Flux of reduced chemical constituents (Fe2+, Mn2+, NH inf4 sup+ and CH4) and sediment oxygen demand in Lake Erie

Sediment pore water concentrations of Fe²⁺, Mn²⁺, NH _inf4 ^sup+ and CH₄ were analyzed from both diver-collected cores and anin situ equilibration device (peeper) in Lake Erie's central basin. Sediment oxygen demand (SOD) was measured at the same station with a hemispheric chamber (including DO probe and recorder) subtending a known area of sediments. The average SOD was 9.4 mM m⁻² day⁻¹ (0.3 g m⁻² day⁻¹). From pore water gradients within the near-surface zone, the chemical flux across the interface was calculated indirectly using Fick's first law modified for sediments. These calculations, using core and peeper gradients, always showed sediment loss to overlying waters, and variations between the two techniques differed by less than an order of magnitude for Fe²⁺ and CH₄. The transport of these reduced constituents can represent a sizeable oxygen demand, ranging from less than 1% for Fe²⁺ and Mn²⁺ to as high as 26% for NH _inf4 ^sup+ , and 30% for CH₄. The average flux of these constituents could account for about a third of the SOD at the sediment-water interface of this station.     

High resolution vertical profiles of pH in recent sediments

High resolution (0.1 cm sampling interval) profiles of pH were obtained from some recent estuarine (Long Island Sound, Chesapeake Bay) and freshwater (Lake Erie) sediments and from laboratory microcosms containing homogenized Lake Erie sediment (both with and without tubificid oligochaetes) by incrementally precessing a micro-pH electrode downward through the sediment. These profiles revealed that hydrogen ion undergoes chemical reactions on a scale smaller than can be resolved using classic 1 cm sampling intervals, and that the vertical distribution of hydrogen ion is affected by bioturbation. In all sediments examined, a local pH minimum occurred immediately below the oxidized zone. In estuarine sediments, a second deeper pH minimum was observed. The presence of tubificids prevented profound pH changes from developing in microcosm sediments treated with a layer of activated sewage sludge and resulted in more modest alterations of pH profile in microcosm sediments lacking such a layer. The technique used in this study is by no means limited to pH. In principal, any chemical species that can be directly determined by electrodes (e.g. O₂, S^-2) may be studied. Microelectrode techniques could be especially useful in the study of chemical gradients around animal burrows and in time series studies of whole core diagenesis.     

Effects of benthic macroinvertebrates on the exchange of solutes between sediments and freshwater

Infaunal macrobenthos (tubificid oligochaetes, chironomid larvae, and unionid bivalves) were studied in laboratory microcosms to determine their effects on freshwater sediment diagnesis and the exchange of solutes between sediments and water. Tubificids enhanced the flux of ammonium, bicarbonate, and silica from sediments. After the onset of anoxia, they decreased the flux of iron and phosphate. Chironomids increased the flux of nitrate, bicarbonate, and silica, but did not affect the flux of phosphate. Pore water concentrations were low within the irrigated burrowed zone for chemical species normally high in reduced sediments. Concentration gradients were less steep in the actively irrigated burrow zone, but radial diffusion to and from burrows, increased rates of organic decomposition, and enhanced diatom frustule dissolution rates result in enhanced mass transport from sediments. Data from an experiment with unionid clams demonstrated the presence of radial diffusion gradients. These clams enhanced the chloride and nitrate flux from sediments, decreased the bicarbonate flux, but did not affect the flux of either phosphate or silicate. Although the clams did not actively irrigate their burrows, their effect on sediments was similar to that of chironomids. Comparison of direct and indirect flux estimates showed that both types of estimates could be highly variable. In general, indirect flux estimates were higher than direct flux estimates.