Abstract
Nitrogen and P interchange between the sediments and the overlying water of a simulated retention pond used for wastewater treatment were evaluated under conditions of seasonal temperature fluctuations and varying physico-chemical conditions (exposing floodwater surface to daylight vs. dark and turbulent vs. quiscent floodwater). Natural sediment columns obtained from two types of field retention ponds were used. One type of retention pond consisted of calcareous clay loam sediment while the sediment of second retention pond contained organic soil. Nutrient interchange between sediments and the overlying water was measured once a month over a period of one year.
Nitrogen removal rates from floodwater were controlled by the initial floodwater NH +4 and NO −3 concentration, rate of NH +4 diffusion from the sediments to the overlying water, ammonification in the sediments, NH3 volatilization and nitrification at the sediment-water interface, and denitrification in the sediments. Under the conditions studied, NH +4 concentrations of the floodwater were in the range of 0.01 to 0.05 µg/ml, while NO −3 concentrations were in the range of 0.27 to 0.78 µg/ml. Sediments with organic soil were found to be less effective in the removal of floodwater organic N, organic C and P, compared to the sediments with calcareous clay loam. Phosphorus exchange rates were dependent on the capacity of the sediment to adsorb or desorb P. Total P exchange rates were in the range of −1.04 to 0.34 mg P/m2 day. Seasonal temperature fluctuations, turbulent vs. quiscent water conditions or exposing the floodwater surface to daylight or dark had very little effect on N and P exchange rates.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Beek, J., de Haan, F. A. M. & van Riemsdijk, W. H., 1977a. Phosphate in soils treated with sewage water. 1. General information on sewage farm, soil, and treatment of results. J. Envir. Qual. 6: 4–7.
Beek, J., de Haan, F. A. M. & van Riemsdijk, W. H., 1977b. Phosphate in soils treated with sewage water. II. Fractionation of accumulated phosphates. J. Envir. Qual. 6: 7–12.
Boyt, F. L., Bayley, S. E. & Zoltek, J. Jr., 1977. Removal of nutrients from treated municipal wastewater by wetland vegetation. J. Wat. Pollut. Control Fed. 49: 789–799.
Bremner, J. M., 1965. Inorganic forms of nitrogen. In: Black, C. A. (Ed.) Methods of Soils Analysis. Am. Soc. Agron., Madison, WI. Agronomy 9: 1179–1237.
Engler, R. M. & Patrick, W. H. Jr., 1974. Nitrate removal from floodwater overlying flooded soils and sediments. J. Envir. Qual. 3: 409–413.
Murphy, J. & Riley, J. P., 1962. A modified single solution method for the determination of phosphate in natural waters. Anal. Chim. Acta 27: 31–36.
Nielson, L. K., 1975. Seasonal variation in sediment-water exchange of nutrient ions in Lake Esrom. Verh. int. Verein. Limnol. 19: 1057–1065.
Reddy, K. R., 1981. Diel variations in physico-chemical parameters of water in selected aquatic systems. Hydrobiologia 85: 201–207.
Reddy, K. R. & Graetz, D. A., 1981. Use of shallow reservoirs and flooded organic soil systems for wastewater treatment: Nitrogen and phosphorus removal. J. Envir. Qual. 10: 113–119.
Reddy, K. R., Patrick, W. H. Jr. & Phillips, R. E., 1976. Ammonium diffusion as a factor in nitrogen loss from flooded soils. J. Am. Soc. Soil Sci. 40: 528–533.
Reddy, K. R., Sacco, P. D. & Graetz, D. A., 1980. Nitrate reduction in an organic soil-water system. J. Envir. Qual. 9: 283–288.
Reddy, K. R., Sacco, P. D., Graetz, D. A., Campbell, K. L. & Sinclair, L. R., 1982a. Water treatment by an aquatic system: Nutrient removal by reservoirs and flooded fields. Envir. Mgt. 6: 261–271.
Reddy, K. R., Rao, P. S. C. & Jessup, R. E., 1982b. The effect of carbon mineralization and denitrification kinetics in mineral and organic soils. J. Am. Soc. Soil Sci. 46: 62–68.
Stratton, F. E., 1968. Ammonia nitrogen losses from streams. J. Sani. Engy. Div. Am. Soc. civ. Engrs. 1085–1092.
Technicon Industrial Methods, 1978. Total organic/dissolved organic carbon in water and wastewater. Method. No. 455-76 W/A. Technicon Industrial Systems, Tarrytown, NY.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations Journal Series No. 3894.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Reddy, K.R. Nitrogen and phosphorus interchange between sediments and overlying water of a wastewater retention pond. Hydrobiologia 98, 237–243 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00021024
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00021024