Mixing processes in lakes: mechanisms and ecological relevance

In Lake Baldegg, Switzerland (surface area 5.3 km², maximum depth 66 m) the analysis of data from moored instrument systems (atmospheric boundary layer, lake temperature distribution, bottom currents) was correlated to the long-term development of vertical mixing as seen from profiles of natural isotopes (radon-222, tritium and helium-3) and chemical species. The investigation shows: 1. Vertical mixing coefficients below 25 m are small. Consequently the vertical concentration distribution of sediment emanating species in the deep hypolimnion is controlled by the bottom topography. 2. Renewal of deep hypolimnic water is significant even during stratification. 3. Weakly damped internal waves characterize the internal dynamics during stratification. 4. Horizontal bottom currents play an important role in the hypolimnion mixing and can be correlated to internal waves during stratification.     

Solute transfer across the sediment surface of a eutrophic lake: I. Porewater profiles from dialysis samplers

Porewater profiles often are used to identify and quantify important biogeochemical processes occurring in lake sediments. In this study, multiple porewater profiles were obtained from two eutrophic Swiss lakes using porewater equilibrators (peepers) in order to examine spatial and seasonal trends in biogeochemical processes. Variability in profile shapes and concentrations was small on spatial scales of a few meters, but the uncertainty in calculated diffusive fluxes across the sediment surface was, on average, 35%. Focusing of Fe and Mn oxides toward the lake center resulted in systematic increases in porewater concentrations and diffusive fluxes of Fe²⁺ and Mn²⁺ with increasing water depth; these fluxes are postulated to be regulated by the pH-dependent dissolution of reduced-metal phases. Despite higher concentrations of inorganic carbon, NH ₄ ⁺ , Si and P in pelagic compared to littoral sites, diffusive fluxes of these substances across the sediment surface increased only slightly or not at all with increasing water depth. Porewater profiles did reveal temporal changes in Fe²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ that were an indirect result of the large, seasonal changes in seston deposition, but no clear seasonal variations were found in diffusive fluxes of nutrients across the sediment surface. The intense mineralization occurring at the sediment surface was not reflected in the porewater profiles nor in the calculated diffusive fluxes. Calculated diffusive fluxes across the sediment surface resulted from decomposition occurring primarily in the top 5–7 cm of sediment. Diffusive fluxes from this subsurface mineralization were equal to the solute release from mineralization occurring at the sediment-water interface. Buried organic matter acts as a memory of previous lake conditons; it will require at least a decade before reductions in nutrient inputs to lakes fully reduce the diffusive fluxes into the lake from the buried reservoir of organic matter.     

西南峡谷型水库的季节性分层与水质的突发性恶化

选择西南云贵高原乌江流域的百花湖水库进行了气象、水温度和水化学(DO、FeⅡ和MnⅡ)的连续监测(13个月).结果表明,由于气候等原因,百花湖水库的水体在夏季形成分层,但是没有典型分层湖泊的温跃层变化,这种水体温度结构可以在4-10月保持稳定;这种"不显著的"温度分层结构,有效限制了上下水团的混合,形成显著的水体溶解氧分层,氧化/还原界面可达到水深8m左右.20世纪90年代初以来,贵州多座水库频繁出现的季节性水质恶化现象,与水库水体混合期(多为夏末初秋),水体分层结构失稳有关.上下层水体的垂直交替,使下层水体中的还原性物质带入上层湖水,造成表层水体缺氧和表观浑浊,鱼类窒息死亡.在百花湖水库的研究表明,西南地区深水水库,可以在夏季出现一定的水体温度分层结构,并导致显著的水体水化学(如溶解氧)分层,进而影响水库水环境质量.     

Parametric uncertainty and sensitivity analysis of hydrodynamic processes for a large shallow freshwater lake

Abstract

A parametric uncertainty and sensitivity analysis of hydrodynamic processes was conducted for a large shallow freshwater lake, Lake Taihu, China. Ten commonly used parameters in five groups were considered including: air–water interface factor, water–sediment interface factor, surrounding terrain factor, turbulent diffusion parameters and turbulent intensity parameters. Latin hypercube sampling (LHS) was used for sampling the parametric combinations, which gave predictive uncertainty results directly without using surrogate models, and the impacts of different parametric distribution functions on the results were investigated. The results showed that the different parametric distribution functions (e.g. uniform, normal, lognormal and triangular) for sampling had very little impact on the uncertainty and sensitivity analysis of the lake hydrodynamic model. The air–water interface factor (wind drag coefficient) and surrounding terrain factor (wind shelter coefficient) had the greatest influence on the spatial distribution of lake hydrodynamic processes, especially in semi-closed bays and lake regions with complex topography, accounting for about 60–70% and 20%, respectively, of the uncertainty on the results. Vertically, velocity in the surface layer was also largely influenced by the two factors, followed by velocity in the bottom layer; the middle velocity had minimal impact. Likewise, the water–sediment interface factor (i.e. bottom roughness height) ranked third, contributing about 10% to the uncertainty of the hydrodynamic processes of the lake. In contrast, turbulent diffusion parameters and turbulent intensity parameters in the lake hydrodynamic model had little effect on the uncertainty of simulated results (less than 1% contribution). The findings were sufficiently significant to reduce the parameter uncertainties and calibration workload of the hydrodynamic model in large shallow lakes.

