scholarly journals Flood water quality and marine sediment and nutrient loads from the Tully and Murray catchments in north Queensland, Australia

2009 ◽  
Vol 60 (11) ◽  
pp. 1123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jim Wallace ◽  
Lachlan Stewart ◽  
Aaron Hawdon ◽  
Rex Keen ◽  
Fazlul Karim ◽  
...  

Current estimates of sediment and nutrient loads from the Tully–Murray floodplain to the Great Barrier Reef lagoon are updated by taking explicit account of flood events. New estimates of flood discharge that include over-bank flows are combined with direct measurements of sediment and nutrient concentrations in flood waters to calculate the loads of sediment and nutrient delivered to the ocean during 13 floods that occurred between 2006 and 2008. Although absolute concentrations of sediment and nutrient were quite low, the large volume of water discharged during floods means that they make a large contribution (30–50%) to the marine load. By not accounting for flood flows correctly, previous estimates of the annual average discharge are 15% too low and annual loads of nitrogen and phosphorus are 47% and 32% too low respectively. However, because sediments may be source-limited, accounting for flood flows simply dilutes their concentration and the resulting annual average load is similar to that previously estimated. Flood waters also carry more dissolved organic nitrogen than dissolved inorganic nitrogen and this is the opposite of their concentrations in river water. Consequently, dissolved organic nitrogen loads to the ocean may be around twice those previously estimated from riverine data.

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Valdés ◽  
François Carlotti ◽  
Ruben Escribano ◽  
Katty Donoso ◽  
Marc Pagano ◽  
...  

Abstract. Zooplankton play a key role in the regeneration of nitrogen and phosphorus in the ocean through grazing and metabolism. This study investigates the role of the organic and inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus compounds released by copepods on biogeochemical processes and on the microbial community composition during the OUTPACE cruise (18 February–3 April 2015) at three long duration stations (LD). Two LD stations were located in the Melanesian Archipelago region (MA; LD A and LD B) and one in the South Pacific Gyre (SG; LD C), which represent oligotrophic and ultraoligotrophic regions respectively. At each station, microcosm onboard experiments were performed with locally sampled organisms, comprising a mix of epipelagic copepods fed with their natural food and then incubated along with wild microbial assemblages. In presence of copepods, ammonium and dissolved organic nitrogen showed a significant increase, compared to a control in two situations: in ammonium concentration (increasing rate: 0.29 μmol L−1 h−1 after 4 h of incubation) in LD C and in dissolved organic nitrogen concentration (rate: 2.13 μmol L−1 h−1 after 0.5 h of incubation) in LD A. In addition, during the three experiments, an enhanced remineralization (ammonification and nitrification) was observed when adding copepods compared to the controls. A shift in the composition of active bacterial community was observed for the experiments in LD A and LD B mainly characterized by an increase in Alteromonadales and SAR11, respectively and linked with changes in nutrient concentrations. In the experiment performed in LD C, both groups increased but at different periods of incubation, Alteromonadales between 1 and 2 h after the beginning of the experiment, and SAR 11 at the end of incubation. Finally, our experimental results in near in situ conditions, show that copepods can be a source of organic and inorganic compounds for bacterial communities, which respond to excretion pulses at different scales, depending on the initial environmental conditions and on their community composition. These processes can contribute significantly to nutrient recycling in the epipelagic ecosystem of ultra and oligotrophic oceanic regions.


Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1531
Author(s):  
Konstantinos Stefanidis ◽  
Aikaterini Christopoulou ◽  
Serafeim Poulos ◽  
Emmanouil Dassenakis ◽  
Elias Dimitriou

