DO WETLANDS BEHAVE LIKE SHALLOW LAKES IN TERMS OF PHOSPHORUS DYNAMICS?1

ABSTRACT: The applicability of empirical relationships governing phosphorus (P) retention and nutrient assimilation in lakes and reservoirs was extended to include free surface water wetland treatment systems. Mixed reactor models have been used in lakes to predict steady state P concentration, characterize trophic state, compare P‐dynamics, and predict permissible P‐loading rates. Applying lake models to free surface water wetlands treatment systems, it was found that: sedimentation rates, loading rates, and settling velocity in these wetlands, and their typology are comparable to their lake counterparts. The analyses also suggest that phosphorus removal efficiency in a free surface water wetland treatment system is independent of trophic status, and similar to lakes, these wetlands can be classified according to their trophic state. Oligo‐and eutrophic wetland treatment systems can be defined by low and high TP inflow concentrations, respectively. In this study, olig‐otrophic status is defined as systems receiving inflow P‐loading less than 0.10 g m^‐2 year‐¹, and their P inputs are mainly derived from agricultural and stormwater runoff. Eutrophic treatment systems, on the other hand, are defined as those receiving inflow P‐loading higher than 0.20 g m² year‐¹, and their inputs are mainly derived from industrial and municipal wastewater. The comparability found between lakes and free surface water wetlands treatment systems raises the question: should we consider these wetlands “shallow lakes?”     

Apportionment of bioavailable phosphorus loads entering Cayuga Lake,New York

The integration of the phosphorus (P) bioavailability concept into a P loading analysis for Cayuga Lake, New York, is documented. Components of the analyses included the: (1) monitoring of particulate P (PP), soluble unreactive P (SUP), and soluble reactive P (SRP), supported by biweekly and runoff event‐based sampling of the lake's four largest tributaries; (2) development of relationships between tributary P concentrations and flow; (3) algal bioavailability assays of PP, SUP, and SRP from primary tributaries and the three largest point sources; and (4) development of P loading estimates to apportion contributions according to individual nonpoint and point sources, and to represent the effects of interannual variations in tributary flows on P loads. Tributary SRP, SUP, and PP are demonstrated to be completely, mostly, and less bioavailable, respectively. The highest mean bioavailability for PP was observed for the stream with the highest agriculture land use. Point source contributions to the total bioavailable P load (BAP_L) are minor (5%), reflecting the benefit of reductions from recent treatment upgrades. The BAP_L represented only about 26% of the total P load, because of the large contribution of the low bioavailable PP component. Most of BAP_L (>70%) is received during high flow intervals. Large interannual variations in tributary flow and coupled BAP_L will tend to mask future responses to changes in individual inputs.     

近35a长江中游大型通江湖泊季节性水情变化规律研究

长江中游自然通江的洞庭湖和鄱阳湖,在长期的季风气候以及江湖交互作用下形成了相对稳定的涨-丰-退-枯季节性水位波动模式。近几十年来,受水利工程及气候变化的双重影响,两湖季节性水情均发生了显著改变。揭示和对比两湖季节性水位波动近年来的变化趋势及强度并分析其形成的可能原因,对于指导两湖地区的湖泊管理与实践,理解长江中游江湖关系演变现状具有重要意义。基于此,以2003年为断点(即1980~2002年与2003~2014年两时段),首先通过湖区多站点水文要素的单因素方差分析揭示两湖各自的季节性水情变化特征;然后通过两湖季节性水情变化状况的对比,分析长江中游大型通江湖泊水情变化的规律及其形成原因。得出的主要结论如下:(1)2003年后,涨水期和枯水期的两湖水情均呈偏枯趋势,且水位降幅均在由上游到中游的过程中扩大,由中游到下游的过程中减小,甚至涨水和枯水期的洞庭湖下游湖区还出现了水位的小幅抬升。(2)2003年后,丰水期和退水期的洞庭湖偏枯趋势呈现不同的空间分异,丰水期的洞庭湖水位下降程度在上、中游湖区更为剧烈,而退水期的水位下降程度在中、下游湖区更为剧烈。与此同时段的鄱阳湖偏枯趋势在丰水期和退水期均在由上游至下游的过程中增加。(3)2003年后的洞庭湖水位降幅在各个季节各个湖区均显著小于位于其下游的鄱阳湖。江湖关系对两湖及其不同湖区的作用方式和强度的差异是造成两湖季节性水情演变差异的主要原因。     

Sources and Sinks of Phosphorus for a Perturbed Stream and the Effects of Mineral Deposits1

