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Sulphate and bicarbonate as key factors in sediment degradation and restoration of Lake Banen
Author(s) -
Brouwer Emiel,
Soontiëns Jeroen,
Bobbink Roland,
Roelofs Jan G.M.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
aquatic conservation: marine and freshwater ecosystems
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.95
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1099-0755
pISSN - 1052-7613
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1099-0755(199901/02)9:1<121::aid-aqc322>3.0.co;2-w
Subject(s) - macrophyte , sediment , eutrophication , alkalinity , bicarbonate , environmental science , phosphate , degradation (telecommunications) , hydrology (agriculture) , mesocosm , environmental chemistry , nutrient , geology , ecology , oceanography , chemistry , geomorphology , telecommunications , geotechnical engineering , organic chemistry , computer science , biology
1. In many Dutch lakes, eutrophied, alkaline and sulphate‐rich river water has been used to compensate for water losses. As a result, these waters have become eutrophied, and typical macrophyte species have disappeared. 2. The contribution of increased alkalinity to the eutrophication of softwater lakes was studied. In a mesocosm experiment, two types of sediments were flooded with demineralized water containing 2 mmol L −1 bicarbonate ions. The upper centimetres changed from a brown soil with coarse organic particles to a fine black mud. The formation of degradation intermediates and some phosphate release were observed. 3. This degradation was more evident in sediments flooded with demineralized water containing 4 mmol L −1 sulphate ions. In addition, sulphate consumption, sulphide production, bicarbonate production and enhanced phosphate release were observed in the sediment. 4. The eutrophied, softwater Lake Banen has been isolated from river water inputs, and mud layers were removed to restore the formerly oligotrophic, softwater conditions. 5. Removal of the degraded sediment layer and isolation of the lake from river water prevented sediment degradation and led to a return of the endangered macrophyte communities typical of softwater lakes. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.