Editor Z. W. Kundzewicz; Associate editor S. Grimaldi     

A one‐year study of the Rostherne Mere ecosystem: seasonal dynamics of water chemistry,plankton, internal nutrient release,and implications for long‐term trophic status and overall functioning of the lake

A study of Rostherne Mere (Cheshire, UK) was undertaken to reveal relationships among various ecosystem components and assess the progress in lake recovery following sewage diversion. An intensive monitoring programme included measurements of dissolved oxygen, T, pH, electric conductivity, K, Mg, Ca, Si, N and P species, Secchi depth, suspended solids, chlorophyll‐a, phyto‐ and zooplankton counts. Recorded changes and the results of correlation analysis broadly confirmed to the classic limnoecological theory and allowed detailed interpretation of the dynamics observed. The Si level was used to estimate the amount of diatom detritus produced in spring. Chemical profiles were used to estimate the amount of nutrients accumulated in the hypolimnion during the stratified period. These estimates were compared with simulations made using the model of exponential decay, which showed a good performance in the case of Si but considerable underestimation in the case of P. The differences between the values simulated by the model and estimates based on field observations resulted from the additional P release from the sediments. This release could have been stimulated by a combination of factors, including the development of anoxic layers on the sediment–water interface and Si‐induced desorption from Fe, Al and Mn oxides. Internal P loading during the stratified period was thus estimated at about 4–9 g/m², suggesting that rapid changes in the lake's trophic status are at present unlikely. Certain aspects of this work (including interpretation of interrelationships between ecosystem components, estimation of the decomposition constant, analysis of factors controlling nutrient accumulation in the hypolimnion, and a low‐cost method to estimate internal P release) may be useful for studies of other aquatic systems and have, therefore, general limnological applicability. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Equilibrium approaches to natural water systems—Part 3

The concentrational control of Fe²⁺ has been studied in the anoxic hypolimnion of an ice-covered lake with special reference to redox equilibria with the suspended phase. The anoxic bottom water formed during ice conditions differed substantially in terms of vertical distributions from that reported from thermally stratified waters. This was particularly evident for the pH and pe gradients. The main process explaining the Fe²⁺ concentration profile was a diffusional model in which upwards moving Fe²⁺ met an opposing O₂ flux at the redox cline and precipitated as ferric hydroxide. When the anoxic water column is divided into thin stratums an equilibrium reaction between Fe²⁺ and amorphous FeOOH explained the Fe²⁺ concentrations in the upper hypolimnion. Increasing supersaturation was observed at greater depths. Similarly equilibration control of the sulfide concentration by Fe²⁺ could be shown in the lower hypolimnion. Apparent equilibrium constants for FeS and FeOOH have been calculated together with the eddy diffusion coefficient of Fe²⁺.     

太湖：过去、现在和将来

The presence of roads, farm house foundations, wells and Liangzhu period cultural relics in the bottom of Lake Taihu attest to the fact that this shallow depression was probably dry between 4 and 5 thousand years ago. This interpretation is corroborated by the sudden disappearance of algal pigments at sediment depths carbon-14 dated at 4-5 thousand years before present.In winter, the stronger winds are predominantly from the northeast. These winds result in a powerful counterclockwise current that transports lake sediments and has altered the very shape of the lake over the last 300 years. Winds produce a complex mixing pattern in Lake Taihu with storm induced sediment deposition occurring near the lake''s center.During approximately 240 days of the year, the wind blows across Lake Taihu with sufficient force to mix it to its bottom. As a result, this polymictic lake rarely becomes anoxic and dissolved oxygen at the mud water interface is maintained at or above 4 mg·l^-1. The consequences of this high dissolved oxygen are quite impressive as high organic loading to the lake would otherwise render its bottom waters anaerobic killing many of its natural inhabitants.Because suspended solids reduce (attenuate) light penetration, the major primary production takes place in the top metre of the lake (mean Secchi Transparency-0.25 m). Suspended clays are slow to settle and wind mixing keeps fine-grained suspended solids in suspension in all but the most quiet backwaters of the lake.In the recent past about 23 000 metric tonnes of phytoplankton were produced in Lake Taihu. This large production represents only about 5% of the total influx of organic material entering the lake. In summer and fall, cyanobacteria such as Microcystis spp. and Anabaena spp. dominate most of the lake. Recently, however, mixotrophic flagellates displaced cyanobacteria as the dominant algae in parts of Lake Taihu with high bacteria and high suspended solids (e.g. Wuli and Meiliang Bay). In the future, facultative heterotrophs may come to dominate an ever larger portion of the lake waterc column.     

