Abstract
The amount of phosphorus available to algae in the sediments of four lakes in the western part of the Netherlands has been assessed by means of chemical extraction and bioassay techniques. In addition to direct chemical sediment analyses, extractions were carried out with an NTA column method and a stepwise NH4 Cl-NaOH-HCI shaking method, the latter supposedly separating the weakly bound, the Fe- and Al-bound and the Ca-bound phosphates in the sediments. Bioassays, with sediment as the sole source of P, were made withScenedesmus quadricauda in modified Skulberg's 28 medium to determine the amount of phosphates available to algae.
The average total P concentration of the sediments varied from 0.8 to 3.6 mg P g−1 dry wt and correlated well with the net external P loading of the lakes. Uptake of P by algae in the bioassays varied from 0.4 to 36% — while NTA extracted 36–69% of the total P. The ratio NH4Cl extracted/ NaOH extracted/ HCI extracted phosphates is different from lake to lake, although in all lakes the highest extractions (27–62% of total P) are found in the NaOH fraction. However, in the peaty sediments of these lakes, the NaOH step extracted not only the Fe- and Al-bound phosphates but, also, large amounts of humus compounds. Hence, this fraction also contains non-available organic P.
The results are related to soil type and chemical characteristics of the sediments, and compared with data from other authors. A positive correlation was found between phosphate available to algae and NTA- and NaOH-extractable P, but the correlation with total phosphorus was higher. Moreover, algal-extractable P proved to be positively correlated with total iron and clay content and negatively with the amount of organic matter.
It is concluded that the sediments in the investigated lakes show great variability and that the chemical extraction techniques cannot replace the bioassays to assess the amount of phosphorus available to algae.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Al, J. P. & Holland, A. M. B., 1977. Geochemische bemonsterings- en analysemethodieken. Rijkswaterstaat, Deltadienst, hoofdafd. Milieu en Inrichting. Nota 76–60 (in Dutch).
Bolier, G., van Breemen, A. N. & Visser, G., 1981. Eutrophication tests: a possibility to estimate the influence of sewage discharge on the biological quality of the receiving water. H2O 14: 88–92 (in Dutch with an English summary).
Boström, B. & Pettersson, K., 1982. Different patterns of phosphorus release from lake sediments in laboratory batch experiments. (These proceedings).
Golterman, H. L., Bakels C. C. & Jakobs-Mögelin,J., 1969. Availability of mud phosphates for the growth of algae. Verb. int. Verein. Limnol. 17: 467–479.
Golterman, H. L., 1973. Natural phosphate sources in relation to phosphate budgets. A contribution to the understanding of eutrophication. Wat. Res. 7: 3–17.
Golterman, H. L., (Ed.) 1976. Fosfaten in bet Nederlandse oppervlaktewater. Rapport van de Stuurgroep Fosfaten der KNCV. 133 pp. Sigma Chemie (in Dutch).
Golterman, H. L., 1977. Sediments as a source of phosphate for algal growth. In: Golterman, H. L. (Ed.). Interactions between Sediments and Fresh Water. Junk, The Hague Pudoc, Wageningen.
Golterman, H. L., 1980. Studies on phosphate release from lake bottoms in artificial enclosures in a shallow eutrophic lake. H2O 13: 513–515 (in Dutch with an English summary).
Grobler, D. C. & Davies, E., 1979. The availability of sediment phosphate to algae. Wat. S.Afr. 5: 114–122.
Grobler, D. C. & Davies, E., 1981. Sediments as a source of phosphate: a study of 38 impoundments. Wat. S.Afr. 7: 54–60.
Hieltjes, A. H. M., 1980. Eigenschappen en gedrag van fosfaat in sedimenten. Thesis, Twente University of Technology. 302 pp. (in Dutch with an English summary).
Hieltjes, A. H. M.& Lijklema, L., 1980. Fractionation of inorganic phosphates in calcareous sediments. J. envir. Qual. 9: 405–407.
Klapwijk, S. P., 1981. Limnological research on the effects of phosphate removal in Rijnland. H2O 14. 472–483 (in Dutch with an English summary).
Leentvaar, P., 1980. Comparison of hypertrophy on a seasonal scale in Dutch inland waters. In: Barica, J. & Mur, L. R., (Eds.) Hypertrophic Ecosystems. Developments in Hydrobiology 2: 45–55. Junk, The Hague.
Nederlands Normalisatie Instituut. Tests methods for waste water. NEN 3235.
Schmidt-van Dorp, A. D., 1978. Eutrophication of shallow lakes in Rijnland. Report Technical Service, Hoogheemraadschap van Rijnland, 254 pp. (in Dutch with an English summary).
Schwoerbel, J., 1972. Methods of Hydrobiology, 2nd edn. Pergamon Press, Oxford. 200 pp.
Siebers, H. H., van der Kraan, A. M. & Donze, M., 1982. The fractionation of iron-phosphorus compounds in sediments studied by Mössbauer spectroscopy. (These proceedings).
Sokal, R. R. & Rohlf, F. J., 1969. Biometry — the Principles and Practice of Statistics in Biological Research. W. H. Freeman, San Francisco, 776 pp
Williams, J. D. H., Syers, J. K., Shukla, S. S., Harris, R. F. & Armstrong, D. E., 1971. Levels of inorganic and total phosphorus in lake sediments as related to other sediment parameters. Envir. Sci. Technol. 5: 1113–1120.
Williams, J. D. H., Shear H. & Thomas, R. L., 1980. Availability to Scenedesmus quadricauda of different forms of phosphorus in sedimentary materials from the Great Lakes. Limnol. Oceanogr. 25: 1–11.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Klapwijk, S.P., Kroon, J.M.W. & Meijer, M.L. Available phosphorus in lake sediments in The Netherlands. Hydrobiologia 91, 491–500 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02391963
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02391963