CHANGE IN LAKE TROPHIC STATE AND INTERNAL PHOSPHORUS RELEASE AFTER ALUMINUM SULFATE APPLICATION1

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Abstract
Recovery of eutrophic lakes after nutrient diversion may be delayed if the lake experiences significant internal phosphorus (p) loading to the water column. A maximum dose of aluminum sulfate, defined herein, was applied to the anaerobic sediments of the hypolimnia of two dimictic Ohio lakes following septic tank diversion, with the objective of attaining long term control of the release of phosphorus to the water column from these sediments. The results were compared to a similar, downstream, untreated lake. Total phosphorus concentration declined sharply after treatment and has remained so through 1980 for both lakes, a period of 5 and 6 years of control, respectively. Internal P loading from anaerobic, hypolimnetic sediments was partially controlled by the treatment but there are other important sources, perhaps in the littoral zone, in these lakes. Algal biomass is Smaller and water transparency has increased. Both lakes became mesotrophic after treatment, as described by the Carlson (1977) trophic state index, and remain in that improved condition to date. No deleterious side effects were observed, although one lake experienced a significant decrease in diversity of planktonic microcrustacea and a lakeward extension of the macrophyte community. This method appears to be an effective and lasting means of accelerating the recovery of a eutrophic lake following nutrient diversion.