阿哈湖Fe、Mn沉积后再迁移的生物地球化学机理

贵州阿哈湖是一底层滞水带季节性缺氧的中型人工湖。由于长期积累。沉积物顶部微粒悬浮层出现了Ｆｅ、Ｍｎ富集。湖底缺氧时,经生物氧化作用形成的Ｆｅ＾２＋、Ｍｎ＾２＋自沉积物向上覆水体扩散,水体Ｆｅ＾２＋浓度增高比Ｍｎ＾２＋滞后出现且超过前结束。     

The Development of Anoxia in the Artificial Lake Shihwa, Korea, as a Consequence of Intertidal Reclamation

The reclamation of an intertidal flat recently created Lake Shihwa, in Kyunggi province, on the western coast of Korea. The artificial, saline lake was expected to transform into a freshwater one. However, the drainage structure of the lake does not allow entrapped Yellow Sea water to be fully replaced by freshwater from its hinterland. The lake water is strongly stratified with polluted freshwater at the surface and entrapped, saline water on the bottom. The pycnocline, lying at a depth range of 6–8 m, prevents mixing between the two water bodies, and thus generates anoxic conditions in the deeper waters. The pycnocline matches the oxic/anoxic interface between the oxygenated surface water and the hydrogen sulphide rich deep water. Stratification, the inflow of polluted water, and anoxia all contribute to the disastrous pollution of the lake.     

Characterization of lake water and ground water movement in the littoral zone of Williams Lake,a closed‐basin lake in north central Minnesota

Williams Lake, Minnesota is a closed‐basin lake that is a flow‐through system with respect to ground water. Ground‐water input represents half of the annual water input and most of the chemical input to the lake. Chemical budgets indicate that the lake is a sink for calcium, yet surficial sediments contain little calcium carbonate. Sediment pore‐water samplers (peepers) were used to characterize solute fluxes at the lake‐water–ground‐water interface in the littoral zone and resolve the apparent disparity between the chemical budget and sediment data. Pore‐water depth profiles of the stable isotopes δ¹⁸O and δ²H were non‐linear where ground water seeped into the lake, with a sharp transition from lake‐water values to ground‐water values in the top 10 cm of sediment. These data indicate that advective inflow to the lake is the primary mechanism for solute flux from ground water. Linear interstitial velocities determined from δ²H profiles (316 to 528 cm/yr) were consistent with velocities determined independently from water budget data and sediment porosity (366 cm/yr). Stable isotope profiles were generally linear where water flowed out of the lake into ground water. However, calcium profiles were not linear in the same area and varied in response to input of calcium carbonate from the littoral zone and subsequent dissolution. The comparison of pore‐water calcium profiles to pore‐water stable isotope profiles indicate calcium is not conservative. Based on the previous understanding that 40–50 % of the calcium in Williams Lake is retained, the pore‐water profiles indicate aquatic plants in the littoral zone are recycling the retained portion of calcium. The difference between the pore‐water depth profiles of calcium and δ¹⁸O and δ²H demonstrate the importance of using stable isotopes to evaluate flow direction and source through the lake‐water–ground‐water interface and evaluate mechanisms controlling the chemical balance of lakes. Published in 2003 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Impact of environmental variables on spatial and seasonal internal phosphorus loading in a mesoeutrophic lake

Strzeszynskie Lake was formerly a slightly eutrophic (meso-eutrophic) water body. The aim of the current research was to define variables on both spatial and seasonal internal phosphorus loading from bottom sediments at five stations located in zones varying in depth, oxygenation, macrophyte presence, and uses of the neighboring catchment area. Ex situ experiments done with the use of intact bottom sediment cores have shown that the highest phosphorus release occurred in the deepest part of the lake and reached 3.6?mg?P/m²d under anoxic conditions during summer thermal stratification. In turn, the internal loading from littoral sediments, which were well aerated all year round, was clearly lower. Furthermore, phosphorus accumulation in the bottom sediment was observed to reach a maximum of 1.45?mg?P/m² d in autumn. A comparison of the internal loading intensity in lake zones with different land uses of the neighboring catchment area has shown slightly higher values at stations adjacent to the forest catchment area than those used for recreation. Changes in the land use of the catchment area of Strzeszynskie Lake, especially the increase in impermeable surfaces, have led to an increased inflow of external loads after heavy rains, resulting in deterioration in water quality and a delayed increase in internal loading.     

