BTU Resteco 05 Internal Technical PDF
BTU Resteco 05 Internal Technical PDF
Module 2: “Water”
Week 5:
5 Internal measures for oligotrophication -
Technical measures for P retention
Background: P-Diagenesis
Background: P-Diagenesis
(e.g. sediment removal, sediment covering). To distinguish between the P binding forms in
the sediment and to judge the velocity of diagenesis, sediment investigations are necessary
(see chapter 2.2.2). It is also necessary to understand that the P pool in the sediment is
the product of settling, burial and release. To interrupt successfully the internal P cycle,
restoration measures must reduce the amount of settling organic matter and the creation of a
new, active sediment layer. This implies that the P concentration in the lake must be reduced
and therefore, in most cases, also the external load must be reduced.
P-mass [mg g-1 dw]
0 1 2 3 0 1 2 3
1 1
depth [m] or time interval [yr]
2 2
permanent bound P 3 3
4 4
temporary bound P 5 5
6 6
7 7
8 8
9 9
10 10
11 11
12 12
Background: P-Diagenesis
Mineralization
Mineralization of organic bound material is the motor of sediment diagenesis. Mineralization
changes the redox potential, the pH value and the composition of the sediment. The intensity
of mineralization is influenced by temperature and the degradability of the organic matter:
Easily degraded organic matter will be degraded equally fast under aerobic and anaerobic
conditions. Difficult to degrade material will be mineralized faster under aerobic than under
anaerobic conditions. Refractory organic matter will be buried.
The combination of the sedimentation of fresh organic matter and high temperatures leads to
the highest mineralization intensities at the end of summer/ early autumn in European lakes,
which are the times of highest P release. P mobilized by mineralization can be adsorbed to
Fe, Al or Ca compounds dependent on the sorption capacity of the sediment. Mineralization
is accompanied by reduction of – in this sequence – oxygen, nitrate (to ammonium and
nitrogen), manganese oxide, iron(III) (to soluble iron(II)), sulfate (to hydrogensulfide), and
lastly a production of methane (Canfield 1993). Thus, mineralization results both in direct P
mobilization and further to an indirect mobilization in consequence of increased desorption
due to the decreased redox potential. Mineralization can be accompanied by bacterial uptake
of P, resulting in a delayed P release during subsequent collapse of the bacterial population
under changed conditions (Jensen & Andersen 1992).
(Gibbs free
energy change)
~ Eh7 ∆G
Biogenic redox reactions [mV] [kJ/mol
CH2O]
1. aerobic respiration CH2O + O2 CO2 + H2O > 450 -493
2. denitrification 5CH2O + 4NO3- 2N2 + 4HCO3- + CO2 + 3H2O < 450-550 -472
3. Mn-reduction 5CH2O +3CO2 + 3H2O + 2MnO2 2Mn2+ +4HCO3- < 350-450 -348
5. Fe-reduction CH2O + 7CO2 +4 Fe(OH)3 4Fe2+ + 8HCO3- +3H2O < 150-200 -103
Fig 5-2 Biogenic redox reactions and corresponding redox potential values (Eh) and energy
gain of the reactions (Gibbs free energy change).
Background: P-Diagenesis
dissolved P precipitates, co-precipitates or adsorbs with/at the iron(III) compounds. Often this
Fe/P cycle occurs at the sediment-water interface, and iron accumulates at the aerobic
sediment surface. In case of an intensive mineralization in the sediment and absence of
oxygen, nitrate, oxidized manganese and oxidised iron, sulphate may be reduced to
hydrogen sulphide. Subsequently, iron sulphide (FeS) may precipitate due to its low solubility
product. Thus, the Fe/P cycle is interrupted, and the P release increases (Roden & Edmonds
1997).
aerob anaerob
External
Plake H2 S External
Plake H2S
load load
O2 /NO-3 O2 /NO3-
PO3-
4 PO3-
4 + Fe
2+
FeOOH~P PO3-
4 PO3-
4 + Fe
2+
FeOOH~P
mineralization
mineralization
dissolution
desorption,
dissolution
desorptin,
T Eh T Eh
Water Water
Sediment Sediment
PPool PPool
FeS FeS
Fig 5-3 Aerob and anaerob iron-phosphorus cycle at the sediment water interface (T=
temperature, Eh = redox potential, modified from Schauser et al. 2006)
Effects of anaerobia
Due to intensive sedimentation and mineralization of organic matter, anaerobic conditions
can occur in the hypolimnion leading to the accumulation of:
- nutrients (PO43-),
- toxic metabolic products (NO2-, NH3, H2S), and
- reduced substances (Fe2+, Mn2+).