Effler, Steven W., Anthony R. Prestigiacomo, David A. Matthews, and Feng Peng, 2012. Sources and Sinks of Phosphorus for a Perturbed Stream and the Effects of Mineral Deposits. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 48(2): 321‐335. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752‐1688.2011.00617.x Abstract: Patterns of concentrations and loading rates of multiple forms of phosphorus (P) are resolved and analyzed along Ninemile Creek, New York, a stream perturbed by a domestic waste discharge and residual effects of a closed industry. This analysis is based on biweekly monitoring of total, dissolved, and soluble reactive P (SRP) for 19 months at four sites that bracket each of these effects, and 15 years of biweekly measurements at the two sites that bound industrial deposits. The minerogenic particle populations of the stream and the surficial sediments along the reach with extensive CaCO₃ and clay mineral deposits are characterized with an individual particle analysis technique. Mass balance analyses depict: (1) increasing nonpoint inputs of particulate and dissolved organic P along the stream length; (2) input of P from a domestic waste facility, almost entirely in the form of SRP; and (3) a compensating downstream loss of SRP over the reach with the extensive industrial deposits of CaCO₃. The downstream sink process for SRP is attributed to sorption processes with minerogenic deposits. The domestic waste‐based source and the compensating industrial waste‐based sink are noteworthy fluxes relative to other prevailing loads received by downstream Onondaga Lake, for which a major rehabilitation program targeting cultural eutrophication is underway. The P source/sink conditions of this stream are considered in the context of this rehabilitation program.     

Observations and Modeling of Stream Plunging in an Urban Lake1

Owens, Emmet M., Steven W. Effler, Anthony R. Prestigiacomo, David A. Matthews, and Susan M. O’Donnell, 2012. Observations and Modeling of Stream Plunging in an Urban Lake. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 48(4): 707‐721. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752‐1688.2012.00646.x Abstract: The plunging behavior of two tributaries in Onondaga Lake, New York, is quantified based on a program of monitoring, process studies, and modeling. The dynamics of buoyancy of the tributaries are resolved with hourly measurements of temperature (T), specific conductance (SC), and turbidity (Tn) at the mouths, and observations every 6 h in the lake. Negative buoyancy of the tributaries is found to diminish and change rapidly during runoff events compared to dry periods. In‐lake patterns of the transport of plunging inflow are resolved for dry weather conditions using a dye tracer, and following a runoff event through measurements of T, SC, and Tn. The hydrodynamic/transport model ELCOM (Estuary Lake and Coastal Ocean Model) is demonstrated to perform well in simulating these patterns. Analyses conducted with the model establish the importance of diurnal effects and in‐lake mixing mediated by wind, the need for temporally detailed measurements during runoff events, and modifications of the plunging behavior of the urban tributary as it passes through a harbor. The model provides critical information to support rehabilitation programs for the lake by quantifying the transport of the two largest tributaries, particularly the distribution of the loads between the upper waters and stratified layers. The model predicts that 10% of the urban tributary load enters the upper waters of the lake within 24 h for a dry weather period; this portion increases to 30% for a runoff event.     

Lake Temperature and Ice Cover Regimes in the Alaskan Subarctic and Arctic: Integrated Monitoring,Remote Sensing,and Modeling1

Arp, C.D., B.M. Jones, M. Whitman, A. Larsen, and F.E. Urban, 2010. Lake Temperature and Ice Cover Regimes in the Alaskan Subarctic and Arctic: Integrated Monitoring, Remote Sensing, and Modeling. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 46(4): 777-791. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2010.00451.x Abstract: Lake surface regimes are fundamental attributes of lake ecosystems and their interaction with the land and atmosphere. High latitudes may be particularly sensitive to climate change, however, adequate baselines for these lakes are often lacking. In this study, we couple monitoring, remote sensing, and modeling techniques to generate baseline datasets of lake surface temperature and ice cover in the Alaskan Subarctic and Arctic. No detectable trends were observed during this study period, but a number of interesting patterns were noted among lakes and between regions. The largest Arctic lake was relatively unresponsive to air temperature, while the largest Subarctic lake was very responsive likely because it is fed by glacial runoff. Mean late summer water temperatures were higher than air temperatures with differences ranging from 1.7 to 5.4°C in Subarctic lakes and from 2.4 to 3.2°C in Arctic lakes. The warmest mean summer water temperature in both regions was in 2004, with the exception of Subarctic glacially fed lake that was highest in 2005. Ice-out timing had high coherence within regions and years, typically occurring in late May in Subarctic and in early-July in Arctic lakes. Ice-on timing was more dependent on lake size and depth, often varying among lakes within a region. Such analyses provide an important baseline of lake surface regimes at a time when there is increasing interest in high-latitude water ecosystems and resources during an uncertain climate future.     

