Phosphorus and Nitrogen Budgets of Barton Broad and Predicted Effects of a Reduction in Nutrient Loading on Phytoplankton Biomass in Barton, Sutton and Stalham Broads, Norfolk, United Kingdom

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Barton, Sutton and Stalham Broads are shallow, man‐made lakes formed in mediaeval times when peat excavations were flooded. Recently, a once diverse submerged macrophyte flora has, in most broads, been replaced by large phytoplankton populations. This change has been attributed to increased nutrient loadings. The seasonal cycles of chlorophyll α, nitrogen and phosphorus in the three broads are described and the inputs of nitrogen and phosphorus to Barton Broad are budgeted. A reduction in the phosphorus loading is recommended as the best method of restricting phytoplankton populations in these broads. An equation relating phosphorus loading, flushing rate, mean depth and retention coefficient to mean standing phosphorus concentration is used to predict the reduction in phosphorus loading required to limit phytoplankton populations and permit the re‐establishment of submerged macrophytes.