Fernan Lake Wetlands: Nutrient Sink or Source?

The contribution of internal phosphorus loading from wetland

sediments on lake eutrophication.





Submitted to The National Science Foundation, EPSCoR MURI program
Submitted on September 2013

Jessica Balbiani
Environmental Science, Physical Option
University of Idaho
balb0904@vandals.uidaho.edu
(425)463-6793

Advisor: Dr. Frank M. Wilhelm, Fish and Wildlife Science, University of Idaho


ABSTRACT:

Eutrophication, a phenomenon that results from large inputs of nutrients into water systems, is
the number one threat to freshwater resources (Downing 2013). Eutrophication can cause large
fish kills that result in food chain collapse and large, sometimes toxic cyanobacteria blooms.
Fernan Lake, a small 112ha lake located just east of Coeur dAlene, Idaho, is currently
experiencing server summer eutrophication. A TMDL (total daily maximum load) was compiled
by Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to determine the source of all nutrients
entering Fernan Lake. According to the TMDL, most nutrient inputs are from point and non-
point sources, while internal loading was considered insignificant. However, flooding imposed
on the lake by a dam could flood the wetland adjacent to the lake, causing conditions that
could foster internal loading of phosphorus. The goal of this project will be to determine if the
wetland area connected to Fernan Lake does release phosphorus and therefore contribute to
the eutrophication occurring at the lake. Oxygen depletion rates and phosphorus release rates
will be determined.

INTRODUCTION (LITERATURE REVIEW)

Water is an essential component of all life and as such it is arguably the most valuable resource
on earth. To use the words of Nobel Prize winner and biochemist Albert Szent-Gyorgyi, water
is lifes matter and matrix, mother and medium there is no life without water. And yet it
remains one of the most threatened resources by human behavior. Freshwater represents
about 2.5 percent of all water on Earth (Wetzel, 2001) of which only 31.4% is available for use
and consumption by humans, plants, and animals; making freshwater not only a finite resource
but an extremely limited one as well (USGS 2013).

Excess amounts of nutrients, primarily nitrogen and phosphorus, represent the most prevalent
source of surface water pollution in the United States (DEQ ID, 2013). Sources of these
pollutants include agriculture, sediment-bound nutrients, and residential fertilizer use. Runoff
transports nutrients into aquatic ecosystems where they become bioavailable and stimulate
excessive growth (Bennett, 2001). This phenomenon is known as cultural eutrophication
(Sawyer, 1966). According to Downing (2013), eutrophication is the number one problem facing
freshwater resources in 2013.

The formation of algae blooms depend on the presence of nitrogen and phosphorus in the
water body. Algae take up these nutrients in quantities outlined by Redfields ratio (Falkowski,
2000), which states that in a balanced system phytoplankton consume one phosphorus for
every seven nitrogen by mass (Wetzel, 2001). When excess phosphorus becomes available in
aquatic ecosystems, the system becomes nitrogen limited. As a result a phytoplankton
community dominated by cyanobacteria is favored due to its unique ability to fix atmospheric N
and thus overcome N-limitation (Redfield, 1958). This allows cyanobacteria populations to
thrive in N-limited conditions, resulting in large algae blooms. Such blooms can potentially
degrade drinking water quality and destroy fisheries if cyanotoxins, poisons produced by some
cyanobacteria, are present. Blooms of cyanobacteria also increase turbidity and decrease light
penetration thereby limiting photosynthesis of other aquatic plants. The decay of plants and
dead cyanobacteria consumes oxygen, creating anoxic conditions at depth. The anoxic
conditions foster a positive feedback via internal loading (see below).

