Wild-induced resuspension in a small shallow lake

Resuspension of inorganic sediments in a very shallow Swedish lake is studied using settling sediment traps and measurements of suspended matter. Theoretical aspects of resuspension dynamics is discussed emphasizing special shallow lake aspects. Bottom shear stress distribution is computed for different wind conditions.     

Estimation of the in-situ settling velocity of particles in lakes using a time series sediment trap

SUMMARY 1. We outline a simple method for estimating the in-situ settling velocity of particles in wind disturbed lakes. The total sedimentation rate (primary and secondary sedimentation) was measured during storm events in two lakes using a time series sediment trap.
2. The sediment trap had 12 sample bottles which were programmed to open for periods of 3–4 h, giving total deployment times ranging from 36 to 48 h.
3. Wave mixed layer theory was used to infer if and when sediment resuspension occurred and the first order rate equation was used to estimate the settling velocity of resuspended particles.
4. The settling velocity during three resuspension events in Lough Neagh and one in Lough Macnean were 34.3, 29.5, 24.1 and 77.3 m day⁻¹, respectively. These are similar to values obtained using recent in-situ video imaging in marine environments, but much larger than previous lake sediment trap studies.     

Geochemistry of suspended and settling solids in two freshwater lakes

This study describes the 1987–1992 time variationof the bulk chemical composition, levels of heavymetals, arsenic, nitrogen and phosporous insuspended and settling solids in Lake Volkerak andLake Zoom (The Netherlands). Suspended and setlingsolids were collected with continuous flowcentrifuges and sediment traps, respectively. Therelations between solids characteristics and metalconcentrations in the particles were investigatedusing correlation and factor-analysis. Heavy metals,except manganese, were associated with clay contentof the particles and with organic carbon which wasmainly determined by phytoplankton growth. Manganesewas correlated with Org-C only. Clay and organicmatter with associated heavy metals showed negativetrends on all locations, and a seasonality due toalgal biomass dilution. It is concluded that thetrophic state significantly affects trace metalcycling. Sediment traps collect different types ofparticles than continuous flow centrifuges. Thetraps collect particles with higher clay content,lower Org-C concentrations and higher Org-C/Nelemental ratios than the centrifuges. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Microbial destruction of organic matter in the bottom sediments of Lithuanian lakes

The rates of the processes of bacterial sulfate reduction (SR) and total destruction of organic matter (D_total) were studied in the bottom sediments (BS) of 14 lakes in Lithuanian national and regional parks in the summers of 1998–2002. Anaerobic processes accounted for an average of 92% of D_total in the depressions of deep-water lakes; for the sediments of shallow lakes, high rates of oxygen uptake were noted. The SR rate in different lakes varied from 0.09 to 2.60 mg S^2?/(dm³ day). At low sulfate concentrations (13.3–70.6 mg S-SO ₄ ^2? /dm³), characteristic of the BS of freshwater ecosystems, the main factor that affected the SR rate in the BS of the lakes studied was the content of readily available organic matter; only in special cases, was it affected by a change in the sulfate ion concentration. In shallow lakes, temperature-dependent activation of sulfate-reducing bacteria and their inhibition by acidification of the environment were recorded. The contribution of SR to D_total was 0.2 to 11.0%.     

Relations between resuspension and the content of 137Cs in freshwater fish in some Swedish lakes

