Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Sediment and pore water composition as a basis for the trophic evaluation of standing waters

  • Primary Research Paper
  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Sediments and pore water samples from four reservoirs in eastern Germany with different trophic characteristics have been examined (Neunzehnhain I – oligotrophic; Muldenberg – oligotrophic, dystrophic; Saidenbach – mesotrophic; Quitzdorf – highly eutrophic). Several parameters were analyzed regarding the dependence on the trophic state and the possibility to use them for the trophic evaluation of standing waters. The strongest influence of the trophic state could be found in the case of the parameters SRP, alkalinity and ammonium in the pore water. For the dry sediment, it could be concluded that the most important factor affecting the trophic state is the ratios of Fe:P and Al:P, which were summarized to a metal:phosphorus sum ratio (MPS) and showed a clear threshold value for the potential to immobilize phosphorus in the sediment. Also, with the P fractions of the sediment samples, differences between the trophic levels became evident. Higher percentages of the reductively soluble, iron-bound fraction and of the biogenic fraction occurred in the reservoirs with higher trophic state, while comparitively higher percentages of the stable aluminum-bound fraction could be measured in the reservoirs with lower trophic state.

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

Abbreviations

BD:

bicarbonate-dithionite-extractant

DW:

dry weight

MPS:

metal:phosphorus sum ratio

Mul:

Muldenberg

Neu:

Neunzehnhain

NRP:

non-reactive phosphorus

POC:

particulate organic carbon

Qui:

Quitzdorf

R.:

reservoir

Sai:

Saidenbach

SRP:

soluble reactive phosphorus

TP:

total phosphorus

References

  • Berner, R. A., 1980. Early Diagenesis: A Theoretical Approach. Princeton University Press.

  • P. C. M. Boers W. Raaphorst Particlevan T. D. Molen Particlevan der (1998) ArticleTitlePhosphorus retention in sediments Water Science and Technology 37 31–39 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0273-1223(98)00053-5 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXjt1Orsrc%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • B. Boström M. Jansson C. Forsberg (1982) ArticleTitlePhosphorus release from lake sediments Archiv für Hydrobiologie - Advances in Limnology 18 5–59

    Google Scholar 

  • N. F. Caraco J. J. Cole G. E. Likens (1989) ArticleTitleEvidence for sulphate-controlled phosphorus release from aquatic systems Nature 341 316–318

    Google Scholar 

  • V. Clavero M. J. Garcia-Sanchez F. X. Niell J. A. Fernandez (1997) ArticleTitleInfluence of sulfate enrichment on the carbon dioxide and phosphate fluxes across the sediment-water interface Hydrobiologia 345 59–65 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1002962812686 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXlt1GitL0%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • D. Davelaar (1993) ArticleTitleEcological significance of bacterial polyphosphate metabolism in sediments Hydrobiologia 253 179–192 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK3sXktlertr8%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • M. B. David M. J. Mitchell (1985) ArticleTitleSulfur constituents and cycling in waters, seston and sediments of an oligotrophic lake Limnology and Oceanography 30 1196–1207 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL28XpsV2ktw%3D%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • R. Gächter J. S. Meyer (1993) ArticleTitleThe role of microorganisms in mobilization and fixation of phosphorus in sediments Hydrobiologia 253 103–121

    Google Scholar 

  • G. Giordani M. Bartoli M. Cattadori P. Viaroli (1996) ArticleTitleSulphide release from anoxic sediments in relation to iron availability and organic matter recalcitrance and its effects on inorganic phosphorus recycling Hydrobiologia 329 211–222 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF00034559 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK28XmslKkurs%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • W. Goedkopp K. Pettersson (2000) ArticleTitleSeasonal changes in sediment phosphorus forms in relation to sedimentation and benthic bacterial biomass in Lake Erken Hydrobiologia 431 41–50 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1004050204587

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R. H. Hesslein (1976) ArticleTitleAn in situ sampler for close interval pore water studies Limnology and Oceanography 22 913–915

    Google Scholar 

  • J. Hilton (1985) ArticleTitleA conceptional framework for predicting the occurence of sediment focusing and sediment redistribution in small lakes Limnology and Oceanography 30 IssueID6 1131–1143

    Google Scholar 

  • Hupfer, M. & R. Gächter, 1995. Einfluß der hypolimnischen Belüftung auf den Phosphorhaushalt des Sempachersees (Schweiz). – In Jaeger, D. & R. Koschel (eds), Verfahren zur Sanierung und Restaurierung stehender Gewässer. Limnologie aktuell 8: 99–114. Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart.

