimentary phosphorus in Lake Ladoga. Hydrobiologia 322: 129–136.

    Google Scholar 

  • Istavanovics, V. & K. Petterson, 1998. Phosphorus release in relation to composition and isotopic exchangeability of sediment phosphorus. Arch. Hydrobiol. Spec. Issues Adv. Limnol. 51: 91–104.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jensen, H. S. & F. Ø. Andersen, 1992. Importance of temperature, nitrate and pH for phosphate release from aerobic sediments of four shallow, eutrophic lakes. Limnol. Oceanogr. 37: 577–589.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jensen, J. S., P. Kristensen, E. Jeppesen & A. Skytthe, 1992. Iron:phosphorus ratio in surface sediment as an indicator of phosphorus release from aerobic sediments in shallow lakes. Hydrobiologia 235/236: 731–743.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jeppesen, E., P. Kristensen, J. P. Jensen, M. Søndergaard, E. Mortensen & T. Lauridsen, 1991. Recovery resilience following a reduction in external phosphorus loading of shallow, eutrophic Danish lakes: duration, regulating factors and methods for overcoming resilience. Mem. Ist. ital. Idrobiol. 48: 127–148.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jeppesen, E., J. P. Jensen, M. Søndergaard, T. L. Lauridsen, L. J. Pedersen & L. Jensen, 1997. Top-down control in freshwa152 ter lakes: the role of nutrient state, submerged macrophytes and water depth. Hydrobiologia 342/343: 151–164.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jeppesen, E., M. Søndergaard, J. P. Jensen, E. Mortensen, A-M. Hansen & T. Jørgensen, 1998. Cascading trophic interactions from fish to bacteria and nutrients after reduced sewage loading: an 18-year-study of a shallow hypertrophic lake. Ecosystems 1: 250–267.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koroleff, F., 1970. Determination of total phosphorus in natural waters by means of persulphate oxidation. An interlab. report No. 3 Cons. int. Explor. Mer.

  • Kristensen, P., J. P. Jensen & E. Jeppesen,. 1990. Eutrofieringsmodeller for søer. NPo-forskning fra Miljøstyrelsen, C9. 120 pp. (In Danish).

  • Kronvang, B., S. E. Larsen, H. L. Iversen, J. Windolf & D. Müller-Wohlfeil, 1997. In J. Windolf, L. M. Svendsen, B. Kronvang, J. Skriver, N. B. Ovesen, S. E. Larsen, A. Baattrup-Pedersen, H. L. Iversen, J. Erfurt, D. Müller-Wohlfeil & J. P. Jensen, 1997. Ferske vandområder – vandløb og kilder. Vandmiljøplanens Overvågningsprogram 1996. Danmarks Miljøundersøgelser. 112 s. Faglig rapport fra DMU nr: 214 pp. (in Danish)

  • Kronvang, B., G. Ærtebjerg, R. Grant, P. Kristensen, M. Hovmand & J. Kirkegaard, 1993. Nationwide monitoring of nutrients and their ecological effects. State of the Danish Aquatic Environment. Ambio 22/4: 176–187.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lijklema, L., 1976. The role of iron in the exchange of phosphate between water and sediments. In Interaction between sediments and Freshwater, SIL-UNESCO-Symp.Junk, The Hague, Amsterdam: 313–317.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luecke, C., M. J. Vanni, J. J. Magnuson, J. F. Kitchell & P. T. Jacobson, 1990. Seasonal regulation of Daphniapopulations by planktivorous fish: Implications for the spring clear-water phase. Limnol. Oceanogr. 25: 1718–1733.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marsden, M. W., 1989. Lake restoration by reducing external phosphorus loading: the influence of sediment phosphorus release. Freshwat. Biol. 21: 139–162.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nicholls, K. H., M. F. P. Michalski & Wm. Gibson, 1996. An experimental demonstration of trophic interactions affecting water quality of Rice Lake, Ontario (Canada). Hydrobiologia 319: 73–85.

    Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, G., R. Jackson, C. Bennet & A. Chilvers, 1994. The importance of sediment phosphorus release in the restoration of very shallow lakes (The Norfolk Broads, England) and implications for biomanipulation. Hydrobiologia 275/276: 445–456.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sas, H., 1989. Lake restoration by reduction of nutrient loading. Expectations, experiences, extrapolation. Academic Verlag St. Augustin: 497 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, J. F. H. & E. E. Prepas, 1990. Relationships between phosphorus in shallow sediments and in the trophogenic zone of seven Alberta lakes. Wat. Res. 24: 551–556.

    Google Scholar 

  • Svendsen, L., S. E. Larsen & J. P. Jensen, 1997. Stoftilførsel til marine kystafsnit. In J. Windolf, L. M. Svendsen, B. Kronvang, J. Skriver, N. B. Ovesen, S. E. Larsen, A. Baattrup-Pedersen, H. L. Iversen, J. Erfurt, D. Müller-Wohlfeil & J. P. Jensen, 1997. Ferske vandområder – vandløb og kilder. Vandmiljøplanens Overvågningsprogram 1996. Danmarks Miljøundersøgelser. 112 s. Faglig rapport fra DMU nr: 214 pp. (in Danish)

  • Søndergaard, M., 1988. Seasonal variation in the loosely sorbed phosphorus fraction of the sediment of a shallow and hypertrophic lake. Envir. Geol. Wat. Sci. 11: 115.121.

    Google Scholar 

  • Søndergaard, M., 1990. Pore water dynamics in the sediment of a shallow and hypertrophic lakes. Hydrobiologia 192: 247–258.

    Google Scholar 

  • Søndergaard, M., E. Jeppesen, E. Mortensen, E. Dall, P. Kristensen & O. Sortkjær, 1990. Phytoplankton biomass reduction after planktivorous fish reduction in a shallow eutrophic lake: a combined effect of reduced internal P-loading and increased zooplankton grazing. Hydrobiologia 200/201: 229–240.

    Google Scholar 

  • Søndergaard, M., P. Kristensen & E. Jeppesen, 1993. Eight years of internal phosphorus loading and changes in the sediment phosphorus profile of Lake Søbygaard, Denmark

  • Urban, N. R., C. Dinkel, C. & B. Wehrli, 1997. Solute transfer across the sediment surface of a eutrophic lake: I. Porewater profiles form dialysis samplers. Aquat. Sci. 59: 1–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van der Molen, D. T., 1991. A simple dynamic model for the simulation of the release of phosphorus from sediments in shallow, eutrophic systems. Wat. Res. 25: 737–744.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van der Molen, D. T. & P. C. N. Boers, 1994. Influence of internal loading on phosphorus concentration in shallow lakes before and after reduction of the external loading. Hydrobiologia 275/276: 379–389.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van der Molen, D. T. & P. C. N. Boers, 1996. Changes in phosphorus and nitrogen cycling following food web manipulations in a shallow Dutch lake. Freshwat. Biol. 35: 189–202.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van der Molen, D. T., F. J. Los, L. Van Ballegooijen & M. P. Van der Vat, 1994. Mathematical modelling as a tool for management in eutrophication control of shallow lakes. Hydrobiologia 275/276: 479–492.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Luijn, F. V., D. T. Van der Molen, W. J. Luttmer & P. C. M. Boers, 1995. Influence of benthic diatoms on the nutrient release from sediments of shallow lakes recovering from eutrophication. Wat. Sci. Tech. 32: 89–97.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vollenweider, R. A., 1976. Advance in defining critical loading levels for phosphorus in lake eutrophication. Mem. Ist. ital. Idrobiol. 33: 53–83.

    Google Scholar 

  • Welch, E. B. & G. D. Cooke, 1995. Internal phosphorus loading in shallow lakes: importance and control. Lake and Reserv. Mgmt. 11: 273–281.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Lake and Estuarine Ecology, National Environmental Research Institute, Vejlsøvej 25, P.O. Box 314, DK-8600, Silkeborg, Denmark

    Martin Søndergaard, Jens Peder Jensen & Erik Jeppesen

Authors
  1. Martin Søndergaard
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jens Peder Jensen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Erik Jeppesen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Søndergaard, M., Jensen, J.P. & Jeppesen, E. Internal phosphorus loading in shallow Danish lakes. Hydrobiologia 408, 145–152 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1017063431437

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1017063431437

Search

Navigation