Modeling Effects of Sediment Diagenesis on Recovery of Hypolimnetic Oxygen
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 139, Issue 1
Abstract
Diagenesis of particulate organic matter in sediments can have important effects on the dissolved oxygen (DO) resources of lakes and delay potential benefits from reductions in phosphorus (P) loading. A sediment diagenesis model of intermediate complexity, , is developed and tested for Onondaga Lake, New York, and linked to a validated one-dimensional mechanistic hydrodynamic/stratification model (UFILS4). Modeling was supported by detailed characterization of the pelagic sediments and long-term monitoring of the lake’s water column that included transformation from hypereutrophy to upper mesotrophy and coupled improvements in hypolimnetic DO. performed well in representing the observed decreasing trajectory of the downward flux of particulate organic carbon and in predicting the decreases in sediment effluxes of dissolved inorganic carbon and sediment oxygen demand over a 30-year period. and the linked overall water-quality model, , were applied to project the extent and timing of improvements in sediment fluxes and hypolimnetic DO resources for an array of P management alternatives. Substantial delays in response associated with the effects of diagenesis were predicted that extended to reach 95% of steady state. Long-term projections indicate that improvements from the most aggressive P control alternatives may be sufficient to maintain certain coldwater fish.
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Acknowledgments
This is contribution No. 296 of the Upstate Freshwater Institute. This research paper was not fully reviewed and encompassed by the ACJ peer reviewed modeling process. As such, it represents the views and conclusions of the authors and not those of Onondaga County.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 139 • Issue 1 • January 2013
Pages: 44 - 53
Copyright
© 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Nov 16, 2011
Accepted: May 24, 2012
Published online: May 28, 2012
Published in print: Jan 1, 2013
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