Reduction of nutrient loadings is often prioritized among other management measures for improving the water quality of freshwaters within the catchment. However, urban point sources and agriculture still thrive as the main drivers of nitrogen and phosphorus pollution in European rivers. With this article we present a nationwide assessment of nitrogen and phosphorus loads that 18 large rivers in Greece receive with the purpose to assess variability among seasons, catchments, and river types and distinguish relationships between loads and land uses of the catchment. We employed an extensive dataset of 636 field measurements of nutrient concentrations and river discharges to calculate nitrogen and phosphorus loads. Descriptive statistics and a cluster analysis were conducted to identify commonalties and differences among catchments and seasons. In addition a network analysis was conducted and its modularity feature was used to detect commonalities among rivers and sampling sites with regard to their nutrient loads. A correlation analysis was used to identify major possible connections between types of land uses and nutrient loads. The results indicated that the rivers Alfeios, Strymonas, and Aliakmonas receive the highest inorganic nitrogen loads while the highest inorganic phosphorus loads were calculated for the rivers Strymonas, Aliakmonas, and Axios. Concerning the temporal variation of loads, inorganic nitrogen presented a peak on March and gradually declined until October when the dry period typically ends for most regions of Greece. Inorganic phosphorus loads had the highest average value in August and the lowest in October. Thus, our findings confirmed the presence of a typical seasonal variation in nitrogen loads that follows the seasonality in hydrology where high surface runoff during the wet months contribute to higher river discharges and higher nitrogen loads from the catchment. On the contrary, high phosphorus loads persisted during dry months that could be attributed to a dilution effect. Furthermore, the results imply a clear connection between agriculture and both nitrogen and phosphorus. Overall, this work presents extensive information on the nitrogen and phosphorus loads that major rivers in Greece receive that can largely aid water managers to adapt and revise basin management plans in accordance with agricultural management (e.g., which months farmers should reduce the use of fertilizers) with the purpose of meeting the environmental targets defined by the Water Framework Directive (WFD).


2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (20) ◽  
pp. 6019-6032 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Valdés ◽  
François Carlotti ◽  
Ruben Escribano ◽  
Katty Donoso ◽  
Marc Pagano ◽  
...  

Abstract. Zooplankton play a key role in the regeneration of nitrogen and phosphorus in the ocean through grazing and metabolism. This study investigates the role of the organic and inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus compounds released by copepods on biogeochemical processes and on the microbial community composition during the OUTPACE cruise (18 February–3 April 2015) at three long-duration stations (LD). Two LD stations were located in the Melanesian Archipelago region (MA; LD A and LD B) and one in the South Pacific Gyre (SG; LD C), which represent oligotrophic and ultra-oligotrophic regions respectively. At each station, on-board microcosm experiments were performed with locally sampled organisms, comprising a mix of epipelagic copepods fed with their natural food and then incubated along with wild microbial assemblages. In the presence of copepods, ammonium and dissolved organic nitrogen showed a significant increase compared to a control in two situations: in ammonium concentration (rate: 0.29 µmol L−1 h−1 after 4 h of incubation) in LD C and in dissolved organic nitrogen concentration (rate: 2.13 µmol L−1 h−1 after 0.5 h of incubation) in LD A. In addition, during the three experiments, an enhanced remineralization (ammonification and nitrification) was observed when adding copepods compared to the controls. A shift in the composition of the active bacterial community was observed for the experiments in LD A and LD B, which were mainly characterized by an increase in Alteromonadales and SAR11, respectively, and linked with changes in nutrient concentrations. In the experiment performed in LD C, both groups increased but at different periods of incubation. Alteromonadales increased between 1 and 2 h after the beginning of the experiment, and SAR 11 at the end of incubation. Our results in near in situ conditions show that copepods can be a source of organic and inorganic compounds for bacterial communities, which respond to excretion pulses at different timescales, depending on the initial environmental conditions and on their community composition. These processes can significantly contribute to nutrient recycling and regenerated production in the photic zone of ultra-oligotrophic and oligotrophic oceanic regions.


Hydrology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 123
Author(s):  
Seth Michael Barrus ◽  
Gustavious Paul Williams ◽  
A. Woodruff Miller ◽  
M. Brett Borup ◽  
LaVere B. Merritt ◽  
...  