太湖水环境时空演变及污染特征分析

分析研究太湖30年来的水质演变及近年来的水文径流数据,得出了太湖中存在的主要湖流。同时结合太湖特定的地理条件及水文特点,将大太湖分成湖岸区、过渡区和湖心区,对比分析了各个湖区间水质的相互影响及变化规律,得出了太湖的主要污染特征。     

中国中部高山湖泊记录的小冰期水热配置不同模态

小冰期水热配置模态在中国南北方存在明显差异,敏感响应于气候变化的高山湖泊在小冰期阶段水热变化模式仍缺乏研究。选取中国中部两个高山湖泊——太白山玉皇池与六盘山东海子的沉积物岩心为研究对象,基于总有机碳（TOC）、总有机氮（TN）,碳氮比（C/N）等地球化学指标,并结合已发表的水文数据,重建了东海子和玉皇池近2 ka来的水热变化模态。结果显示：近2 ka气候变化主要受太阳辐射影响,在900 AD之前,两个湖泊区域气候同为冷湿,中世纪暖期（900—1300 AD）转为暖干;在小冰期（1300—1800 AD）时期水热组合不同,东海子降水与温度呈同步下降趋势,主要受控于东亚夏季风,而处于东海子东南方向的玉皇池表现为降水的持续增加,可能受加强的印度季风和厄尔尼诺-南方涛动（ENSO）的共同影响。     

Bottomfast Ice Mapping and the Measurement of Ice Thickness on Tundra Lakes Using C‐Band Synthetic Aperture Radar Remote Sensing1

Abstract: Industrial activity in Canada’s north is increasing, placing demands on the use of water from lakes to build ice roads. Winter water withdrawal from these lakes has the potential to impact overwintering fish. Removal of water from small lakes can decrease oxygen and habitat available to fish. To address this issue, a protocol has been developed by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans outlining water withdrawal thresholds. Bathymetric surveys are the traditional method to determine lake depth, but are costly given the remoteness of northern lakes. This paper investigates the use of satellite C‐band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) remote sensing technology as a potential alternative or complement to traditional survey methods. Previous research has shown that a SAR can detect the transition from grounded to floating ice on lakes, or if a lake is completely frozen. Grounded ice has a dark signature while floating ice appears very bright in contrast. Similar results were observed for the datasets acquired in the study area. This suggests that lakes that freeze completely to the bottom can be identified using SAR. Such water bodies would not be viable fish overwintering habitat and can therefore be used as water sources without thresholds necessary. However, attempts to accurately calculate the depth of the ice at the grounded‐floating ice boundary using bathymetric profiles acquired in the summer and lake ice thickness measurements from a reference lake near Inuvik proved to be unreliable.     

A Review of Water Level Fluctuations on Aquatic Biota With an Emphasis on Fishes in Ice‐Covered Lakes1

Abstract: The effects of water level fluctuations on fish and other aquatic biota, with an emphasis on winter water withdrawal in northern regions is reviewed. Water demands for population growth and development are adding pressure on water reserves, particularly when coupled with changing climatic conditions. Water level fluctuations can have adverse effects on the environment, most notably to hydrologic and biotic processes ranging in magnitude from the micro‐scale to landscape level. Water level management of lakes and reservoirs can affect all forms of aquatic biota. The severity of effect is dependant on the magnitude, duration and timing of the fluctuation, and the species exposed. In northwestern Canada and northern Alaska, water is withdrawn from water bodies to construct ice‐roads and other winter based developments. Biota in small, isolated water bodies are particularly sensitive to reductions in winter water levels. Water withdrawals can reduce the oxygen available to overwintering fish, while reduced water levels can reduce habitat for fish and furbearers, and freeze littoral areas killing plants, invertebrates, and fish eggs. Regulatory winter water withdrawal thresholds have been developed in the Northwest Territories and Alaska and continue to be refined as new data becomes available. The use of thresholds can help minimize or avoid negative impacts to the environment, particularly fish, from winter water withdrawal activities. Many different factors may influence the effect that winter water withdrawal has on a water body, such as basin shape, substrate and location. More research is warranted to better understand the linkages between anthropogenic and natural water level fluctuations and their combined effect on aquatic ecosystems. A general decision support system is proposed for minimizing risk to aquatic life from winter water withdrawal activities.