Also in productive shallow lakes, warm and calm nights or weather periods can lead to short
term stratification and oxygen depletion in the lower water body.
The air addition can be permanently or intermittent supporting the oxygen supply of the
water. The turbulence renders the upper mixed water zone much deeper than the euphotic
depth. The minimum mixing depth of turbid lakes should be 5-6 m and of clear lakes 8-10 m
to achieve effects on the phytoplankton. As a result of mixing, the phytoplankton is
temporarily pushed to a depth where the reduced availability of light restricts growth. Under
this condition, primary production is limited because respiration is greater than
photosynthesis. Through intermittent circulation, the water in the mixed zone is only
temporarily mixed in order to prevent algae from adapting to the periodic changes in the
amount of light available. Especially cyanobacteria are not able to adapt to irregular light
conditions.
A side effect of forced circulation is the aeration of the water volume leading to similar effects
than hypolimnetic aeration in the deep water and increased P retention (see below).
Aims
• Reduction of primary production by light limitation;
• Suppression of cyanobacteria mass development;
Problems
• Mixing of accumulated reduces and partly toxic substances (ammonia, nitrite,
hydrogen sulfide, manganese, iron) into the upper water body, followed by oxygen
reduction in the complete water body and fish kills;
• Mixing of accumulated nutrients into the upper water body, enhancing primary
production;
• Temperature increase at the lake bottom, increasing mineralization, oxygen uptake
and nutrient release;
• Temperature decrease in the epilimnion, limiting swimming,
• Increase of phytoplankton because of increased nutrient supply and failed light
limitation because of a too shallow mixed layer.
Experiences
In water bodies with small hypolimnions, destratification has yielded relatively good results,
as long as the upper mixed layer is deep enough for light limitation. The upper mixed layer
should be 5-6 m in turbid lakes, and 8-10 m in clear lakes. It is a very effective method to
destroy a biological monimolimnion. It was successfully applied in drinking water reservoirs
to prevent anoxia and to remove reduced substances (hydrogen sulfide, iron (II), manganese
(II)). However, unsatisfactory results have been obtained in deep water bodies with big
anaerobic hypolimnia because the high concentrations of oxygen consuming compounds
(iron, manganese, hydrogen sulfide) and nutrients in the hypolimnion. In deep lakes, the
measure can be used to prolong the spring circulation to suppress algae development. The
prevention of P-release from sediment by artificial circulation could not be proven.
References
Cooke, G.D., E.B. Welch, S. Peterson & S.A. Nichols, 2005, Restoration and management of
lakes and reservoirs. 3rd ed. Taylor & Francis, Boca Raton/FL, 591 p.
Scharf, B.W., Bernhardt, H., Ehlscheid, T., Lüsse, B. (1992) : Restoration. – In Scharf, Bw. &
Björk, S. (eds.): Limnology of Eifel maar lakes. Arch. Hydrobiol. Beih. Ergebn. Limnol. 38,
307-327.
A number of technologies that combat oxygen deficits (e.g. aeration or pure oxygen infeed
systems) are available that increase hypolimnetic oxygen concentrations (Spieker 1995) with
or without destruction of the stratification (see 5.1.2 Forced circulation). These methods can
be used as stopgap measures to ameliorate the symptoms of eutrophication (until other anti-
eutrophication methods reduce the trophic level) and are also suitable for emergency use in
cases of acute oxygen deficit. However, such measures generally are only effective while
being applied.
cover grid
outgassing
chamber
floating body
snorkel tube
mixing chambers
downpipe
riser
submerged
pump
ejector
Fig 5-6 Hypolimnion aeration with different aerators (left: Limnos, right: Tibean)
Aims
• Immediate increase of the oxic habitat for benthic invertebrates and fish;
• Oxidation of toxic substances (hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, nitrite) to prevent fish kills
or odor problems;
• Elimination of dissolved, reduced metals (iron, manganese) to prevent problems for
the drinking water supply (clogging of filters);
• Prevention of sapropel development due to increased mineralization of difficult
degradable organic matter;
• Reduction of P release through increase of the redox potential at the sediment-water
interface, aiming at increased P sorption to oxidized iron minerals;
• Increased net sedimentation leads to a shorter adaptation time after external load
reduction.