We describe modified sampling and analysis methods to quantify nutrient atmospheric deposition (AD) and estimate Utah Lake nutrient loading. We address criticisms of previous published collection methods, specifically collection table height, screened buckets, and assumptions of AD spatial patterns. We generally follow National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) recommendations but deviate to measure lake AD, which includes deposition from both local and long-range sources. The NADP guidelines are designed to eliminate local contributions to the extent possible, while lake AD loads should include local contributions. We collected side-by-side data with tables at 1 m (previous results) and 2 m (NADP guidelines) above the ground at two separate locations. We found no statistically significant difference between data collected at the different heights. Previous published work assumed AD rates would decrease rapidly from the shore. We collected data from the lake interior and show that AD rates do not significantly decline away from the shore. This demonstrates that AD loads should be estimated by using the available data and geostatistical methods even if all data are from shoreline stations. We evaluated screening collection buckets. Standard unscreened AD samples had up to 3-fold higher nutrient concentrations than screened AD collections. It is not clear which samples best represent lake AD rates, but we recommend the use of screens and placed screens on all sample buckets for the majority of the 2020 data to exclude insects and other larger objects such as leaves. We updated AD load estimates for Utah Lake. Previous published estimates computed total AD loads of 350 and 153 tons of total phosphorous (TP) and 460 and 505 tons of dissolve inorganic nitrogen (DIN) for 2017 and 2018, respectively. Using updated collection methods, we estimated 262 and 133 tons of TP and 1052 and 482 tons of DIN for 2019 and 2020, respectively. The 2020 results used screened samplers with lower AD rates, which resulted in significantly lower totals than 2019. We present these modified methods and use data and analysis to support the updated methods and assumptions to help guide other studies of nutrient AD on lakes and reservoirs. We show that AD nutrient loads can be a significant amount of the total load and should be included in load studies.


2007 ◽  
Vol 386 (1-3) ◽  
pp. 103-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeroen Vandenbruwane ◽  
Stefaan De Neve ◽  
Robert G. Qualls ◽  
Joost Salomez ◽  
Georges Hofman

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 277-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rhea K. Foreman ◽  
Karin M. Björkman ◽  
Craig A. Carlson ◽  
Keri Opalk ◽  
David M. Karl

2000 ◽  
Vol 42 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 147-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Herut ◽  
N. Kress ◽  
H. Hornung

This study represents the first attempt to evaluate the nutrient load introduced into the coastal waters by the rivers along the Mediterranean coast of Israel. Measurements of nutrient concentrations (phosphate, ammonium, nitrate, nitrite, silicic acid) at two or three stations along the lower river reaches (11 rivers) were carried out annually from 1990 up to 1998. Combining the nutrient concentrations with the monthly riverine discharges we assessed the nutrient load. In general, most of the coastal rivers contain high nutrient contamination level, compared to the criteria adopted by NOAA (USA) for coastal river estuaries. The high degree of contamination is attributed to extreme low natural flow combined with the discharge of domestic and industrial wastes, and with agriculture runoff. In terms of nutrient concentrations, the Kishon River is the most polluted, followed by the Soreq, Poleg and Alexander Rivers. The preliminary estimate is that the coastal rivers transport between ~2000 to 6000 tons of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and between ~250–800 tons of dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) to the sea. An additional 3500 and 3000 tons of DIN and DIP, respectively, are supplied through the Kishon River. The load of the Poleg River is unknown (no discharge data) but expected to be significant based on nutrient concentration measured. The total load of the coastal rivers constitutes a major component among the other land-base point sources such as the Gush Dan outfall. Our estimate probably represents minimal values, as it does not include diffused input of agricultural runoff nor the riverine particulate and dissolved organic nutrient loads (which are unknown).


2005 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon E. Brodie ◽  
Alan W. Mitchell

In tropical Australia, intensive studies of river suspended sediment (SS) and nutrient dynamics have been restricted to streams on the north-east coast between the Fitzroy and Normanby Rivers (Queensland), Magela Creek/East Alligator River (Northern Territory) and the Ord River (Western Australia). Historical conditions in these rivers were probably characterised by low–moderate SS concentrations and low concentrations of dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus in flow events. Introduction of agriculture has transformed SS and nutrient dynamics. Grazing has led to soil erosion and increased SS and particulate nutrient concentrations and fluxes in event flows. Fertilised cropping has increased nutrient inputs to catchments, where it forms a substantial proportion of the catchment area. Consequently, both particulate and dissolved inorganic nutrient concentrations and fluxes have increased. Australian tropical rivers have episodic flows, with most material transport occurring during large flow events. The restricted period of these highly energetic flows means little trapping of materials in waterways occurs. Loads are transported efficiently downstream and processes such as denitrification and in-channel sedimentation may be of limited importance. Owing to excessive nutrient inputs associated with agriculture, a number of northern freshwater, estuarine and coastal ecosystems are now eutrophic. Continued development, especially fertilised cropping, without adequate management of nutrient losses is likely to exacerbate these problems.


