Abstract
On the basis of investigationsin situ, it was found that mass exchange on the water-sediment interface occurred chiefly on the superficial sediment within 5–10 cm. The spatial physicochemical character of sediment was distributed uniformly. The observation of lake currents and waves indicated that the dynamic sources, which act on the interface of water and sediment, came mainly from waves under strong wind forcing, while the critical shear stresses due to the waves and currents were of the same magnitude under weak wind forcing. The critical shear stress that leads to extensive sediment resuspension was about 0.03 – 0.04N/m2, equivalent to a wind speedin situ up to 4 m/s. If a dynamic intensity exceeded the critical shear stress, such as a wind velocity up to 6.5 m/s, massive sediment re-suspension would be observed in the lake. Furthermore, field investigations revealed that the nutrient concentration of pore water within the sediment was far greater than that of overlaying water, which provides objective conditions for the nutrient release from sediment. According to nutrient analyses in the pore water from the superficial 5–10 cm sediments, a severe dynamic process in the Taihu Lake would bring out a peak nutrient release, i.e. a 0.12 mg/L increase of TN, and 0.005 mg/L increase of TP in the lake. In the end, a general scheme of nutrient release from sediment in large shallow lakes was put forward: when the wind-driven forcing imposes on the lake, it will make the sediment resuspension. At the same time, the nutrition from the pore water will follow the sediment resuspension release to overlaying water. Because of oxidation of solid particulates when it resuspends from sediment, the disturbance of hydrodynamics will enhance the suspension particulates absorbing nutrition. After the withdrawal of wind forcing, the suspended mass would deposit and bring part of the released nutrients back into sediment. The degraded organic particulate would be separated to the pore water within the sediment under the condition of deposition, and wait for the next wind forcing.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Wang Sumin, Dou Hongshen (eds.), Memoirs of Lakes in China, (in Chinese) Beijing: Science Press, 1998, 1–13.
Qin Boqiang, Approaches to mechanisms and control of eutrophication of shallow lakes in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Journal of Lake Sciences (in Chinese with English abstract), 2002, 14(3): 193–202.
Nixdorf, B., Deneke, R., Why “very shallow” lakes are more successful opposing reduced nutrients loads, Hydrobiologia, 1997, 342/343: 269–284.
Scheffer, M., Ecology of Shallow Lakes, London: Chapman & Hall, 1999, 346.
Tomiyama, M., Lake Kasumigaura: the origin, the past, present, and future, of the lake, Tsukuba Uni. Network Co. Ltd., 1995, 1–153.
Carrick, H. J., Aldridge, F. J., Schelske, C. L., Wind influences phytoplankton biomass and composition in a shallow, productive lake, Limnology and Oceanography, 1993, 38: 1179–1192.
Padisak, J., Reynolds, C. S., Selection of phytoplankton associations in Lake Balaton, Hungary, in response to eutrophication and restoration measures, with special reference to cyanoprokaryotes, Hydrobiologia, 1998, 384: 41–53.
Sondergarrd, M., Jeppesen, E., Jensen, J. P. et al., Lake restoration in Denmark, Lakes & Reservoirs: Research and Management, 2000, 5: 151–159.
Sfriso, A., Pavoni, B., Marcomini, A., Nutrient distributions in the surface sediment of the central lagoon of Venice, Science of the Total Environment, 1995, 172(1): 21–35.
Varis, O., Cyanobacteria dynamics in a restored Finnish lake: A long term simulation study, Hydrobiologia, 1993, 268(3): 129–145.
Jacobsen, B. A., Bloom formation of Gloetrichia echinulata and Aphanizomenon flos-aquae in a shallow, eutrophic, Danish lake, Hydrobiologia, 1994, 289(1-3): 193–197.
Sondergaard, M., Kristensen, P., Jeppesen, E., Phosphorus release from resuspended sediment in the shallow and wind-exposed Lake Arreso, Denmark, Hydrobiologia, 1992, 228: 91–99.
Marion, L., Clergeau, P., Brient, L. et al., The importance of avian-contributed nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) to Lake Grand-Lieu, France, Hydrobiologia, 1994, 279-280: 133–147.
Holz, J., Hoagland, K. D., Spawn, R. L. et al., Phytoplankton community response to reservoir aging, 1968–92, Hydrobiologia, 1997, 346: 183–192.
Hoeg, S., Kohler, J., Phytoplankton selection in a river-lake system during two decades of changing nutrient supply, Hydrobiologia, 2000, 424: 13–24.
Maasdam, R., Claassen, T. H. L., Trends in water quality and algal growth in shallow Frisian Lakes, the Netherlands, Water Science & Technology, 1998, 37(3): 177–184.
Chmielewski, T. J., Radwan, S., Sielewicz, B., Changes in ecological relationships in a group of eight shallow lakes in the Polesie Lubelskie region (eastern Poland) over forty years, Hydrobiologia, 1997, 342/343: 285–295.
