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Gradients of nutrients, dissolved oxygen and sulfide in wave‐protected and unsheltered stands of Phragmites australis
Author(s) -
Rolletschek Hardy
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
internationale revue der gesamten hydrobiologie und hydrographie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.524
H-Index - 52
eISSN - 1522-2632
pISSN - 0020-9309
DOI - 10.1002/iroh.19970820305
Subject(s) - littoral zone , nutrient , saturation (graph theory) , chemistry , deposition (geology) , environmental chemistry , geology , sediment , ecology , oceanography , biology , geomorphology , mathematics , combinatorics
The horizontal and vertical distribution of TN, TP, TC, and TIC in littoral sediments and O 2 and total soluble sulfide (∑S 2‐ ) in the overlying water was determined to assess characteristic patterns and the extent of littoral accumulation in Lake Müggelsee. Wave extinction by helophytes allows the formation of deposition zones at the land/water‐interface and inside the reed bed. Organogenic sediments (LOI >60% dm, TP >1.2 mg P/g dm, TN >2% dm) declined non‐linear towards open water. Additionally, irregular periods of anaerobiosis and increased ∑S 2‐ concentrations (1.316 μg S 2‐ /1) were measured. Wave breakers, which were built in front of mechanically damaged reed significantly promote littoral accumulation and protect deposition zones from erosion. However, embankment with fagots produces a fine‐grained organogenic mud towards open water. These sediments revealed significantly increased O 2 consumption rates (610 mg O 2 /m 2 · d) and steeper gradients of NO 3 − , SO 4 2‐ and CH 4 indicating intensified anaerobic reduction processes when compared with unsheltered sites. The nutrient gradients differed from those of ‘natural’ accumulation zones and caused diminished O 2 saturation (by 30%) specially in summer months. ∑S 2‐ concentration was positively correlated to TC content of sediments and temperature and negatively to distance from shore. The annual mean concentration ranged among 10 and 51 μg S 2‐ /1 and was not affected by wave breakers.