Phosphorus and Nitrogen Dynamics in Streams Associated With Wildfire: a Study of Immediate and Longterm Effects

1998 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 183 ◽  
Author(s):  
FR Hauer ◽  
CN Spencer

Stream nutrient data were collected both during a wildfire and over a subsequent five-year period. Sampling was from a series of paired watersheds located within and outside of the wildfire. Phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations increased from 5 to 60 fold over background levels during the first few days of the month-long wildfire with maximum recorded concentrations as high as 135 μg/L soluble reactive phosphorus, 261 μg/L ammonium, and 61 μg/L nitrate. Total phosphorus and total nitrogen during this same time period increased up to 206 μg/L and 349 mμg/L, respectively. Nutrient concentrations declined to background levels (<5-10 μg/L) within a few weeks after the fire. Over the following five years we observed dissolved nutrient concentrations reaching >40 μg/L soluble reactive phosphorus and >125 μg/L nitrate in impacted streams, concentrations >5 fold over those observed in control streams. In high gradient watersheds, all nutrients were easily transported to the streams with most notable impact during the early years after the fire. In less steep terrain, soluble reactive phosphorus concentrations were significantly higher 3 to 5 years after the fire, which also corresponded to relatively high spring hydrographs. In contrast, nitrogen compounds were observed to be significantly higher in concentration in fire impact streams in the years immediately following the fire. We attribute these differences in the rate of nutrient loads to be the result of the different mobilization mechanisms of phosphorus and nitrogen and the different soil and geomorphic settings of the watersheds drained by the different streams.

2010 ◽  
Vol 61 (10) ◽  
pp. 1197 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Fernanda Adame ◽  
Bernardino Virdis ◽  
Catherine E. Lovelock

One of the key ecosystem services provided by mangroves is their role in mediating nutrient exchange, thereby protecting coastal ecosystems from negative impacts of nutrient enrichment. In this study, we tested whether geomorphological setting and level of rainfall affect the intensity and direction of nutrient exchange. Our hypotheses were that tidal mangroves retain more nutrients than riverine mangroves and that nutrient retention is stronger during periods of high rainfall. Concentrations of soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), nitrogen oxides (NOx–-N) and ammonium (NH4+) were measured from water entering and leaving the mangroves during tidal cycles. Our results show that nutrient concentrations were higher in the flood tide compared with the ebb tide by up to 28% for NOx–-N, 51% for SRP and 83% for NH4+, suggesting retention by the mangroves. Geomorphological setting determined nutrient exchange to some extent, with some riverine sites receiving more nutrients than tidal sites and thus, being more important in nutrient retention. Rainfall was important in determining nutrient exchange as it enhanced SRP and NH4+ retention. These results show that mangroves can improve water quality of creeks and rivers, and underscore the need for conservation of mangroves over a range of geomorphological settings.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simeon Choo ◽  
Olaf Dellwig ◽  
Janine Wäge-Recchioni ◽  
Heide Schulz-Vogt

&lt;p&gt;There is a longstanding principle that the uppermost layer of aquatic sediment is the primary regulator of nutrient loads in the bottom water zone, pertaining to the fact that it is significantly biological in nature and thus the site of a myriad of biota-associated processes. Nevertheless, although this principle is seemingly obvious, there is unusually scant literature corroborating the impact of the uppermost sediment layer on water column nutrient fluxes, in particular soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP). It has also been theorized that in certain environments, large bacteria play a major role in phosphorus cycling in the sediment. This challenges the prevailing dogma that the control of bottom water phosphate (PO&lt;sub&gt;4&lt;/sub&gt;&lt;sup&gt;3-&lt;/sup&gt;) is mainly attributed to the SRP flux contribution from iron (Fe) oxide-bound P in sediment or remineralisation under anoxia and warming conditions respectively. In this study, elevated temperature as well as anoxic incubation treatments were set up to demonstrate that in response to an increased level of PO&lt;sub&gt;4&lt;/sub&gt;&lt;sup&gt;3-&lt;/sup&gt; being released under stressful conditions, the topmost bed sediment layer (TBSL) has an unmistakable impact on P sequestration and stabilisation of the bottom water PO&lt;sub&gt;4&lt;/sub&gt;&lt;sup&gt;3-&lt;/sup&gt; fluxes. Likewise, we also show that large filamentous microorganisms residing in the TBSL were seemingly active in polyphosphate (polyP) accumulation during these stress-inducing conditions. This therefore strongly points to a new and important biological sink for the SRP flux at the benthic layer of an aquatic environment.&lt;/p&gt;


Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 3246
Author(s):  
Gabriele Weigelhofer ◽  
Tania Sosa Jirón ◽  
Tz-Ching Yeh ◽  
Gertraud Steniczka ◽  
Matthias Pucher

Agriculture delivers significant amounts of dissolved organic matter (DOM) to streams, thereby changing the composition and biodegradability of the aquatic DOM. This study focuses on the interactive effects of DOM quality and biofilm composition on the degradation of DOM in a laboratory flume experiment. Half of the flumes were exposed to light to stimulate algal growth, the other half was shaded. Leachates of deciduous leaves, maize leaves, and cow dung were added to the flumes in a single pulse and changes of DOC (dissolved organic carbon) and nutrient concentrations, DOM composition (absorbance and fluorescence data), chlorophyll-a concentrations, bacterial abundances, and enzymatic activities were recorded over a week. DOM was taken up with rates of 50, 109, and 136 µg DOC L−1 h−1 for dung, leaf, and maize leachates, respectively, in the light flumes and 37, 80, and 170 µg DOC L−1 h−1 in the dark flumes. DOC uptake correlated strongly with initial SRP (soluble reactive phosphorus) and DOC concentrations, but barely with DOM components and indices. Algae mostly stimulated the microbial DOC uptake, but the effects differed among differently aged biofilms. We developed a conceptual model of intrinsic (DOM quality) and external (environmental) controlling factors on DOM degradation, with the microbial community acting as biotic filter.


2002 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 403-420
Author(s):  
C. Neal

Abstract. The effect of felling on stream nitrate, ammonium and soluble reactive phosphate (SRP) concentrations is examined for acidic and acid sensitive Sitka Spruce afforested catchments with podzolic and gley soils in mid-Wales. For the streams draining the felled podzolic areas, the concentrations of nitrate can be up to an order of magnitude higher than pre-fell values and post-fell concentrations can even be lower than the pre-fell values. Felling for the podzolic soils barely leads to any changes in ammonium or SRP concentration. For the gley soils, felling results in an order of magnitude increase in nitrate, ammonium and SRP for a small drainage ditch, but the pulse is much reduced before it reaches the main Nant Tanllwyth channel. Rather, within-catchment and within-stream processes not only imbibe nitrate, ammonium and SRP fluxes generated, but in the case of nitrate, concentrations with- and post-felling are lower than pre-felling concentrations. The flux changes involved are described in terms of (a) input-output relationships and (b) "felling disruption" and "felling recovery responses". The findings are linked to issues of hydrobiological controls and forestry management. Keywords: Plynlimon, Hafren, Hore, streams, nitrate, ammonium, SRP, phosphorus, soluble reactive phosphorus, phosphate, orthophosphate, Sitka spruce, forestry, felling, podzol, gley


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly Van Meter ◽  
Nandita Basu ◽  
Danyka Byrnes

&lt;p&gt;Changes in seasonal climate regimes, and related changes in seasonal nutrient dynamics, are occurring across a range of climates and land use types. Although it is known that seasonal patterns in nutrient availability are key drivers of both stream metabolism and eutrophication, there has been little success in developing a comprehensive understanding of seasonal variations in nutrient export across watersheds or of the relationship between nutrient seasonality and watershed characteristics. In the present study, we have used concentration and discharge data from more than 200 stations across US and Canadian watersheds to identify (1) archetypal seasonal concentration regimes for nitrate, soluble reactive phosphorus, and total phosphorus, and (2) dominant watershed controls on these regimes across a gradient of climate, land use, and topography. Our analysis shows that less impacted watersheds, with more forested and wetland area, most commonly exhibit concentration regimes that are in phase with discharge, with concentration lows occurring during summer low-flow periods. Agricultural watersheds also commonly exhibit in-phase behavior, though the seasonality is usually muted compared to that seen in less impacted areas. With increasing urban area, however, nutrient concentrations frequently become essentially aseasonal or even exhibit clearly out-of-phase behavior. In addition, our data indicate that seasonal SRP concentration patterns may be strongly influenced by proximal controls such as the presence of dams and reservoirs. In all, these results suggest that human activity is significantly altering nutrient concentration regimes, with large potential consequences for both in-stream metabolism and eutrophication risk in downstream water bodies.&lt;/p&gt;


2007 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 265-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ozeas S. Costa Jr.