Mortimer, C. H., The exchange of dissolved substances between mud and water in lakes, International Journal of Ecology, 1941, 29: 280–329.
Sediment Phosphorus Group, Working summary and proposals for future research, Arch. Hydrobiol. Beih. Ergebn, 1988, 30: 83–112.
Wetzel, R. G., Limnology, Lake and River Ecosystems (Third ed.), London: Academy Press, 2001, 205–288.
Steinman, A. D., Havens, K. E., Aumen, N. G., Phosphorus in Lake Okeechobee: sources, sinks, and strategies (eds. Reddy, K. R., O’Connor, G.A., Schelske, C. L.), Phosphorus Biogeochemistry of Subtropical Ecosystems: Florida as a Case example, New York: CRC/Lewis Publishers, 1999, 527–544.
Lazzretti, M. A., Hanselmann, K. W., The role of sediemnts in the phosphorus cycle in large lake Lugano, II seasonal and spatial variability of microbiological processes at the sediment-water interface, Aquatic Sciences, 1992, 54(3/4): 285–299.
Olila, O. G., Reddy, K. R., Harris, W. G., Forms and distribution of inorganic phosphorus in sediments of two shallow eutrophic lakes in Florida, Hydrobiologia, 1995, 302: 147–161.
Span, D., Dominik, J., Lazzaretti, M. A. et al., The role of sediments in the phosphorus cycle in large lake Lugano. I-Geochemical approach, Aquatic Sciences, 1992, 54(3/4): 277–284.
Hohener, P., Gachter, R., Nitrogen cycling across the sediemntwater interface in an eutrophic, artificially oxygenated lake, Aquatic Sciences, 1994, 56(2): 115–131.
Fan Chengxin, Yang Lonyuan, Zhang Lu. Vertical distribution of nitrogen and phosphorus in the sediment and interstitial water of Taihu Lake and their interrelations, Journal of Lake Sciences (in Chinese with English abstract), 2000, 12(4): 359–366.
Zhu Guangwei, Gao Guang, Qin Biqiang et al., Geochemical characteristics of phosphorus in sediments of a large eutrophic, shallow lake, Advances in Water Science (in Chinese with English abstract). 2003
Wang Yuchun, Wang Guojiang, Wang Shilu et al., The different species of phosphorus in sediments of Hongfeng Lake and Baihua Lake, Acta Mineralogica Sinica (in Chinese with English abstract), 2002, 20(3): 273–277.
Istanovics, V., Seasonal variation of phosphorus release from the sediments of shallow lake Balaton (Hungary), Water Research, 1988, 22(12): 1473–1481.
Moore, P. A. Jr., Reddy, K. R., Role of Ph and Eh on phosphorus geochemistry in sediment of Lake Okeechobe, Florida, Journal of Environmental Quality, 1994, 23: 955–964.
Reddy, K. R., Fisher, M. M., Ivanoff, D., Resuspension and diffusive flux of nitrogen and phosphorus in a hypereutrophic lake, Journal of Environmental Quality, 1996, 25: 363–371.
Wang Tingjian, Su Rui, Jin Xiangchan, et al., Phosphorus load of sediments in urban eutrophic lakes and impacts on water quality, Environmental Sciences Research (in Chinese with English abstract), 1994, 7(4): 12–19.
Wang Xiaorong, Hua Zhaozhe, Xu Ling et al., Environmental changes on the prosphorus release of sediments of Taihu Lake, Environmental Chemistry (in Chinese with English abstract), 1996, 15(1): 15–19.
You Wenhui, Phosphorus load in sediments and impacts on the water quality of sediment release, Shanghai Environmental Science, (in Chinese with English abstract), 1997, 16(12): 23–25.
Zhang Lu, Fan Chenxin, Qin Boqiang et al., Phosphorus release and adsorption of superficial sediments in Taihu Lake under simulative disturbing conditions, Journal of Lake Sciences (in Chinese with English abstract), 2001, 13(1): 35–42.
Yin Daqiang, Qin Qiurong, Yan Hang. Effects of environmental factors on release of phosphorus from sediments of Taihu Lake, Journal of Lake Sciences (in Chinese with English abstract), 1994, 6(3): 240–244.
Fan Chengxin, Zhang Lu, Yang Longyuan et al., Simulation of endogenesis phosphorus load in lacustrine sediments, Oceanologia et Limnologia Sinica (in Chinese with English abstract), 2002, 33(4): 370–378.
Fan Chengxin, Qin Boqiang, Zhang Lu, Substance exchange across interface of water-sediment in Meiliang bay and Wuli Lake, Journal of Lake Sciences (in Chinese with English abstract), 1998, 10(1): 53–58.
Canfield, D. E. Jr., Hoyer, M. V., The eutrophication of Lake Okeechobee, Lake and Reservoir Management, 1998, 4: 91–99.
