Concentrations and Kinetics of Phosphorus Fractions in Water from Streams Entering Lake Memphremagog

Abstract

This study examines the possibility that the proportions of different P fractions may vary among rivers, and hence, that the P supplied to lakes may differ in its availability for algae regardless of any similarities in the total P concentration of river waters. Surface water from eight streams and groundwater was collected at roughly monthly intervals from June 1975 to September 1976 and analyzed to determine the concentrations of P fractions and the interrelations between these forms and orthophosphate. Despite differences in total P concentration, (18–64 μg/L) the proportions of P in different fractions were relatively constant seasonally and geographically. Soluble P formed about one third and PO4 < 10% of the total P. These values were not greatly affected by urban drainage but both were increased in small headwater streams during periods of low water. Soluble P was divided into two roughly equal fractions by gel filtration: a large molecular weight fraction (> 5000 mol wt) which eluted at void volume and a small molecular weight fraction (< 400 mol wt) which eluted with 32P-PO4. This latter fraction also included some small organic phosphates. Soluble reactive phosphate consistently overestimated PO4. The exchange of P between PO4 and suspended material was slow in winter and more rapid in summer, although only rivers draining lakes, embayments, or bogs reached the very rapid values reported from lakes. As in lakes, soluble organic P entered into the short-term P dynamics of streams as indicated by the labeling of large molecular weight P during equilibration of river water with radioactive phosphate. This exchange shows that at least a portion of the soluble organic and particulate P is available to the plankton once the river water enters a lake. The uncertainty as to the size of this portion leads to uncertainty in predicting the impact of P loading on lakes. Key words: nutrient budget, P loading, orthophosphate, soluble organic P, drainage basins