1991 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 990-998 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert C. Wissmar

Small lakes of forested watersheds can receive large subsidies of forest matter, but little is known about the material's role in the cycling of nutrients within these ecosystems. This paper examines the influence of detritus and dissolved nitrogen from a forest on the nitrogen cycle of a small subalpine lake in the Cascade Mountains of Washington during the ice-free period (98 days). Relationships between changing detrital microbial biomass, oxygen uptake rates, and water conditions indicate that dissolved inorganic nitrogen concentrations and water temperatures control the decomposition of the nitrogen-depleted detritus. The microbial respiration rates suggest the probable co-occurrence of several microbial oxidation and reduction reactions that could be cycling nitrogen in oxic–anoxic interfaces of detrital deposits, sediments, and riparian areas. Estimates of nitrogen gains and losses (3 and 7%, respectively) by forest detritus are low in comparison with total nitrogen uptake and releases within the lake during the study period (378 and 347 mg•m−2, respectively) and point to the need to examine other methods for measuring detrital nitrogen fluxes. The total nitrogen input to the lake (2600 mg•m−2 for the study period) from the watershed exceeds the lake output (2120 mg•m−2 for the study period). The low output of total nitrogen appears to be due to retention of dissolved inorganic nitrogen and particulate organic nitrogen within the lake. Most dissolved inorganic nitrogen retained is nitrate suggesting possible losses through denitrification. Dissolved organic nitrogen is the major proportion of the total nitrogen fluxes, but related mass balance errors indicate the need for further definition of both the sources and fates of dissolved organic nitrogen for the ecosystem.


2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 4441-4482 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Xie ◽  
S. Bélanger ◽  
G. Song ◽  
R. Benner ◽  
A. Taalba ◽  
...  

Abstract. Photochemistry of dissolved organic matter (DOM) plays an important role in marine biogeochemical cycles, including the regeneration of inorganic nutrients. DOM photochemistry affects nitrogen cycling by converting bio-refractory dissolved organic nitrogen to labile inorganic nitrogen, mainly ammonium (NH4+). During the August 2009 Mackenzie Light and Carbon (MALINA) Program, the absorbed photon-based efficiency spectra of NH4+ photoproduction (i.e. photoammonification) were determined using water samples from the SE Beaufort Sea, including the Mackenzie River estuary, shelf, and Canada Basin. The photoammonification efficiency decreased with increasing wavelength across the ultraviolet and visible regimes and was higher in offshore waters than in shelf and estuarine waters. The efficiency was positively correlated with the molar nitrogen : carbon ratio of DOM and negatively correlated with the absorption coefficient of chromophoric DOM (CDOM). Combined with collateral measurements of CO2 and CO photoproduction, this study revealed a stoichiometry of DOM photochemistry with a CO2:CO:NH4+ molar ratio of 165:11:1 in the estuary, 60:3:1 on the shelf, and 18:2:1 in the Canada Basin. The NH4+ efficiency spectra, along with solar photon fluxes, CDOM absorption coefficients and sea ice concentrations, were used to model the monthly surface and depth-integrated photoammonification rates in 2009. The summertime (June–August) rates at the surface reached 6.6 nmol l−1 d−1 on the Mackenzie Shelf and 3.7 nmol l−1 d−1 further offshore; the depth-integrated rates were correspondingly 8.8 μmol m−2 d−1 and 11.3 μmol m−2 d−1. The offshore depth-integrated rate in August (8.0 μmol m−2 d−1) was comparable to the missing dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) source required to support the observed primary production in the upper 10-m layer of that area. The yearly NH4+ photoproduction in the entire study area was estimated to be 1.4 × 108 moles, with 85 % of it being generated in summer when riverine DIN input is low. Photoammonification could mineralize 4 % of the annual dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) exported from the Mackenzie River and provide a~DIN source corresponding to 7 % of the riverine DIN discharge and 1400 times the riverine NH4+ flux. Under a climate warming-induced ice-free scenario, these quantities would increase correspondingly to 6 %, 11 %, and 2100 times. Photoammonification is thus a significant nitrogen cycling term and may fuel previously unrecognized autotrophic and heterotrophic production pathways in the surface SE Beaufort Sea.


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