Pu Peimin, Wang Guoxiang, Hu Chunhua et al., Can we control lake eutrophication by dredging? Journal of Lake Sciences (in Chinese with English abstract), 2000, 12(3): 269–279.
Krone, R. B., Flume studies of the transport of sediment in estuarial shoaling, Final Report, Hydraulic Engineering Laboratory and Sanitary Engineering Research Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, 1962, 1–120.
Mehta, A. J., Partheniades, E., An investigation of the depositional properties of flocculated fine sediments, ASCE J. Hydraulics Res., 1975, 13: 361–376.
Partheniades, E., Unified view of wash load and bed material, ASCE J. Hydraulics Div., 1977, 103: 1037–1050.
Sheng, Y. P., Lick, W., The transport and resuspension of sediments in a shallow lake, Journal of Geophysical Research, 1979, 84(C4): 1809–1826.
Lick, W., The flocculation, deposition, and resuspension of fine-grained sediments, Transport and Transformation of Contaminants Near the Sediment-water Interface, London: Lewis Publishers, 1994, 35–57.
Shanahan, P., Luettich, R. A., Harleman, D., Water quality modelling: application to lakes and reservoirs —A case study of lake Balaton, Hungary, Water Quality Modeling, Vol. IV, Decision Support Techniques for Lakes and Reservoirs (ed. B. Henderson-Sellers), London: CRC Press, 1991, 69–114.
Vlag, D. P., A model for predicting waves and suspended silt concentration in a shallow lake, Hydrobiologia, 1992, 235/236: 119–131.
Blom, G., van Duin, E. H. S., Aalderink, R. H. et al., Modelling sediment transport in shallow lakes — interactions between sediment transport and sediment composition, Hydrobiologia, 1992, 235/236: 153–166.
Lijklima, L., Aalderink, R. H., Blom, G. et al., Sediment transport in shallow lakes — two case studies related to eutrophication, Transport and Transformation of Contaminants Near the Sediment-water Interface, London: Lewis Publishers, 1994, 253–279.
Sun Shuncai, Huang Yiping, Taihu Lake (in Chinese), Beijing: Ocean Press, 1993.
Madsen, O. S., Wave climate of the continental margin: elements of its mathematical description, Marine Sediment Transport and Environmental Management (eds. Stainley, J. D., Swift, D. J. P.), New York: Wiley, 1976, 65–90.
Jiang, W., Pohlmann, T., Sundermann, J. et al., A modelling study of SPM transport in the Bohai Sea, Journal of Marine Systems, 2000, 24: 175–200.
Nielsen, P., Robert, S., Møller-Christiansen, B. et al., Infiltration effects on sediment mobility under waves, Coastal Engineering, 2001, 42: 105–114.
Hawley, N., Sediment resuspension near the Keweenaw Peninsula, Lake Superior during the fall and winter 1990–1991, Journal of Great Lake Research, 2000, 26(4): 495–505.
Liu Jiaju, On the start-up of sediments under waveactions, Monographic Reviews on the Water Resources and Transportation (in Chinese with English abstract), 1966, No. 10.
James, R. T., Martin, Wool, T. et al., A sediment resuspension and water quality model of Lake Okeechobee, Journal of The American Water Resources Association, 1997, 33(3): 661–678.
Luettich, R. A. Jr., Harleman, D. R. F., Somlyody, L., Dynamic behavior of suspended sediment concentrations in a shallow lake perturbed by episodic wind events, Limnology and Oceanography, 1990, 35: 1050–1067.
Qin Boqiang, Hu Weiping, Chen Weimin et al., Studies on the hrfrodymanic processes and related factors in Meiliang Bay, northern Taihu lake, Journal of Lake Sciences (in Chinese with English abstract), 2000, 12(4): 327–334.
Fan Chengxin, Liu Yuanbo, Chen Hesheng, Estimates on the quantity of sediment reservoirs and spatial distribution in Taihu Lake, Shanghai Environmental Sciences (in Chinese with English abstract), 2000, 19(2): 72–75.
Gachter, R., Meyer, R. S., Mares, A., Contribution of bacteria to release and fixation of phosphorus in lake sediments, Limnology and Oceanography, 1988, 33: 1542–1558.
Li Wenchao, Chen Kaining, Wu Qinglong et al., Experimental studies on decomposition process of aquatic plant material from East Taihu Lake, Journal of Lake Sciences (in Chinese with English abstract), 2001, 13(4): 330–336.
Hu Chunhua, Pu Peimin, Studies on the precipitation flux and organic matter decomposition rate in Wuli Lake, Taihu Lake, Oceanologia et Limnologia Sinica (in Chinese with English abstract), 2000, 31(3): 327–333.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
About this article
Cite this article
Qin, B., Hu, W., Gao, G. et al. Dynamics of sediment resuspension and the conceptual schema of nutrient release in the large shallow Lake Taihu, China. Chin. Sci. Bull. 49, 54–64 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02901743
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02901743