Problems
• Dimensioning of an aeration plant is difficult. The oxygen demand must be estimated
by laboratory studies or reduction rates in the hypolimnion;
• Aeration of the sediment surface is needed to reduce the P release. The huge
sediment oxygen demand might prevent the penetration of oxygen into the sediment;
• Iron concentration might be limited because of low natural iron content and/or iron
sulfide precipitation. Thus, also aerobic sorption capacity is too low to prevent P
release;
• Aerobic conditions might increase mineralization intensity, thus increasing P release;
• Additional P sorption will only happen when the aerobic sediment layer increases
and/or oxidized iron accumulate.
Experiences
In most cases, aeration led to the expected increase of the oxygen concentration and the
reduction of reduced substances. Aeration is helpful to reduce the symptoms of
eutrophication as long as the measure is applied.
In some lakes, also the P concentration in the hypolimnion was reduced, whereas in other
lakes P was released from the sediments also under aerobic conditions. Thus, it was
recommended to combine hypolimnion aeration with iron addition. Long time investigations in
Swiss lakes indicate that the aeration did not affect the P mass balance of these lakes
(Gächer & Wehrli 1998) because O2 demand of the sediment was high so that the O2
penetration depth was insufficient to have an effect on the P-release.
References
Beutel, M. W., Horn, A. J. (1999): A review of the effects of hypolimnetic oxygenation on
lakes and reservoir water quality. Journal of Lake and Reservoir Management 15 (4):285-
297.
Gächter, R., Wehrli, B. (1998): Ten years of artificial mixing and oxygenation: no effect on the
internal phosphorus loading of two eutrophic lakes. Environmental Science and
Technology 32, 3659-3665.
Fig 5-7 Injection of Ca(NO3)2 und FeCl3 into sediment down to 20 cm depth with sediment rake
(6-10 m width)
Aims
• Using nitrate as oxygen supply to increase the redox potential at the sediment
surface, to support aerobic mineralization and to decrease P release;
• Nitrate addition and iron precipitation (RIPLOX) are combined to increase the aerobic
phosphorus sorption capacity in the sediment;
• Increased net sedimentation leads to a shorter adaptation time after external load
reduction.
Problems
• By a single nitrate addition, only little oxygen is supplied.
• Multiple nitrate addition is costly and also only of short term effect; the discharge of
nitrate rich waste water is prohibited in Europe.
Experiences
The results obtained with this method thus far have been uneven, the main problem here
being rapid nitrate consumption, which in some cases necessitates repetition of the
procedure at brief intervals. There are indices that the combination of nitrate and iron can
support the aerobic phosphorus sorption, also it is difficult to judge whether the nitrate
addition has been necessary in each single case. However, continuous discharges of nitrate
rich waters into shallow lakes have increased P retention.
References
Ripl, W. (1976) : Biochemical oxidation of polluted lake sediment with nitrate – a nwe
restoraiton method. Ambio 5, 132-135
Søndergaard, M., Jeppesen, E., Jensen, J. P. (2000): Hypolimnetic nitrate treatment to
reduce internal phosphorus loading in a stratified lake. Lake Reserv.Managem. 16(3),
195-204.
Fig 5-8 left: Spreading of precipitants on a lake. Microscope picture of iron-hydroxide flocks in
a mining lake.
2. step: binding of P
Al(OH)3 + PO43- → AlPO4 + 3OH- precipitation of variscite
Al(OH)3 + PO43- → Al(OH)3~PO43-aq. adsorption
Al(OH)3 + particulate P → Al~P flock coagulation
High doses of the iron and aluminum reduce the P concentration in the water phase and
also strengthen the phosphorus retention properties of the water body sediment, which in
turn prevents long term phosphorus remobilization.
Calcium binds P mainly during precipitation of calcite in the water phase at pH levels above
9 (co-precipitation). Calcium-catalyzed precipitation must be realized repeatedly in order to
achieve longer lasting results.
The use of precipitation agents in water bodies with relatively long retention times (> 5 yr) or
in which phosphorus is released continuously from the sediment can be efficacious on a
long term where external measures are ongoing or have recently been completed to shorten
the adaptation time. The improvement of the trophic state of water bodies with relatively short
retention times (<1 yr) and whose external phosphorus load was not sufficiently reduced has
only a transitory effect. In lakes with a long water retention time (> 10 yr), precipitation can
be useful even without external load reduction. However, then repeated internal measures
should be planned.
