The influence of restoration measures on phosphorus internal loading from the sediments of a hypereutrophic lake

Abstract

Uzarzewskie Lake was a hypereutrophic, dimictic lake characterized by low water transparency, high chlorophyll-a concentration and intense phytoplankton blooms; thus, restoration treatment was started. A chemical treatment, based on phosphorus inactivation with small doses of iron sulphate, was undertaken in 2006–2007. Nitrate-rich groundwater flowing from seepage springs was directed into the lake hypolimnion to increase redox potential since 2008. Phosphorus internal loading was reduced by more than 80% as a result of restoration treatment. In the profundal zone, where P release from the bottom sediments prevailed throughout the year, it decreased from 13.02 mg P m−2 day−1 in 2010 to 2.81 mg P m−2 day−1 in 2015. Meanwhile, in the littoral zone, P accumulation in bottom sediments predominated; hence, the mean value of internal loading was increasing from 2.61 mg P m−2 day−1 in 2011 to 10.24 mg P m−2 day−1 in 2015. The annual P load from the bottom sediments in the profundal zone was much higher than from the littoral zone as a result of (i) a higher P release in most years and (ii) the greater area of this zone (82% of the lake’s area). The fraction of residual phosphorus (Res-P) has the largest share, and in recent years, this has shown a tendency to decrease. The sum of bioavailable fractions was low (average 5.7%) showing a downward trend in recent years. Sustainable restoration of the lake resulted in a slow but steady decreasing trend in internal phosphorus loading.