Effects of Suspended Sediments on the Chlorophyll-Phosphorus Relationship in Oxbow Lakes

S S Knight, R F Cullum, C M Cooper, R E Lizotte

Abstract


Agricultural activities are considered, by some, to be a major source of nonpoint source pollution in the UnitedStates. The Clean Water Act requires states to improve impaired waters by establishing Total Maximum Daily Loads(TMDLs) of such pollutants as sediment, nutrients and pesticides. Most states attempt to establish TMDLs fornutrient levels in such a way that a balance is achieved between nutrient and chlorophyll a concentrations so thata sustainable fishery is maintained. Several authors have published chlorophyll-phosphorus relationships forsoutheastern lakes and impoundments based on annual means. Unfortunately, these relationships will notnecessarily be valid in light-limited lakes damaged by sediment. Regression analysis of total phosphorus, totalsediment and chlorophyll a concentrations indicate significant relationships between all three water qualityparameters in three Mississippi Delta oxbow lakes. Total phosphorus and total sediment concentrations werepositively correlated, while total phosphorus and chlorophyll a were negatively correlated. While this relationshipseems counterintuitive, further analysis indicates that when suspended solids are less than 150 mg L!1 there is apositive significant relationship between chlorophyll a and total phosphorus. When suspended solids exceed 150mg L!1 there is a negative significant relationship between chlorophyll a and total phosphorus. This informationshould prove useful to water resource managers responsible for establishing TMDLs and water quality criteria whereboth sediments and nutrients cause impairment.

Keywords


Agriculture, Water Quality, Nutrients, Impairment, Turbidity, Secchi Depth, Primary Productivity

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