In many Swedish lakes, the fallout of ¹³⁷Cs from the Chernobyl accident in April 1986 has largely accumulated in the sediments. The availability and transfer of deposited ¹³⁷Cs to biota is influenced by factors such as resuspension. The frequency of resuspension and the ¹³⁷Cs-content of different fish species was studied in three shallow lakes in Uppland, central Sweden, and in one deeper lake in northern Sweden. Resuspension was measured by the use of sediment traps. Sedimentation rates measured from the traps in the shallower lakes were 5–10 times higher than normal for this type of lake, indicating that resuspension was an important factor. The decrease of the ¹³⁷Cs-content in muscle tissue of pike, perch and roach was slow in each of the shallow lakes. ¹³⁷Cs decreased by about 30% over a period of 2 years in the shallowest lake (maximum depth 4 m), whereas ¹³⁷Cs decreased by 50% in the deeper lakes (maximum depth 10 m). The slower rates of decline of ¹³⁷Cs in biota from the shallow lakes, are probably a function of sediment dynamics (mainly influenced by lake morphometry, wind direction and strength). They may be influenced, also, by bioavailability of resuspended sediment material. In the deepest northern lake, much of the ¹³⁷Cs-containing material collected in the sediment traps originated from the catchment area. Resuspension was minimal, and the high activity of ¹³⁷Cs in the sediment had no effect on content or decline of ¹³⁷Cs in lake fish.     

Organic matter composition of gravel-stored sediments from salmon-bearing streams

The objective of this project was to evaluate the changing composition and structure of the sediment-associated organic matter (OM) stored in the gravel bed of highly productive salmon-bearing streams and, determine if the OM changes affect the morphology and settling rates of the sediment. In July of 2001, a dozen infiltration gravel bags were buried in the channel bed of O'Ne-eil Creek in northern British Columbia (Canada) to collect fine sediment and the associated organic matter for chemical and morphological analysis. The bags were removed over a 10 week period which incorporated summer low flows, salmon spawning, salmon die-off and the onset of autumn low flow conditions. Our results indicate two visibly different structures in the organic matter film overlying the mineral material of the flocs. A web-like structure was noted during mid-spawn while a film-like covering was observed in pre-spawn and post-fish periods. The strength of the film-like covering is surmised to be associated with the larger gravel-stored floc sizes noted at these times. Chemical analysis of these biofilms indicated higher metal complexation properties during the spawning periods as opposed to before or after salmon were present. The changing OM contributions were associated with changes in floc size, density and settling rates. The physical disturbance to the gravels associated with spawning salmon was also correlated with altered characteristics of the gravel-stored flocs.     

Phosphorus Losses from the Epilimnion in Římov Reservoir

The amount of settling phosphorus was measured in Římov Reservoir using sediment trap technique from April 1986 to April 1987. Sediment traps were placed at three depths near the dam of the reservoir and at the bottom along the reservoir. The highest amount of phosphorus in trapped material was found during the fall turnover in the epilimnion and near the bottom in both spring periods (1986,1997). During the growing season the changes in dry weight and total phosphorus in settling seston were related to changes of phytoplankton biomass in the trophogenic layer. The amount of trapped phosphorus was higher near the bottom than in the upper layers of the reservoir throughout the year.     

Deepwater sediments and trophic conditions in Florida lakes

Sediment cores were taken from near maximum depth in 15 Florida lakes representing a wide range of trophic conditions. Chemical analyses of surface sediments showed Al, Fe, and Ca to be the most abundant elements in all samples, and the ratio of Al to Ca to be smaller for eutrophic lakes. Sediment organic matter increased with trophic state, as did the degree to which it was enriched in nitrogen. Corresponding sediment C/N ratios decreased with increasing lake trophic state and showed significant negative correlation with chlorophylla, total N, and total P in the water column. Concentrations of sedimentary chlorophyll derivatives showed some relation to trophic state but differences in basin morphometry hinder its use as an inter-lake index of chlorophyll production.     

Whole-lake lead burdens in sediments of lakes in southern Ontario,Canada

The anthropogenic stable lead content of the sediments of eight softwater Precambrian lakes in southern Ontario was measured at 34–92 sites per lake. Whole-lake anthropogenic lead burdens varied between only 610 and 770 mg m^–2. There was no relationship between lead burden and either water replenishment time of the lake (T_W) or the ratio of watershed area to lake area (Ad/A₀), which varied by factors of 4 and 12 respectively. These results can be explained if a) the lead deposition in this region is uniform, and b) the only significant input of lead to the lakes is via deposition from the atmosphere directly on the lakes' surfaces. Therefore spatial differences in anthropogenic lead within a lake represent the redistribution or focusing pattern of the sediments.     

Bottom dynamics in lakes

A proper understanding of the bottom dynamic conditions (erosion, transportation, accumulation) in lakes is essential in most sedimentological contexts. Fine cohesive materials generally dominate the open water areas, whereas coarser deposits (sand, gravel) dominate shallow regions where erosion and transportation of fine materials prevail. At present, there is no physical model available which describes the linkage between the energy content of the water-mass and the capacity for sediment entrainment in open water areas. Water-mass energy depends on, e.g. wind direction, duration, velocity, fetch, and the presence of a thermocline. Entrainment depends on, e.g. density, compaction, water and organic content of the sediments and the number and type of bottom fauna. Four different methods are used to determine bottom dynamics, two aresite typical and two arelake typical.Site andlake typical methods each include one method based on collected field data and one based on theoretical data. One method, the cone apparatus, is presented for the first time. It consists of two cones, one of which has a narrow angle and the other a wide angle, which are zero adjusted at the sediment surface before being released to penetrate the sediments. The differential cone penetration, refered to as the penetration ratio, is used to indicate the degree of surficial sediment compaction. This simple, inexpensive instrument provides quantitative data on physical sediment characteristics which may be related to bottom dynamic conditions.     

Endogenic development of sediments in a eutrophic lake

Sedimentation in the Gouet reservoir (France), measured for 2 years at 8 stations, was maximal during summer, when river inputs were minimal. Physical and chemical conditions in the deposits indicate that the endogenous part of sedimentation was about 70% and resulted from significant diatom production. The high sedimentation rate on the bottom was favoured by the funnel morphology of the reservoir, the chronic lack of oxygen in the water column, and the repeated copper sulfate treatment. The former river meanders of the reservoir were the preferential deposit sites.     

Importance of sediments in understanding nutrient cyclings in lakes

Inorganic and organic nutrients are continuously transported to lake bottoms by sedimentation. By various biological, physical, chemical and mechanical processes quantities of certain nutrients can be brought back to the free water again. This cycling between the sediments and water may occur according to various schemes dependent on lake type and bottom conditions. Lake morphology, temperature regimes, trophic level and sediment type can all strongly influence the size of nutrient pools and rates of turnover.The various activities of bacteria, benthic algae, macrophytes, benthic invertebrates and fish, in conjunction with influences of temperature, pH-values, Eh-values, water content, organic matter and elemental sediment composition, lead to the extremely complex nature of nutrient cycling. Three essential components of aquatic ecosystems are discussed, namely carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus.The objective of this paper is to illustrate in condensed form the heterogeneous nature of nutrient cycling processes. In addition, the importance of sediments in understanding nutrient cycling is discussed from a water management perspective.     

Zinc in water and sediments of two finnish lakes

The distribution of zinc in Lake Vanajavesi and Lake Mallasvesi, South Finland, was determined on the basis of water and sediment studies. Lake Vanajavesi is one of the most polluted of large inland lakes, in Finland. The zinc load comes mainly from industrial sources. Lake Mallasvesi, situated near Vanajavesi, is in almost natural condition. The water samples were taken by a Ruttner sampler. In collecting sediment samples, a freezing technique was used. The results of zinc analyses indicate that, during several winters, zinc has spread with waste water to different parts of L. Vanaja against the main course of flow. A close correlation between sedimentation of zinc and waste discharge from a textile factory was found in the present study.     

Photographic demonstration of the annual nature of a varve type common in N. Swedish lake sediments

Several lakes in northern Sweden have laminated sediments, of which many are interpreted as varved (annually laminated). In one of these lakes, a core of the recent sediment has been sampled annually since 1979 (except 1984). These cores verify that one varve, comprising of a thick summer layer (often colour-banded) and a thin winter layer, is formed each year. The cores also show, that, other than compaction, no change in visual appearance of the individual varves takes place after they have been overlain by new varves.     

