Abstract

Fifteen sediment cores from Lake Memphremagog showed pronounced peaks of total phosphorus concentration within the 210Pb‐defined mixed layer, suggesting that P was migrating upward and accumulating near the mud surface. The mobility of P in the sediments was confirmed by the rapid development (5 weeks) of a marked total P maximum in the upper centimeter of a previously homogenized sediment. Associated with the P migration was a steep gradient of soluble reactive P (SRP) concentration, presumably the result of a redox gradient in the sediments. Similar gradients of total P and SRP were observed in nondisturbed sediments, strongly suggesting that such an upward migration mechanism also operates under natural conditions. The remobilized P seems to be isotopically exchangeable (mobile) under anaerobic conditions. These observations indicate that profiles of sediment total P may not always be useful in determining historical P loading or P sedimentation rates in lakes.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.