Internal loading, a phenomenon involving the release of nutrients, primarily P, from the
sediments of aquatic ecosystems occurs under anoxic conditions at the sediment water
interface (Sondergaard, 2001). Thus any oxygen consuming process (chemical or biological) that
results in the depletion of oxygen from the water can contribute to the formation of anoxic
conditions. Such processes include the break-down of organic material or extended periods of
stratification. In the case of summer stratification in dimictic lakes, the isolation of the
hypolimnion from the epilimnion can deprive the hypolimnion of oxygen, thereby becoming
anoxic. Under these conditions ferric phosphate is oxidized. It dissociates to soluble ferrous
phosphate, which increases the concentration of phosphate in the hypolimnion. This free
phosphate can be transported to epilimnetic waters via metalimnetic entrainment (James,
1990) or with the onset of fall turnover. The addition of this phosphate to the epilimnion also
contributes to N-limitation and promotes the growth of cyanobacteria. To remedy the
overabundance of phosphate, efforts have focused on limiting the amount of P that enters
waterbodies directly or by using in-lake treatments. In the USA, state and federal legislation
such as the Clean Water Act (Bennett, 2001) and the National Pollution Discharge Elimination
System (NPDES) have targeted the reduction of pollution in surface waters, including the
reduction of the nutrients N and P. In-lake remediation such as maintaining an oxidized
hypolimnion by introducing oxygen via aeration has also been used to combat anoxia and
internal loading (Smith, 1975). Simpler solutions include raising reservoir water levels in an
effort to dilute incoming nutrients. This is an approach being used at Fernan Lake, located in
the City of Coeur DAlene in northern Idaho, USA (TMDL 2013). Although raising the water level
appears intuitive, especially given that many reservoirs undergo oligotrophication as they age
(Ney, 1996), the strategy may not be effective if raising the water level inundates significant (in
area) semi-moist upland or wetland areas which could act as a source of nutrients if flooded.

Wetlands represent transition zones between the terrestrial and aquatic environment, and are
characterized by a water table at or near the soil surface, hydric soils, and vegetation able to
withstand repeated inundation (Mitsch, 1986). Wetlands reduce the velocity of inflowing water
allowing suspended sediments to settle. This reduces inputs of sediment-bound nutrients like
phosphorus into water bodies. Aquatic plants also take up nutrients from the soil and store
them in the organic material, making the nutrients unavailable for phytoplankton. Thus
wetlands can be repositories (sinks) of nutrients that would otherwise enter aquatic
ecosystems. However under certain conditions, including anoxia at the sediment-water
interface brought on by decomposition of plant material or flooding, wetlands can also be
sources of nutrients, especially P (Angler, 2003). This phenomenon was observed in
Okeechobee, Florida when nutrient rich agricultural land was flooded to simulate wetland
habitat. The result was a rapid increase in TP concentrations in the water column and anoxia at
the sediment water interface (Pant, 2003).


















PROJECT OVERVIEW

The Fernan Lake Addendum to the Coeur dAlene Lake and River Subbasin Assessment and
TMDL currently accounts all phosphorous loading into Fernan Lake to external point and
nonpoint sources. However limited internal loading was considered when calculating TP under
the assumption that the lakes infrequent stratification would prevent significant amounts of
phosphorous from entering the water column (TMDL, pg 42). Flooding conditions imposed on
the lake as a result of a dam on the outlet stream may alter the wetlands characteristics. When
the dam is closed, the water level in the lake can rise up to a foot and flood the wetland located
on the north eastern shore. Under these conditions it is possible that the wetlands enter an
anoxic state that facilitates the release of sediment--bound phosphorous into the water
column. This source of phosphorous could be significant and ultimately increase the previously
established TP load in Fernan Lake.

The objective of this study will to determine if the wetlands at the east end of Fernan Lake act
as a sink or source of phosphorus when inundated. The water column above the wetlands will
be analyzed for oxygen concentration and total phosphorus, both during regular and flooded
conditions. The comparison of the concentrations between the two water levels will determine
how the wetland responds to periodic flooding and if additional internal phosphorus loading
occurs as a result of flooding. Specifically, I will test the hypothesis that anoxic conditions occur
during flooding and that the wetland is a P source rather than sink, ultimately contributing to P
in Fernan Lake.






















METHODS

Field research will be conducted during site visits between the dates of 15 January and 31
February of 2014 while the lake and wetlands are ice-covered. Sediment cores from the
wetland bottom will be collected with a K-B corer with a 5 cm diam. tube.

Between 7 and 10 sites will be cored, depending on the extent of flooding determined from
aerial photographs and discussions with long-time lake residents. Triplicate cores will be taken
from each site. Depending on weather conditions at the time of collection, core samples will be
collected one of two ways. If the wetland is frozen, coring will be performed from the top of
the ice sheet after opening a suitable hole in the ice. If the wetland is not ice-covered, cores
will be taken from a boat. Sites will be selected randomly using a grid pattern distributed over
the area of inundation in the wetland. At least one site will be selected from an area normally
inundated with water (not as a result of the dam, but as a result of the lakes normal water
level) to act as a control and to provide baseline data before a flooding event. Each core will be
labelled with a site description and triplicate number, and then stored in a bucket to reduce
mixing. Ice and water depth, and temperature will be measured at each coring site.