Entrainment,deposition, and transport of fine-grained sediments in lakes

Recent work on the settling, diffusion, entrainment, and deposition of fine-grained sediments in fresh water is reviewed and synthesized. Particular attention is given to the dependence of these processes on sediment properties such as particle size. The application of this knowledge to the analysis and numerical modeling of sediment transport is also discussed. Much of the work is concerned with the Great Lakes and, more specifically, with the Western Basin of Lake Erie.     

Incidence of deformed chironomid larvae (Diptera: Chironomidae) in Swedish lakes

The occurrence of deformed mouth parts in recent and subfossil material of mostly Chironomus, Micropsectra and Tanytarsus increased from less than 1 % of the larvae at unpolluted sites or time periods to figures in the range of approx. 5–25% at strongly polluted sites. Deformities occurred in species that are widely separate in taxonomic position and way of living. Several heavy metals are suspected causative agents. Deformities in various mouth parts are illustrated by SEM photographs.     

Lead-210 dating of sediments compared with accumulation rates estimated by natural markers and measured with sediment traps

Methods to provide accurate accumulation rates for lake models are discussed. Cores were taken in 1979 in two basins of Lake Lucerne, Switzerland, and accumulation rates were calculated by using Pb-210 dating and by a natural landslide marker of 1795 in one basin (Weggis). In the other basin (Horw Bay) the sediment accumulation rates based on the lead method were compared with yearly sedimentation rates measured by sediment traps in 1969/70. At the Weggis station, the core dating yielded sediment accumulation rates of about 400 g dry wt. m^–2 y^–1 with the lead method, averaged over a sediment depth of 4–20 cm; accumulation was about 700 g dry wt. m^–2 y^–1 with the marker method, averaged over 0–33 cm. In Horw Bay, the trap method yielded about 1300 g dry wt. M^–2 y^–1 compared with 400–1000 g dry wt. m^–2 y^–1 obtained with the lead method and related to various depth intervals. The characteristic sources of error of the three methods as well as several hypotheses for these discrepancies are discussed.     

Deposition,resuspension, and decomposition of particulate organic matter in the sediments of Lake Itasca,Minnesota, USA

Sediment traps were used to investigate the settling, resuspension, and decomposition of particulate organic matter in Lake Itasca, MN (USA). Traps were deployed in the epilimnion and hypolimnion of the deepest basin during June, 1988, sampled twice during stratified conditions (August, September) and once after the lake had mixed (October). The downward flux of particulate material increased from summer to fall. The net sedimentation of organic matter ranged from 0.6 to 2.3 g m^–2 d^–1 at 4 m and increased to 2.1 to 3.2 g m^–2 d^–1 two meters above the bottom sediment indicating that resuspended sediment was at least 33% of the settling mass during all periods. The C:N ratios of captured particles (6.8–9.5) were between the ratios of plankton (5.8 to 6.8) and the sediments (9.9 to 10.2) but smaller than the ratios of terrestrial organic materials (13.5 to 222). The monosaccharide compositions of the entrapped particles were similar to plankton samples and different from the distinct composition of the sediments. Capture of rebound particles similar to the primary flux and not decomposition may have been responsible for this similarity. Total monosaccharide concentrations were lower in the sediments than in entrapped particles. Individual sugars exhibited different patterns of accumulation in the sediments. Glucose was lowest in sediments when the relative concentrations were compared to those in source materials and entrapped particles. In contrast, sediments had the highest rhamnose and fucose concentrations. Bacterial biomass could only account for small portions of these sugars in the sediment. The distinct monosaccharide composition of resuspended sediments was not strongly recorded in materials captured by the sediment traps even after the lake had mixed.