Spatial, temporal and anthropogenic controls on nutrient distribution were evaluated for nearshore and offshore reefs at Porto Seguro Bay, Southern Bahia. Water samples were analysed for total oxidised nitrogen (TON), soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), reactive silica (DSi), and chlorophyll a (Chl). The results indicate that rainfall promotes a significant (F=19.873, p<0.001) increase in the load of nutrients to nearshore (average 12% increase) and offshore reefs (average 31% increase). Nutrient concentrations at the urbanized reef (TON=1.93-3.21µM; SRP=0.57-0.89µM; DSi=8.48-11.15µM) are on average 25% higher than at non-urban reefs and over 200% higher than the offshore reef. The urbanized reef also presented the highest rates of increase in nutrient input between dry and rainy seasons (TON=+0.36µM; SRP=+0.08µM; DSi=+0.70µM). Differences in nutrient concentration between nearshore and offshore reefs are more pronounced during dry season, when the bulk of land-based nutrient contribution is confined to the nearshore reefs. SRP values in the study area ranked among the highest in the world for coral reef areas and phytoplankton growth appears to be nitrogen-limited.


Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 1947
Author(s):  
Ling Su ◽  
Chen Zhong ◽  
Lei Gan ◽  
Xiaolin He ◽  
Jinlei Yu ◽  
...  

The application of lanthanum modified bentonite (Phoslock®) and polyaluminium chloride (PAC) is popular in the restoration of European temperate lakes; however, the effects of the application on the concentrations of phosphorus (P) in both the water and the sediments have been poorly evaluated to date. We studied the effects of the application of Phoslock® + PAC on the concentrations of total phosphorus (TP), particulate phosphorus (PP), soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), total suspended solids (TSS) and chlorophyll a (Chla) in the water, and different P forms in the sediments, in an isolated part of Lake Yanglan. The results showed that the concentrations of TP, PP, SRP, TSS and Chla decreased significantly after the addition of Phoslock® + PAC. Moreover, the concentrations of labile-P, reductant-soluble-P and organic-P in the sediments were also significantly decreased after the Phoslock® + PAC application. However, the concentrations of both the stable apatite-P and residual-P in the sediments after application of Phoslock® + PAC were much higher than the pre-addition values, while the concentrations of metal-oxide-P did not differ significantly between the pre- and post- application conditions. Our findings imply that the combined application of Phoslock® and PAC can be used in the restoration of subtropical shallow lakes, to reduce the concentrations of P in the water and suppress the release of P from the sediments.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Qing Xu ◽  
Xiaoping Yu ◽  
Yafei Guo ◽  
Tianlong Deng ◽  
Yu-Wei Chen ◽  
...  

Overlying sediment and pore waters were collected in summer and winter at upstream (Jintang) and downstream (Neijiang) sites of the Tuohe River, which is one of the five largest tributaries of the Yangtze River in China. Phosphorus species, including soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), soluble unreactive phosphorus (SUP), and total dissolved phosphorus (TDP), and some diagenetic constituents including dissolved Fe(II), Mn(II), and sulfide in overlying and pore waters, were measured systematically. The seasonal variations and vertical distributions of phosphorus species in overlying and pore waters at both sampling sites were obtained to elucidate some aspects of the transport and transformations of phosphorus. Based on the profiles of pore and overlying waters as well as the TDN/TDP data during an algal bloom in 2007, it was clearly demonstrated that phosphorus was the main factor limiting the phytoplankton growth in the Tuohe River.


2014 ◽  
Vol 122 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 229-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauriane Vilmin ◽  
Najla Aissa-Grouz ◽  
Josette Garnier ◽  
Gilles Billen ◽  
Jean-Marie Mouchel ◽  
...  

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