『Abstract
Increased levels of phosphorus (P) in freshwater systems generally
cause eutrophication leading to algal blooms, fish kills, and
decreased biodiversity. Point sources have been fairly well characterized;
however, non-point sources (NPS), such as agricultural fields,
require further study to ascertain the origin and physicochemical
forms of P. During a single storm event in June 2008 in a small
Wisconsin agricultural watershed (12.4 km2), a comprehensive
study was performed to characterize sediment and P transport dynamics.
In addition to standard analytical techniques to quantify sediment
and P transport, the atmospheric fallout radionuclides (7Be,
210 Pbxs, and 137Cs)
were employed to determine sediment origin and in-stream transport
parameters. Sediments originated primarily from surficial upland
soils, or cultivated fields, with minor contributions of resuspended
streambed sediments and no discernible stream bank contributions.
Sediments were deposited onto the streambed during this event,
creating a temporary store, which could be resuspended during
subsequent flow events. While for this moderate storm event the
stream channels exhibited a short-term depositional behavior they
appeared erosional in nature over longer time periods. Particulate-bound
P was found to be 33-46% of the total P (TP) transported in the
stream channel. The mean dissolved P and TP concentrations at
the two stream sites ranged from 0.99±0.32 mg L-1 to
1.14±0.63 mg L-1 and 1.77±0.78 mg L-1 to
1.83±0.78 mg L-1, respectively. During baseflow conditions,
the mean dissolved reactive P (DRP) and TP concentrations were
quite high, 027±0.02 mg L-1 and 0.33±0.04 mg L-1,
respectively, exceeding recommended USEPA TP levels (0.08 mg L-1;
USEPA, 2000) for eutrophication threshold. Overall, significant
transport of P in both dissolved and particulate forms occurred
during this moderate stormflow event. We assert that improved
upland conservation practices are necessary to minimize P export
from this agricultural watershed.
Keywords: Particulate and dissolved phosphorus; Atmospheric fallout
radionuclides; Sediment sourcing; Stream sediment transport; Agricultural
headwater watershed』
1. Introduction
2. Methods
2.1. Study area
2.2. Rainfall event
2.3. Flow collection and analysis
2.4. Suspended sediment and soil cores collection and analysis
2.,5. Precipitation collection
3. Results and discussion
3.1. Soil and sediment characteristics
3.2. Short- and long-term sediment fluxes
3.3. 7Be/210 Pbxs
ratio, sediment age, and percent new sediment
3.4. Sediment origin
3.5. Soil and sediment phosphorus
3.6. Phosphorus transport in stream flow
4. Summary
Acknowledgments
Appendix A. Supplementary material
References