Fig 5-10 Fe-, Al- and Ca-compounds can be added to the lake using special boats.
Aim
• Short-term removal of P compounds in the water body by precipitation and
adsorption;
• Long-term decrease of P release from the sediment by increase of the P retention
capacity of the sediment;
• Reduction of the adaptation time after external load reduction due to increased net
sedimentation rate;
• Reduction of the in-lake P concentration due to increased net sedimentation rate
when measure regularly repeated.
Problems
• Precipitation with iron or aluminum salts (chlorids, sulfates) can lead to increased salt
concentrations in the water body;
• Iron and aluminum salts dissolve in water and are transformed to hydroxides. This
process is accompanied with H+ -release and pH decrease in bad buffered lakes with
low alkalinity; this can be prevented by the addition of calcium;
• At pH levels above 8, P will be released from metal hydroxides because of ligand
exchange mechanisms. Additionally Al-hydroxides will dissolve as aluminate
(Al(OH)4). This occurs mainly in highly productive, shallow lakes with resuspension of
the sediment;
• At pH below 4-5, aluminum turns to dissolved and toxic Al3+-compounds, thus
releasing P and causing fish kills at Al concentrations above 0.1-0.2 mg L-1. This is a
danger in soft water lakes with low alkalinity;
• Flocculation of aluminum hydroxides can be disturbed by high turbidity;
• Iron(III) hydroxides are reduced and precipitate as iron-sulfide (FeSx) in the anaerobic
sediment layers leading to P release;
• Addition of iron might increase primary production if iron is a limiting factor;
• Calcite (CaCO3) precipitation is affected by other substances in the water body such
as manganese, iron, humic matter;
• Ca-compounds can dissolve in the sediment because of the neutral pH value.
Fig 5-11 Dissociation diagram of Al-compounds depending on pH, broken lines indicate critical
pH-values.
Experiences
Precipitation of P with Al-salts has been widely and successfully applied in North America. In
many cases, the positive effect was longer than 5 years. The dosage of Al can be based on
the P-pool in the sediment to be inactivated. It is recommended to use 10 times more Al than
total P or 4 times more Al than temporary bound P in the sediment (Jensen 2007, Reitzel et
al. 2005). Alternatively, the dosage can be based on water alkalinity by titration with Al2(SO4)3
with the limit of 50 µg L-1 Al and a pH between 6 and 8 in the water (Cooke at al. 2005).
Long term successful measures with iron salts are less often described in the literature. Only
short term effects have been observed in lakes where the external load was not sufficiently
reduced. For the application of iron it is recommended to use above 30 times more iron than
the P content of the water body. Other dosage recommendations are 1 – 150 g Fe m-3 or 20
– 500 g Fe m-2. The surplus dosage shall increase the long-term effect by increasing the P
retention capacity of the sediment.
Precipitation with calcium did have only long-term effects after repeated treatment because
the precipitation products have not been stabile. Calcium application is only suitable in
slightly eutrophic hardwater lakes with natural Calcite precipitation. For an artificially induced
calcite precipitation, calcium-compounds can be added from a boat as slurry to the surface or
directly injected into the hypolimnion in combination with aeration to spread the calcium. The
dosage should be 10 – 250 mg L-1 Ca.
References
Boers, P. C. M., van der Does, J., Quaak, M., van der Vlugt, J. (1994): Phosphorus fixation
with iron(III)chloride: A new method to combat internal phosphorus loading in shallow
lakes? Arch. Hydrobiol. 129 (3), 339-352.
Cooke, G.D., E.B. Welch, S. Peterson & S.A. Nichols, 2005, Restoration and management of
lakes and reservoirs. 3rd ed. Taylor & Francis, Boca Raton/FL, 591 p.
Prepas, E. E., PinelAlloul, B., Chambers, P. A., Murphy, T. P., Reedyk,, S. Sandland, G.,
Serediak, M. (2001): Lime treatment and its effects on the chemistry and biota of
hardwater eutrophic lakes. Freshwater. Biol. 46(8), 1049-1060.
Reitzel, K. , J. Hansen, F. O. Andersen, K. S. Hansen, and H. S. Jensen. Lake restoration by
dosing aluminum relative to mobile phosphorus in the sediment. Environmental Science &
Technology 39 (11):4134-4140, 2005.
Aims
• Reduction of P transport into the water layer because of P binding material and
reduced porosity at the sediment surface;
• Increased net sedimentation rate leads to a shorter adaptation time after external load
reduction;
• Physical stabilization of the sediment surface to reduce transport of material by
diffusion, resuspension, ebullition or bioturbation;
• Isolation of toxic sediments (sediment-capping);
• Prevention of macrophyte growth.
lake
marl
mixture
Sapropel
-1
total P [mg g dw]
Fig 5-12 Left: Spreading of autochthonous lake marl
as bottom cover in Lake Arendsee (Germany). Right:
sediment core afterwards showing about 9 cm of sediment cover over organic sediment.
Problems
• If most of the active P of the internal nutrient cycle is in the water body during
implementation of the measure, the covering layer will have little effect on the internal
P cycle;
• The covering layer gets buried by fresh sediments, thus reducing its impact on the
water phase. The fresh, nutrient rich sediment might keep the nutrient cycle going;
• The specific density of the covering layer should not be above the density of the
sediment (1,2-1,3 g cm-3 for organic rich sediments of eutrophic lakes) to prevent
sinking in;
• To cover the sediment entirely, the relief of the lake bottom as well as the intensities
of resuspension, ebullition and bioturbation must be known;
• A chemical binding layer face the same difficulties than the use of chemical
precipitators: the binding layer must provide enough anaerobic binding capacity.
Experiences
There are no positive experiences with sediment covering to reduce P release up to know.
Case studies with calcite and old sediments covers failed because the material had too little
binding capacity and was disturbed by bioturbation. Attempts to reduce makrophyte growths
with sediment covers failed.
References
Hupfer, M., Pöthig, R., Brüggemann, R., Geller, W. (2000): Mechanical resuspension of
autochthonous calcite (Seekreide) failed to control internal phosphorus cycle in a
eutrophic lake. Water Research 34 (3), 859-867.
Klapper, H. (1992): Calcite covering of sediments as a possible way of curbing blue-green
algae. – In: Sutcliffe, D.W., Jones, J.G. (eds.): Eutrophication: research and application to
water supply. Freshwater Biol. Ass., Ambleside, 107-111.
1 1
depth [m] or time interval [yr]
2 2
permanent bound P 3 3
4 4
temporary bound P 5 5
6 6
7 7
8 8
9 9
10 10
11 11
12 12
Dredging can also be done to change the water body morphology. In the presence of the
same level of nutrient load, a higher trophic level occurs in shallow water bodies than in
deeper waters with a pronounced hypolimnion that acts as a phosphorus sink. Therefore,
increasing a water body depth can reduce a water body’s trophic level. This can be done
through the use of various dredging methods. Moreover, leveling underwater slopes, as well
as extending the shoreline and concurrently planting reed beds can also create nutrient
sinks. Water body banks containing reed beds constitute buffer zones that protect water
bodies against eutrophication (Kohl and Kuehl 2001). It is particularly important to do this for
freshly created water bodies such as flooded gravel pits. However, no concrete examples are
available regarding the impact such measures have on the trophic level of a water body. In
any case, other goals such as habitat improvement and the attendant optimization of
ecological quality have a higher priority when decisions are made on such measures,
particularly when they concern efforts to modify shore morphology.
The available mechanical dredging methods include suction flushing and dredging (using
chain and bucket dredgers or excavators); and dredging drainable water bodies, preferably
at subfreezing temperatures (Fig 5-14).
Aims
• Prevention of siltation and decreased resuspension and turbidity;
• Increased thermal stratification stability to improve trophic condition and to reduce
intrusion of deep water into the trophogenic zone in summer;
Problems
• Resuspension of nutrients, reduced substances and pollutants, e.g. heavy metals
bound anaerobic to sulfides, during the measure might lead to oxygen depletion and
poisoning of aquatic life;
• Resuspended sediment, slipping materials from the slope and new settling material
may form a new sediment which re-establishes the internal P cycle;
• The old sediment, after becoming the new sediment surface, might be activated and
release as much P than the extracted layer;
• Sludge and seepage must be treated and deposited outside of the lake;
• Very expensive restoration method.
