Effects of continuous nitrate treatment of hypolimnion in a small, hypereutrophic lake

Abstract

Continuous nitrate treatment is an innovative, nature-based and cost-effective restoration method that has been implemented in a small, hypereutrophic lake by redirecting the nitrate-rich waters of the lake's natural tributaries into its hypolimnion. The aim of this treatment is to increase the redox potential at the sediment-water interface in order to provide conditions for efficient phosphorus binding. To assess the effects of this treatment, studies of the physico-chemical and biological parameters of the lake waters were carried out before its application (PreNT – years 2005–2007), during its application (FullNT – 2008–July 2019), and in the period when installation was partly clogged (LimNT- August 2019–2021). The results show effective improvement of oxygenation of the hypolimnion during the treatment followed by a decrease of phosphorus concentration – a proxy of the reduced internal loading. Water quality gradually improved during the treatment. The periods of cyanobacterial blooms shortened in some years, and ceased in other years, and it was also manifested by the increase in the range of Secchi depth and a decrease in chlorophyll-a concentration. The share of eukaryotic algae in the phytoplankton increased. The method showed high resistance to disturbances in its functioning, because during two years of operation of one pipeline, only a slight deterioration of water quality was observed. This enables effective repair of the hypolimnion's supply of nitrates, without a sudden return to the pre-restoration state. Finally, the benefits and limitations of hypolimnetic nitrate treatment (with nitrate from natural sources) were discussed to facilitate the application of this method to other lakes.