Abstract
Biomanipulation via fish regulation combined with submerged plant introduction is an effective measure to restore eutrophic shallow lakes. Improved water quality and clarity promote growth of benthic algae, which with submerged plants may limit sediment phosphorus (P) release, thereby reinforce lake recovery. Our study sought to evaluate the effect of such a biomanipulation on water quality, benthic algal development and sediment P release in a shallow, tropical lake by (1) comparing porewater and lake water quality, light intensity and benthic algal development in restored and unrestored sections; (2) conducting a 32P radiotracer experiment to track P release from sediment cores sampled from both sections. The biomanipulation led to lower total P, total dissolved P, and soluble reactive P concentrations in lake water, lower phytoplankton biomass, and increased light intensity at sediment surface, stimulating benthic algal development. Moreover, sediment 32P release was lower in the restored than unrestored section. Concurrently, dissolved oxygen levels in upper layers of the sediment cores were higher in the restored section. Our study indicates that the biomanipulation improved water quality and enhanced growth of benthic algae, thereby reducing sediment P release, which may be one of the main mechanisms to create successful restoration.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Hydrobiologia |
| Volume | 794 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages (from-to) | 49-57 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| ISSN | 0018-8158 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2017 |
Keywords
- Biomanipulation
- Eutrophication
- Fish manipulation
- Induced benthic algae
- Restoration
- Shallow lakes
- Submerged plant