Geochemical and biochemical evidence of lake overturn and fish kill at Lake Averno,Italy

Lake Averno is situated in the homonymous crater in the northwestern sector of the Campi Flegrei active volcanic system in Campania region, Italy. In February 2005 a fish kill event was observed in the lake, prompting a geochemical survey to ascertain the possible cause. In February 2005 a geochemical survey revealed that the lake water was unstratified chemically and isotopically, presumably, as a result of lake overturn. This fish kill phenomenon was recorded at least two other times in the past. In contrast to the February 2005 results, data collected in October 2005, shows the Lake Averno to be stratified, with an oxic epilimnion (surface to 6 m) and an anoxic hypolimnion (6 m to lake bottom at about 33 m).     

Inclusion of adsorption in the modelling of early diagenesis

A general one-dimensional diagenetic equation is derived which expresses the effect of the following processes upon the depth and time distribution of a dissolved species in a modern subaqueous sediment: adsorptive or ion exchange equilibrium between pore water and grain surfaces; slower chemical or radiogenic reactions in the pore solution and on the grain surfaces; diffusion in solution and on grain surfaces; advection of grains due to depositional burial; and advection of water due both to burial and to flow past the grains. It is shown that the effects of equilibrium adsorption can be expressed in terms of a lowered diffusion coefficient only in the special case where there is negligible flow of water relative to grains, adsorption is described by a simple linear isotherm, and there is nochemical reaction occurring in the sediment (i.e. only radioactive decay or no reaction at all). Consideration of a commonly used special case of the general equation indicates that if equilibrium adsorption is strong, the depositional term in the resulting diagenetic equation may become quantitatively as important as the terms for diffusion and chemical reaction. Thus, when modelling diagenesis, deposition often cannot be ignored. A coupled pair of differential equations are also derived which express the steady state depth distribution for two ions exhibiting equilibrium ion exchange while undergoing chemical reaction, diffusion, and deposition.     

Chemical evidence of water movements in the deepest part of Lake Leman (Lake Geneva)

Regular surveys of bottom water chemistry (SiO₂, O₂, Fe, Mn) have been carried from 1978 to 1986 in the deepest 30 m of Lake Léman (max. depth 309 m) including interface waters sampled with a Jenkins Mortimer corer. When compared to normal chemical gradients near bottom, i.e. O₂ decrease and SiO₂ increase, three types of anomalies (lens, interface, and behaviour) have been observed on O₂ and SiO₂, the most sensitive chemical species. These anomalies were found throughout the year, in several stations of the deepest part of the lake and even along the slope of the lake basin. Major anomalies (O₂ + 3 to 10 mg ·l^–1; SiO₂ -1 to 2 mg·l^–1) were generally found at the sediment water interface and may extend 10–20 m above the sediment and last 10 weeks. Others marked lens anomalies could be observed for 3 to 4 months. Several mechanisms are probably responsible for this injection of surface waters along the lake slope (accumulation of turbid water on lake banks after severe windstorms; river density currents due to temperature and/or turbidity difference with lake waters). These water-inputs do not represent important volumes ( 1% total lake volume) but, when occuring at the interface, they ensure a sufficient oxygen level to prevent diffusion of phosphate and ammonia from pore waters when winter lake overturns do not reach bottom layers (from 1972 to 1980). Complete overturns, as observed in 1980/81, are connected with major interface anomalies (bottom O₂ moves up from 2 to 10 mg·l^–1) occuring before surface mixing reaches the deepest layers.     

Anthropogenic influence on the degradation of an urban lake - The Pampulha reservoir in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