Experiences
There are no experiences about effects of morphological changes on the lake trophy.
Dredging for maintenance or construction of the water body has been successful. However,
the expectations of improved trophy or decreased P concentration have often been
disappointed. Only for few lakes, e.g. Lake Trumen (Sweden), positive results of a dredging
have been reported in literature.
References
Björk, S. (1994): Sediment removal. In: IWRB Publication 32, IWRB Publication, p. 82.
Peterson, S.A. (1982): Lake restoration by sediment removal. Water Resources Bulletin 18
(3), 423-435.
Van der Does, J., Verstraelen, P., Boers, P. C. M., Van Roestel, J., Roijackers, R., Moser, G.
(1992): Lake restoration with and without dredging of phosphorus-enriched upper
sediment layers. Hydrobiologia 233, 197-210.
pump
epilimnion
hypolimnion
,Olszewski tube'
NH4+, PO43-, H2S
recharge of
treated carrying buoy carrying buoy
P-Elimination water and outlet and pump
inflow of P-rich
hypolimnetic water
Fig 5-16 Hypolimnetic withdrawal with external treatment and recharging (modified from Hupfer
& Scharf 2002).
In water bodies with long retention times and therefore longer reaction times to external load
reduction, bottom water withdrawal in combination with external treatment (precipitation,
adsorption or filtration in constructed wetlands) and recharge of the water can lead to faster
recovery of the trophic condition. The treatment can be carried out all year round and the
hypolimnetic water multiple times, without putting chemicals into the water body. However,
the efficiency of the treatment is reduced when the nutrient concentration of the extracted
water is low. The treatment requires a reduction of TP from 200 – 500 µg L-1 or more to < 10
µg L-1. The treated water should be recharged into the water body in such a way that the
stratification is not deranged. The various commercially available external phosphorus
elimination systems based on portable or stationary technology have yielded positive results
in small to medium sized water bodies (Andres and Scharf 2003; Guessbacher 1997; Scharf
1995).
Aims
• Reduction of the P in-lake concentration by extraction of P-rich deep water;
• Improvement of the oxygen conditions of the lake by removal of reduced substances
and particulate organic matter;
• Increase of the outflow factor and decrease of the water retention time (when water is
recharged) leads to decreased adaptation time after external load reduction;
• Abolishment of an undesired meromixis.
Problems
• Without external treatment and recharging, the amount of the extraction is limited by
the amount of the natural outflow, otherwise the lake level drops. Usually,
hypolimnetic withdrawal without recharge is efficient for lakes with retention time
below fife years.
• The extracted water can smell very badly and create oxygen depletion as well as
poisoning of aquatic life in the receiving stream due to accumulated reduced
substances, mainly hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, ammonium;
• Eutrophication of the receiving waters without external treatment of the extracted
water;
• Reduced stratification stability and early circulation leading increased nutrient
availability and phytoplankton mass development in late summer.
• High reduced iron and manganese concentrations might lead to clogging of the
treatment plant. This can also be caused by high hydrogen sulfide concentrations, if
iron is used in the treatment plant and precipitated to iron sulfide;
• When water is recharged into the hypolimnion, it dilutes the hypolimnion water and
creates a short-circuit;
• The hypolimnion withdrawal itself is a very cheap measure, but the external treatment
plant is expensive.
Experiences
Hypolimnetic withdrawal has been used the first time in Poland 1956. Since then it had been
applied with positive results in small to medium sized, deep lakes with strong stratification. In
big lakes, in lakes with a relative small hypolimnion or low nutrient accumulation and in lakes
with a long water retention time (> 5 yr), hypolimnetic withdrawal had only little effect. For
small lake with small hypolimnion or long water retention times, the external treatment can be
beneficial. Short term experiences exist already, but long time experiences are missing.
References
Scharf, B.W., Bernhardt, H., Ehlscheid, T., Lüsse, B. (1992) : Restoration. – In Scharf, Bw. &
Björk, S. (eds.) : Limnology of Eifl maar lakes. Arch. Yhdrobiol. Beih. Ergebn. Limnol. 38,
307-327.
Nürnberg, G. K. (1987): Hypolimnetic withdrawal as lake restoration technique. Journal of
Environmental Engineering 113 (5), 1006-1017.
Nürnberg, G. K. (2007): Lake responses to long-term hypolimnetic withdrawals. Lake and
Reservoir Management. 23(4), 388-409.
Aims
• Dilution of the in-lake nutrient concentrations by importing low-nutrient water and
exporting nutrient-rich water;
• Reduction of phytoplankton growth by increase of water exchange rate and washout
of algal cells during flushing;
• Decreased water retention time leads to shorter adaptation time after external load
reduction.
Problems
• Availability of enough nutrient poor water;
• Short-circuit when epilimnetic water is washed out;
• Change of the hydrophysical dynamic will cause changes in biocenosis;
• Water level changes possible;
• P release from the sediment may delay effect of dilution.
Experiences
There is one positive example of in Germany: a eutrophic lake (Bleibtreusee) was nearly
completely emptied. The remaining water was treated with aluminum to precipitate the
remaining phosphorus. Afterwards the lake was flooded with nutrient poor groundwater and
stabilized mesotrophic conditions developed. In the Netherlands, Lake Veluwe and Lake
Dronten have been diluted since 1979 with positive results. The algae could be removed >
95% due to a “washing out” in winter (November-February) with a flushing rate of >0.75 lake
volumes month-1.
References
Hosper, S. H., Meyer, M.L. (1986): Control of phosphorus loading and flushing as restoration
methods for Lake Veluwe. The Netherlands Hydrobiol. Bull. 20, 183-194.
Summary
Dilution and flushing
5.4 Summary
Forced circulation
Hypolimnetic aeration
Summary
Dilution and flushing
• Aim: Short term increase of the • Fe and Al: risk of pH decrease during
sedimentation and long term increase of the application, leading to release of to
P retention in the sediment, toxic Al compounds, risk of
resuspension and P release due to
• Efficiency increases with increasing water
ligand exchange at pH above 8,
retention time, P concentration in the water,
temperature. • Al: toxic compounds below pH of 5,
dissolution of P-Al above pH of 8,
• Al: Only deep lakes with high alkalinity. Al-P
compounds are pH-sensitive. • Fe: precipitation of FeS under anaerobic
conditions, only temporary P binding
• Fe: Only lakes with aerobic sediment
under aerobic conditions in top sediment
surface, low S concentrations, and pH-
layer,
buffer. Fe-P compunds are redox-sensitive.
• Ca: dissolution of Ca-compounds in the
• Ca: Only hard water lakes with natural
sediment and release of co-precipated
calcite precipitation. Ca-P compounds are
P.
stabile at pH> 8.
Sediment dredging
Hypolimnetic withdrawal
• Aim: increased export of nutrient and • Water retention time and hypolimnion
reduced substances volume limits water withdrawal,
• Only in stratified lakes with hypolimnetic P • Reduced substances and nutrients in
accumulation, the outflow.
• Efficiency dependent on concentration
difference between hypo – and epilimnion,
size of hypolimnion (amount of withdrawn
References
Dilution and flushing
• Dilution: reduction of the water retention • Sufficient nutrient poor water supply
time and inflow concentration, increased P needed,
export, thus reduces in-lake P
• Increased areal load of P,
concentration.
• Change in biocenosis difficult to predict,
• Flushing: reduction of water retention time
below 2 d, thus washing out of • Effect on P release and thus application
phytoplankton greater than their growth period difficult to predict.
rate.
• Only suitable for small lakes or lakes with
already short retention time because of
clean water availability.
5.5 References
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Mackenzie, L. Chou (Eds.): Interactions of C, N, P and S biogeochemical cycles and
global change. Berlin, Springer, 333-363.
Jensen, H. S., Andersen, F. Ø. (1992): Importance of temperature, nitrate and pH for
phosphate release from aerobic sediments of four shallow, eutrophic lakes. Limnol.
Oceanogr. 37, 577-589.
Roden, E. E., Edmonds, J. W.(1997): Phosphate mobilization in iron-rich anaerobic
sediments: microbial Fe (II) oxide reduction versus iron-sulfide formation. Arch.Hydrobiol.
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Schauser, I., Chorus, I., Lewandowski, J. (2006): Effects of nitrate on phosphorus release:
comparison of two Berlin lakes. Acta hydrochimica et hydrobiologica 34 (4), 325-332.
Søndergaard, M., Jeppesen, E., Jensen, J. P.(2000): Hypolimnetic nitrate treatment to
reduce internal phosphorus loading in a stratified lake. Lake Reserv. Managem. 16 (3),
195-204.