Internal phosphorus loading in Lake Ringsjön

Abstract

Lake Ringsjon did not respond with decreased algal production following a substantial reduction in external phosphorus loading. This is typical of many shallow lakes which for decades have received excessive amounts of nutrients. The inertia is due to large amounts of phosphorus (P) stored in sediments and biota, causing internal phosphorus loading. Much of this phosphorus is thought to be released from the organic-rich profundal sediments. In Lake Ringsjon, only one third of the total bottom area is covered by such sediments, the rest being dominated by sand and silt. In the profundal sediments bulk P content was not exceptionally high (approximately 2 mg P·g DW−1), while the pore water phosphate concentrations, especially in Satofta Basin, were very high, indicating large potential for phosphorus release to the water. This is also indicated by the large proportion of Fe- and Al-bound P in the sediments of Satofta Basin. Although there are no direct quantifications of phosphorus release from the sediments in Lake Ringsjon, measurements of phosphorus concentrations in the water mass as well as budget calculations for the three basins clearly show a high capacity for internal loading. Phosphorus concentrations generally increase during summer, when external additions are minimal. Until 1980, the annual external phosphorus addition to Lake Ringsjon greatly exceeded the output, showing that the lake was an efficient phosphorus trap. Since then, input and output have been balanced, but in recent years signs that the lake is once again retaining phosphorus on an annual basis are evident. There are marked differences between the three basins, with Western Basin generally retaining phosphorus, while the upstream Eastern Basin and Satofta Basin during the 1980s often exported phosphorus. It is not possible to evaluate the effects of the fish biomanipulation on the internal loading of phosphorus from the sediment.