ISSN:
1420-9055
Keywords:
Particulate phosphorus
;
Rhône
;
Lake Geneva
;
fluvial transport
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract Large volume water samples were taken at Porte du Scex and Bouveret at the mouth of the Upper Rhone River as it enters Lake Geneva. Samples were taken every two weeks during 1982 up until August 1983. Water samples were analyzed for total phosphorus (TP), and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) and were centrifuged in the field using a continuous flow centrifuge to recover the suspended solids following sieving at 63 µm. The 〈 63 µm solids were analyzed for total particulate phosphorus (TPP), organic phosphorus (OP), apatite phosphorus (AP) and non apatite inorganic phosphorus (NAIP). The 〉 63 µm were similarly analyzed and the weight of total solids in both size fractions recorded. Results were compared throughout the period of record to the hydrograph situated at Porte de Scex. The annual cycle of the Rhone can be divided into a low turbidity, low flow winter period (SED 1) and high flow, high turbidity summer season designated (SED 2). Turbidity is well related to discharge. The 〉 63 µm sediment is mobilized at 200 m3 s−1 and thereafter increases in concert with, though at a faster rate than, the 〈 63 µm fraction. The coarse fraction contains significant quantities of phosphorus and in 1982 accounted for 26% of the TPP loading. OP and NAIP are higher in SED 1 than in SED 2 though AP remains constant throughout the year. OP is believed to be driven primarily from point sources whereas NAIP, in addition to point sources, has secondary sources in spring and summer due to sheet erosion from the agricultural soils of the valley. Loadings of phosphorus were calculated by four methods which showed internal consistency though they were higher than previous estimates. Bioavailable phosphorus (BAP) was estimated to account for some 20% of the total phosphorus loading of some 1500 tonnes; BAP is here taken to be the sum of SRP and NAIP and is that portion of the phosphorus load believed to be available to generate phytoplankton growth.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00877281
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