Abstract
Biogenic silica (BSi), total phosphorus (TP), and biologically available phosphorus (AVP) were measured in short cores from Lake Michigan, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario. Peaks in BSi concentration and peaks in BSi:TP or BSi:AVP ratios provided stratigraphic signals of water column silica (Si) depletion as a response of increased diatom production to P enrichment and decreased diatom production resulting from silica depletion. By contrast the stratigraphic record of P accumulation provided very weak signals of the historical nutrient enrichment in the water column. These results indicate that system P recycling has a higher rate constant than Si recycling and, as a consequence, that relatively small levels of P enrichment can increase diatom production and sedimentation eventually causing Si depletion and Si-limited diatom production in the water mass.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Beeton, A. M., 1969. Changes in the environment and biota of the Great Lakes, pp. 150–187. In Eutrophication: causes, consequences, correctives. Nat. Acad. Sci., Washington, D.C.
Chapra, S. C., 1977. Total phosphorus model for the Great Lakes. J. Envir. eng. Div. 103: 147–161.
Kemp, A. L. W., C. B. J. Gray & A. Mudrochova, 1972. Changes in C, N, P, and S in the last 140 years in three cores from Lakes Ontario, Erie, and Huron. In: H. E. Allen & J. R. Kramer (eds), Nutrients in Natural Waters, pp. 251–279.
Krausse, G. L., C. L. Schelske & C. O. Davis, 1983. Comparison of three wet-alkaline methods of digestion of biogenic silica in water. Freshwat. Biol. 13: 73–81.
Robbins, J. A. & D. N. Edgington, 1975. Determination of recent sedimentation rates in Lake Michigan using 210Pb and 137Cs. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 39: 285–304.
Rockwell, D. C., D. S. Devault, M. F. Palmer, C. V. Marion & R. J. Bowden, 1980. Lake Michigan intensive survey 1976–1977. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Report No. EPA-905/4-80-003-A.
Schelske, C. L., 1985. Biogeochemical silica mass balances in Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. Biogeochemistry. 1: 197–218.
Schelske, C. L. & E. F. Stoermer, 1971. Eutrophication, silica, and predicted changes in algal quality in Lake Michigan. Science 173: 423–424.
Schelske, C. L., E. F. Stoermer, D. J. Conley, J. A. Robbins & R. M. Glover, 1983. Early eutrophication in the lower Great Lakes: new evidence from biogenic silica in sediments. Science 222: 320–322.
Schelske, C. L., D. J. Conley & W. F. Warwick, 1985. Historical relationships between phosphorus loading and biogenic silica accumulation in Bay of Quinte sediments. Can. J. Fish. aquat. Sci. 42: 1401–1409.
Schelske, C. L., E. F. Stoermer, G. L. Fahnenstiel & M. Haibach, 1986. Phosphorus enrichment, silica utilization, and biogeochemical depletion in the Great Lakes. Can. J. Fish. aquat. Sci. 43: 407–415.
Schelske, C. L., D. J. Conley, W. S. Gardner & R. A. Bourbonniere, in prep. Biogenic silica, phosphorus, and carbon in Lake Ontario sediments.
Stoerner, E. F., 1984. Research on Great Lakes algal communities: Problems from the past, lessons for the future. J. Great Lakes Res. 10: 143–155.
Stoermer, E. F., J. A. Wolin, C. L. Schelske & D. J. Conley, 1985a. An assessment of changes during the recent history of Lake Ontario based on siliceous microfossils preserved in the sediments. J. Phycol. 21: 257–276.
Stoermer, E. F., J. P. Kociolek, C. L. Schelske & D. J. Conley, 1985b. Siliceous microfossil succession in the recent history of Lake Superior. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Philadelphia 137: 106–118.
Williams, J. D. H., T. P. Murphy & T. mayer, 1976. Rates of accumulation of phosphorus forms in Lake Erie. J. Fish. Res. Bd Can. 33: 430–439.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Schelske, C.L., Conley, D.J., Stoermer, E.F. et al. Biogenic silica and phosphorus accumulation in sediments as indices of eutrophication in the Laurentian Great Lakes. Hydrobiologia 143, 79–86 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00026648
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00026648