Work

Lake Trafford Nutrients Budget and Influxes After Organic Sediment Dredging (South Florida, USA)

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Lake Trafford, a 600-ha subtropical lake in southwestern Florida, has suffered from over 50 years of cultural eutrophication, resulting in the invasion of Hydrilla verticillata and organic sediment accumulation due to herbicide treatments. This study aimed to assess the effects of dredging on nutrient dynamics. A pre-dredging nutrient budget, developed using land use models and climatic data, estimated nutrient loads of 190 kg d−1 for total nitrogen (TN) and 18.6 kg d−1 for total phosphorus (TP), with total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) of 70.4 kg d−1 for TN and 4.15 kg d−1 for TP. Post-dredging analysis, using detailed spatiotemporal data, showed higher nutrient loads of 274.3 kg d−1 for TN and 24.2 kg d−1 for TP. While dredging reduced legacy nutrient accumulation, it led to increased nutrient influx from groundwater, caused by the exposure of organic sediment, as evidenced by increased lake water electrical conductivity. These findings demonstrate the importance of conducting thorough pre-dredging assessments to mitigate unintended consequences, offering practical insights for managing nutrient loads and improving restoration strategies in eutrophic lakes.

Source: Water

DOI: 10.3390/w16223258

Authors: Serge Thomas, Mark A. Lucius, Jong-Yeop Kim, Edwin M. Everham, Thomas M. Missimer

Institutions: Florida Gulf Coast University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Darrin Fresh Water Institute

Language: English

Topic: Aquatic Ecosystems and Phytoplankton Dynamics

Subfield: Environmental Chemistry

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Clean water and sanitation

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,955