  • M. Hupfer B. Rübe P. Schmieder (2004) ArticleTitleOrigin and diagenesis of polyphosphate in lake sediments: A 31P NMR study Limnology and Oceanography 49 IssueID1 1–10 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXhsVeltrg%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • M. Hupfer D. Uhlmann (1991) ArticleTitleMicrobially mediated phosphorus exchange across the mud-water-interface Verhandlungen der Internationalen Vereinigung für Limnologie 24 IssueID3 2999–3003

    Google Scholar 

  • H. S. Jensen P. Kristensen R. Jeppesen A. Skytthe (1992) ArticleTitleIron:Phosphorus ratio in surface sediments as an indicator of phosphate release from aerobic sediments in shallow lakes Hydrobiologia 235/236 731–743 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF00026261

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • H. Klapper W. Rast D. Uhlmann (1989) Classification of water bodies in relation to their desired uses S. O. Ryding W Rast (Eds) The ontrol of Eutrophication of Lakes and Reservoirs UNESCO Paris and Parthenon Publication Group New Jersey

    Google Scholar 

  • A. Kleeberg G. E. Dudel (1997) ArticleTitleChanges in extent of phosphorus release in a shallow lake (Lake Grosser Müggelsee; Germany, Berlin) due to climatic factors and load Marine Geology 139 61–75 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0025-3227(96)00099-0 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXjtlCnt7w%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • A. Kleeberg (1997) ArticleTitleInteractions between benthic phosphorus release and sulfur cycling in Lake Scharmuetzelsee (Germany) Water, Air and Soil Pollution 99 391–399

    Google Scholar 

  • J. Kopáček J. Heizlar J. Burivec P. Porcal I. Kotorová (2000) ArticleTitlePhosphorus inactivation by aluminium in the water column and sediments: Lowering of in-lake phosphorus availability in an acidified watershed-lake ecosystem Limnology and Oceanography 45 IssueID1 212–225

    Google Scholar 

  • InstitutionalAuthorNameLAWA (Länderarbeitsgemeinschaft Wasser) (1998) Vorläufige Richtlinie von natürlich entstandenen Seen nach trophischen Kriterien Kulturbuch-Verlag Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Maassen, S., 2003. Vergleichende Untersuchungen über den potentiellen Eintrag von Nährstoffen in den Wasserkörper von Talsperren durch Freisetzung aus dem Sediment. Dissertation Technical University Dresden.

  • C. H. Mortimer (1941) ArticleTitleThe exchange of dissolved substances between mud and lake water in lakes Journal of Ecology 29 280–329 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaH2cXjtVKjtg%3D%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • C. H. Mortimer (1942) ArticleTitleThe exchange of dissolved substances between mud and lake water in lakes Journal of Ecology 30 147–201 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaH2cXjtVKjtw%3D%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • T. E. Murray (1995) ArticleTitleThe correlation between iron sulfide precipitation and hypolimnetic phosphorus accumulation during one summer in a soft water lake Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 52 1190–1194 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2MXpvF2itbs%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • G. K. Nürnberg (1991) ArticleTitlePhosphorus from internal sources in the Laurentian Great Lakes and the concept of threshold external load Journal of Great Lakes Research 17 IssueID1 132–140

    Google Scholar 

  • G. K. Nürnberg (1996) ArticleTitleComment: Phosphorus budgets and stoichiometry during the open-water season in two unmanipulated lakes in the Experimental Lakes Area, northwestern Ontario Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 53 1469–1471

    Google Scholar 

  • InstitutionalAuthorNameOECD (Organization for Economic Co-Operation) (1982) Eutrophication of waters – Monitoring, assessment and control OECD-Publication Paris.

    Google Scholar 

  • W. Ohle (1952) ArticleTitleDie hypolimnische Kohlendioxid-Akkumulation als produktionsbiologischer Indikator Archiv für Hydrobiologie 46 153–285

    Google Scholar 

  • W. Ohle (1954) ArticleTitleSulfat als “Katalysator” des limnischen Stoffkreislaufes Vom Wasser 21 13–32

    Google Scholar 

  • M. R. Penn M. T. Auer E. L. Orman Particlevan J. J. Korienek (1995) ArticleTitlePhosphorus diagenesis in lake sediments: investigations using fractionation techniques Marine and Freshwater Research 46 89–99 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2MXoslantLo%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • K. Pettersson (1986) The fractional composition of phosphorus in lake sediments of different characteristics P.G. Sly (Eds) Sediment and water interactions, Proceedings of the 3rd International Symposium on the Interactions between Sediments and Water Springer-Verlag New York

    Google Scholar 

  • K. Pettersson (1998) ArticleTitleMechanisms for internal loading of phosphorus in lakes Hydrobiologia 374 21–25 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1017011420035

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • E. L. Petticrew J. M. Arocena (2001) ArticleTitleEvaluation of iron–phosphate as a source on internal lake phosphorus loadings Science of the Total Environment 266 87–93 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0048-9697(00)00756-7 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXhtFSnu7c%3D Occurrence Handle11258838

