Document Type
Thesis
Abstract
Differences in average particulate phosphorus concentration in sediments of the five perennial streams feeding Lake Matoaka were not statistically significant and therefore, land use, i.e., development, on the eastern edge of the lake probably has not changed the P content of sediments. In experiments modifying the P content, pH and Eh of overlying water, I tested the sorption behavior of phosphorus. With increasing P concentration in water, more P was sorbed, yielding a linear sorption isotherm. Changes in pH led to small release of P from sediment. In contrast, P release was 20x greater when sediments were exposed to strongly reducing conditions typical of lake bottoms. These results demonstrate that when sediments are discharged from streams into Lake Matoaka, the sediments under anoxic conditions can release significant amounts of P to fuel eutrophication via benthic algal production.
Date Awarded
2004
Department
Geology
Advisor 1
Randolph M. Chambers
Recommended Citation
Hunt, Karla, "Fates of Particulate Phosphorus in Freshwater Streams Discharging to Lake Matoaka" (2004). Geology Senior Theses. William & Mary. Paper 134.
https://scholarworks.wm.edu/geologyseniors/134