In the lab, cores will be sealed with rubber stoppers to prevent oxygen entry or loss and stored
in a walk-in refrigerator at 4C prior to starting the incubation experiment. All cores will be
incubated at 25C (the maximum average surface temperature) in order to simulate worst case
scenario summer conditions. Total phosphorus (TP) and dissolved oxygen (DO) will be
monitored in each core for a period of 2 to 5 days (Nowlin 2005). TP will be analyzed using
procedures outlined in EPA Standard Methods 365.3 and DO will be analyzed using procedures
outlined in EPA Standard Methods 360.1 (EPA 1983). Single TP and DO measurements will be
taken from each core in each triplicate set at one day intervals throughout the incubation
period (Nrnberg 1986). The time-series data will be analyzed to establish a daily release rate
for TP and determine the amount of internal loading occurring in the wetlands during the
summer months. This quantity (if any) will help determine future strategies to mitigate
eutrophication at Fernan Lake.


Tentative Time Line

15 Jan 31 Feb 2014.Visit Fernan Lake wetland, collect 9 cores

1 Mar 31 Mar 2014...Incubate cores and collect DO, TP, DP samples

1 Apr 15 Apr 2014.Analyze samples, synthesize results

16 Apr 31 Apr 2014.Prepare final report and poster

1 May 16 May 2014..Present poster at EPSCoR Conference

PREPARATION

As a senior at the University of Idaho, I have not only maintained an impressive GPA of 3.51 but
I have also taken a variety of courses related to the study area of this project. Below is a
selection of courses I have taken that qualify me to successfully complete this project.

Ground Water Hydrology
Comfortable using Darcys equation to calculate conductivity, discharge, etc.
Capable of solving simple hydrological problems
Techniques of Ground Water Study
Performed a slug test and pump test on wells in the UIGFL
Calculated hydraulic conductivity using slug test data
Environmental Hydrology
Explored methods of ground water remediation
Determined how effective porosity, advection, diffusion, hydrodynamic
dispersion, and average linear velocity affect plume migration
Limnology
Determined water quality based on invertebrates, water chemistry, and physical
characteristics
Performed a pond analysis for a land owner and prepared comprehensive report

In addition to the above coursework, I have also completed two semesters of Chemistry,
Introductory Physics, Evolutionary Biology, Statistics, three semesters of Calculus, and GIS
primer.

Also, I participated in an internship with the University Of Idaho Sustainability Center. As an
Energy Evaluation Intern I did the following:

Performed energy audits for eight local businesses
Evaluated energy consumption, building efficiency, and business behavior
Calculated energy use, with assistance from Avista, to produce a 20 page
client report outlining conservation techniques and economic savings

From this experience I gained valuable knowledge of how to effectively communicate with
stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds and businesses. This ability will certainly be useful
when collecting Fernan Lake resident information (behavior, opinion, history) and add to the
depth and application of this study.







BUDGET

Below is a list of materials and their expected cost:

Equipment (Itemized) Amount
1. (1) K-B Corer $1,499.00
2. (9) Core Tubes $180.00
3. (18) Core Plugs $50.00
4. (108) P-Tubes $120.00
Equipment Total $1,849.00

Materials and Supplies (Itemized) Amount
1. (1) Rite in the Rain: Field notebook $20.00
2. (1) Container of Potassium Persulfate $15.00
3. (1) Roll of Labeling Tape $5.00
4. (1) Sharpie $3.00
5. (1) Container of Ascorbic Acid $50.00
Materials and Supplies Total $93.00

Travel Costs (Itemized) Amount
1. Gasoline $35.00
2.
3.
Travel Costs Total $35.00

Other Expenses (Itemized) Amount
1.
2.
3.
Other Expenses Total

Total Request $1977.00*

*The total value of all expenses is $1977. However, as Dr. Frank Wilhelms student I will have
access to his lab, which contains a K-B corer, Core Tubes, Core Plugs, and P-Tubes. Therefore
the true cost will only be $128.00. This cost will be completely covered by the $500 EPSCoR
research expenses award.



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