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • R. Psenner R. Pucsko M. Sager (1984) ArticleTitleDie Fraktionierung organischer und anorganischer Phosphorverbindungen von Sedimenten Archiv für Hydrobiologie/Beiheft 70 111–155 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL2MXhvFOjsLk%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • E. E. Roden J. W. Edmonds (1997) ArticleTitlePhosphate mobilization in iron-rich anaerobic sediments: microbial Fe(III) oxide reduction versus iron-sulfide formation Archiv für Hydrobiologie 139 347–378 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXksVOksbk%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • J. W. M. Rudd C. A. Kelly A. Furutani (1986) ArticleTitleThe role of sulfate reduction in long-term accumulation of organic and inorganic sulfur in lake sediments Limnology and Oceanography 31 1281–1292 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL2sXhtVOmurs%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • E. Rydin B. Huser E. Welch (2000) ArticleTitleAmount of phosphorus inactivated by alum treatments in Washington lakes Limnology and Oceanography 45 IssueID1 226–230 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXpt1eruw%3D%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • L. A. Sherman P. L. Brezonik L. A. Baker E. P. Weir (1994) ArticleTitleSediment pore water dynamics of Little Rock Lake, Wisconsin: Geochemical processes, seasonal and spatial variability Limnology and Oceanography 39 1155–1171 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2MXitVWjsLg%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sieber, H.-U., 1992. Talsperren in Sachsen. Landestalsperrenverwaltung des Freistaates Sachsen (ed), Pirna.

  • A. Sinke A. Cornelese T. Cappenberg A. Zehnder (1992) ArticleTitleSeasonal variation in sulfate reduction and methanogenesis in peaty sediments of eutrophic lake Loosdrecht, the Netherlands Biogeochemistry 15 19–37

    Google Scholar 

  • A. Sinke A. Cornelese P. Keizer O. Tongeren ParticleVan T. Cappenberg (1990) ArticleTitleMineralization, pore water chemistry and phosphorus release from peaty sediments in the eutrophic Loosdrecht lakes, the Netherlands Freshwater Biology 23 587–599 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK3MXivFKltQ%3D%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • M. Søndergaard (1989) ArticleTitlePhosphorus release from a hypertrophic lake sediment: experiments with intact sediment cores in␣a continuous flow system Archiv für Hydrobiologie 116 45–59

    Google Scholar 

  • B. Thamdrup D. E. Canfield (1996) ArticleTitlePathways of carbon oxidation in continental margin sediments off Central Chile Limnology and Oceanography 41 1629–1650 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXis1OqurY%3D Occurrence Handle11540503

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • D. Uhlmann M. Hupfer C. Appelt (1997) ArticleTitleComposition of sediments in drinking water reservoirs as a basis for the assessment of potential changes in water quality Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology - Aqua 46 IssueID2 84–94 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXjs1Chu7s%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • D. Uhlmann L. Paul (1994) ArticleTitleCauses and effects of “nitrate saturation” in phosphate-deficient water bodies Water Science and Technology 10 281–288

    Google Scholar 

  • D. Uhlmann I. Röske M. Hupfer G. Ohms (1990) ArticleTitleA simple method to distinguish between polyphosphate and other fractions of activated sludge Water Research 24 IssueID11 1355–1360 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK3MXhtFKlsw%3D%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • N. R. Urban P. L. Brezonik L. A. Baker L. A. Sherman (1994) ArticleTitleSulfate reduction and diffusion in sediments of Little Rock Lake, Wisconsin Limnology and Oceanography 39 797–815 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2cXms1arsbs%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • D. T. Molen Particlevan der P. C. N. Boers (1994) ArticleTitleInfluence of internal loading on phosphorus concentration in shallow lakes before and after reduction of external loading Hydrobiologia 275/276 379–389

    Google Scholar 

  • T. D. Waite I. C. Wrigley R. Szymczak (1988) ArticleTitlePhotoassisted dissolution of a colloidal manganese oxide in the presence of fulvic acid Environmental Science and Technology 22 IssueID7 778–785 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL1cXktFWhtbg%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. Sebastian Maassen

    Present address: ZALF, Leibniz Center for Agricultural Landscape and Landuse Research, Institute of Primary Production and Microbial Ecology, Eberswalder Str. 84, 15517, Muencheberg

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Saxonian Academy of Sciences, Limnology Group, c/o Institute of Hydrobiology, University of Technology, 01062, Dresden, Germany

    Dietrich Uhlmann

  2. Institute of Microbiology, University of Technology, 01062, Dresden, Germany

    Isolde Röske

Authors
  1. Sebastian Maassen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Dietrich Uhlmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Isolde Röske
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sebastian Maassen.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Maassen, S., Uhlmann, D. & Röske, I. Sediment and pore water composition as a basis for the trophic evaluation of standing waters. Hydrobiologia 543, 55–70 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-004-5946-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-004-5946-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation