Sediment nutrient flux in a coastal lake impacted by diverted Mississippi River water

Abstract

The internal nutrient load from bottom sediment to the water column of a Louisiana Barataria Basin lake (Lake Cataouatche) receiving diverted Mississippi River water was determined. Dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP), ammonium (NH₄-N) and nitrate (NO₃-N) flux from sediment to water column were measured. The DRP flux averaged−0.22 mg m⁻² d⁻¹ under aerobic water column conditions, as compared with that 3.29 mg m⁻² d⁻¹ under anaerobic conditions. The average NH₄-N released under anaerobic conditions (1.42 mg m⁻² d⁻¹) was significantly greater than rates under aerobic conditions (−0.02 mg m⁻² d⁻¹), indicating a strong relationship between nutrient flux and oxygen availability in the water column. The average NO₃-N flux was 2.13 mg m⁻² d⁻¹ under aerobic conditions as compared with−0.24 mg m⁻² d⁻¹ under anaerobic conditions in the sediment–water column. When the water column maintained under anaerobic conditions was switched to aerobic conditions, the DRP, NH₄-N, and NO₃-N concentrations in overlying water decreased rapidly over a short period of time. The mean annual internal DRP and NH₄-N load from the sediment to the overlying water was estimated to be 69.26 and 29.9 tonnes (Mg) yr⁻¹ respectively, which represents a significant portion of the total nutrient load to the Lake. Results demonstrate that the internal flux of nutrients from sediments can contribute a significant portion of the total nutrient load to the water column and should be considered in decisions on impact of nutrient in diverted Mississippi River on water quality of Barataria Basin.

Keywords:

• Dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP)
• Total phosphorus (TP)
• Nitrogen
• Total maximum daily load (TMDL)
• Internal nutrient load
• Sediment flux

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Louisiana Sea Grant Program and the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources.