Cellular Phosphorus Concentration as a Criterion for Trophic Status in Rapidly Flushed Lakes

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Abstract
By using the steady-state concentration of cellular phosphorus(P) as the indicator of a lake's trophic status, we derived equations that describe the flushing rate at which cellular washout might be expected, and the range of flushing rates in which cellular P concentrations would be reduced significantly below those of total P. Calculated concentrations of cellular P and total P are virtually identical for lakes with flushing rates below about 10 yr−1; at higher rates they may differ substantially. The P mass balances equations we developed consider total P to consist of two components: cellular P and available P. Lakes are treated as completely mixed flow-through reactors with constant P influx. The equations describe conditions in which available P remains in solution until it is removed by algal uptake or lost through sedimentation or outflow. Algae are lost from the system by sedimentation or are discharged through the lake outlet. The transfer of P from available to cellular forms is described by Michaelis–Menten growth kinetics.

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