The artificial reservoir Lagoa da Pampulha in central Brazil has been increasingly affected by sediment deposition and pollution from urban and industrial sources. This study investigates water chemistry and heavy metal concentrations and their fractionation in the lake sediment using ICP-OES, ICP-MS, and XRD analyses. Fractionation analysis was done by sequential extraction under inert gas as well as after oxidation. The lake exhibits a permanent stratification with an oxygen-free hypolimnion below 2 m depth. Nutrient concentrations are enriched for phosphorous components (SRP, PO₄). In the sediment it was not possible to detect oxygen. Carbon, sulfur, and most of the analyzed heavy metals are enriched in the top sediment layer with a pronounced downward decrease, indicating the presence of an anthropogenic influence. Statistical analysis, including correlations and a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of depth-related total concentration data, helps to distinguish presumably anthropogenic heavy metals from geogenic components. Some samples with high element concentrations in the sediment also show elevated concentrations in their pore water. Analyses of element distribution between sediment and pore water suggest a strong bonding of heavy metals to the anoxic sediment. The trend towards elevated solubility in the pore water of oxidized samples is clear for most of the analyzed elements. Fractionation analysis reveals characteristic associations of selected elements to specific mineral bonding forms. In addition, it indicates that the behavior of heavy metals in the sediment is strongly influenced by organic substances. These substances provide buffering against oxidation, acidification, and metal release. The high nutrient loading causes reducing conditions in the lake sediment. These conditions trigger the accumulation of sediments rich in S²⁻, which stabilizes the fixation of heavy elements. In the future, care must be taken to reduce the supply of contaminants and to prevent the release of heavy metals from sediments dredged for remediation purposes.     

东巢湖沉积物水界面氮、磷、氧迁移特征及意义

以东巢湖近城市湖湾沉积物为研究对象,在沉积物氮、磷营养盐分析的基础上,采用沉积物柱状芯样静态释放模拟法定量评估研究区域沉积物—水界面氨氮、溶解性活性磷酸盐营养盐释放潜力,利用微电极非损伤测定技术获得沉积物—水微界面溶解氧(DO)剖面分布及微界面DO消耗和扩散特征.结果表明:东巢湖近城市湖湾沉积物氮、磷污染物蓄积量较高,受TN、TP污染程度较重.沉积物内源氨氮、磷酸盐释放明显,平均释放速率分别达到32.44 mg/(m~2·d)和1.25mg/(m~2·d),区域内沉积物已成为水柱中氮、磷营养盐的污染源.研究区域上覆水体处于好氧状态,沉积物—水微界面平均DO穿透深度(OPD)达到5.3 mm,平均DO扩散通量为4.56 mmol/(m~2·d),表现出良好的DO扩散能力.沉积物内源氨氮和磷酸盐释放能力与表层沉积物TN/TP物质含量及沉积物—水微界面DO穿透深度有关,在沉积物氮、磷污染较重的情况下,DO穿透深度越低越有利于氮、磷污染物从沉积物向上覆水体释放.     

水源水库季节性分层及悬浮物行为对铁锰迁移的影响——以辽宁省碧流河水库为例

铁和锰是氧化还原敏感的元素,水源水库热分层引起的底层水体缺氧造成了沉积物中铁和锰的释放,对城市供水造成了极大的影响.以往鲜有悬浮物行为对铁和锰在水库水-沉积物界面迁移影响的研究,于2014年2月-2015年2月对碧流河水库深水区的水、悬浮物以及沉积物铁和锰的垂向分布特征进行综合调查分析,并进一步分析铁和锰的季节性变化规律及悬浮物行为对其的影响.Spearman相关分析结果表明铁浓度与总悬浮固体、总氮和总磷的相关性较大;锰浓度与总悬浮固体、溶解氧、pH和总氮的相关性较大.进一步讨论分析表明碧流河水库的热分层、底层缺氧以及沉积物再悬浮是影响铁和锰浓度的重要因素,水库铁和锰的季节变化规律存在差异.分层期溶解态的锰在底层累积,平均浓度达到0.18 mg/L,而沉积物中溶解态的铁释放很少.混合期水库的中上层锰浓度升高,达到了0.07 mg/L.沉积物的再悬浮是水库底层水体中铁的主要来源,底层颗粒态铁的平均浓度约为0.3 mg/L.絮凝的颗粒物以及其吸附的锰在水库长期悬浮,难以沉积到水库底部,使得悬浮物中Mn的含量显著高于表层沉积物,约为沉积物的7倍.建议应在碧流河水库采用分层取水、水库曝气以及联合供水等措施,以减少铁和锰的浓度升高对供水产生的影响,保障大连市城市供水安全.     

Comparison of horizontal and downward particle fluxes across canyons of the Gulf of Lions (NW Mediterranean): Meteorological and hydrodynamical forcing

In the framework of the European project Eurostrataform, an array of six near-bottom mooring lines was deployed in the heads of the major submarine canyons incising the continental slope of the Gulf of Lions (NW Mediterranean). All moorings were equipped with sediment traps, current meters and turbidity Optical Backscatters Sensors (OBS) situated at few meters above the bottom. Particulate mass fluxes were recorded weekly by the sediment traps between November 2003 and May 2004 and compared with horizontal export fluxes obtained from the turbidity and current meters.