Nutrient Retention Efficiency in Streams Receiving Inputs from Wastewater Treatment Plants

Martı́, Eugènia; Aumatell, Jordi; Godé, Lluís Xavier; Poch, Manel; Sabater, Francesc

doi:10.2134/jeq2004.0285

Cited by 87 publications

(138 citation statements)

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“…Net nutrient uptake was calculated by measuring ambient longitudinal declines in nutrient concentrations (e.g., Marti et al 2004) for DIN and PO 4 -P. Uptake length (S w ) was calculated as the inverse slope of the regression line of logtransformed nutrient concentrations against distance. In order to standardize uptake to reach characteristics, we converted uptake length to uptake velocity (V f ) using the equation V f = uz/S w , where u is velocity and z is depth (Webster and Valett 2006).…”

Section: Net Nutrient Uptakementioning

confidence: 99%

Low‐level addition of dissolved organic carbon increases basal ecosystem function in a boreal headwater stream

et al. 2017

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Low-level addition of dissolved organic carbon increases basal ecosystem function in a boreal headwater stream.Ecosphere 8(4):e01739. 10. 1002/ecs2.1739 Abstract. Comprehension of basic stream ecosystem function relies on an understanding of aquaticterrestrial linkages. One major component of such linkages is the incorporation of landscape-derived energy and nutrients into the aquatic food web via microbes. In many boreal streams, wetlands and alder are known to be primary sources of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), respectively. To simulate the influence of the highly labile portion of wetland-derived DOC subsidies on microbial production and ecosystem processes in a stream with high landscape-derived nutrient inputs, we enriched a boreal headwater stream situated in a high-alder, low-wetland cover catchment (i.e., high DIN, low DOC) with low levels (~0.25 mg/L) of labile DOC (as acetate-C) for 9 weeks. We compared nutrient uptake, bacterial biomass production, and photosynthesis of periphyton and ecosystem metabolism in physicochemically similar upstream (reference) and downstream (treatment) reaches. DIN uptake was greater in the treatment than in reference reach on six out of nine dates during the dosing period. Bacterial biomass production positively responded to C enrichment. Ecosystem respiration increased up tõ 50% after dosing began. Gross primary production responded positively to DOC enrichment early in the study when riparian vegetation did not limit light availability, but negatively later on in the growing season. We conclude that even low levels of labile DOC may act as a strong subsidy to headwater stream ecosystems, particularly those with high levels of DIN inputs from alder. Headwater streams influenced by high contributions of both alder and wetlands may represent biogeochemical hotspots, and these landscape features should be viewed as vital and complementary in their roles for ecosystem function.

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Section: Net Nutrient Uptakementioning

confidence: 99%

Low‐level addition of dissolved organic carbon increases basal ecosystem function in a boreal headwater stream

et al. 2017

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“…Although reach length is much longer than that used in typical nutrient uptake studies, the river is also much larger than previous studies (e.g., Hall et al, 2002). Streams receiving WWTP effluent typically have long net uptake lengths (Haggard et al, 2001, Haggard et al, 2005Marti et al, 2004). Therefore, we considered it necessary to use long reaches.…”

Section: Sand Pumpmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nutrient uptake length is a measure of the stream's capacity to retain and transform nutrients and is defined as the average distance a nutrient atom travels before it is immobilized by either biotic or abiotic processes (Newbold et al, 1981;Stream Solute Workshop, 1990). Previous studies have used nutrient uptake lengths to assess nutrient retention in relatively undisturbed systems (e.g., Marti and Sabater, 1996;Webster et al, 2003) and in streams receiving WWTP effluent (Haggard et al, 2001, Marti et al, 2004, Haggard et al, 2005 and to measure the response of streams other management practices such as forestry (e.g., Webster et al, 1991, Sabater et al, 2000. We determined uptake lengths by using the natural decline in nutrient concentration with distance downstream using the following equation:…”

Section: Nutrient Uptakementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Due to these constraints, it is more appropriate to use nutrient uptake length when examining potential environmental influences on nutrient uptake. However, uptake velocity is the most appropriate parameter to use for comparison of the Chattahoochee River with other systems because of the vast differences in discharge between the Chattahoochee and most other study systems (e.g., Hall et al, 2002;Hall and Tank, 2003;Marti et al, 2004;Haggard et al, 2005). Therefore, we compared SRP, NH 4 + , and NO 3 ) uptake velocity in the Chattahoochee River with reported uptake velocities from less modified streams and smaller third order streams receiving WWTP effluent (see Figure 4 for citations) using non-parametric one-way ANOVA and a Tukey-type comparison of means (Zar, 1999).…”

Section: Nutrient Uptakementioning

confidence: 99%

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Nutrient Uptake in a Large Urban River¹

Gibson

Meyer²

2007

J American Water Resour Assoc

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Small streams have been shown to be efficient in retaining nutrients and regulating downstream nutrient fluxes, but less is known about nutrient retention in larger rivers. We quantified nutrient uptake length and uptake velocity in a regulated urban river to determine the river’s ability to retain nutrients associated with wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent. We measured net uptake of soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), dissolved organic phosphorus, ammonium (NH4), nitrate, and dissolved organic nitrogen in the Chattahoochee River, Atlanta, GA by following the downstream decline of nutrients and fluoride from WWTP effluent on 10 dates under low flow conditions. Uptake of all nutrients was sporadic. On many dates, there was no evidence of measurable nutrient uptake lengths within the reach; indeed, on several dates release of inorganic N and P within the sample reach led to increased nutrient export downstream. When uptake occurred, SRP uptake length was negatively correlated with total suspended solids and temperature. Uptake velocities of SRP and NH4 in the Chattahoochee River were lower than velocities in less‐modified systems, but they were similar to those measured in other WWTP impacted systems. Lower uptake velocities indicate a diminished capacity for nutrient uptake.

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“…Past research shows that some activities reduce retention efficiency (i.e. retention relative to nutrient flux), such as channel modification (Sweeney et al, 2004;Bukaveckas, 2007), nutrient loading (Martí et al, 2004;Bernot et al, 2006;Newbold et al, 2006) and other forms of water pollution that inhibit biological communities responsible for nutrient uptake Lottig et al, 2007). Conversely, retention efficiency may increase with other human activities, such as riparian vegetation removal, through increases in light for primary producers (Sabater et al, 2000).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of land use on stream ecosystem function in a Mediterranean catchment

et al. 2008

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1. Due to the hierarchical organization of stream networks, land use changes occurring at larger spatial scales (i.e. the catchment) can affect physical, chemical and biological characteristics at lower spatial scales, ultimately altering stream structure and function. Anthropogenic effects on streams have primarily been documented using structural metrics such as water chemistry, channel alteration and algal biomass. Functional parameters, including metrics of nutrient retention and metabolism, are now being widely used as indicators of stream condition. 2. Within this hierarchical context, we used a multivariate approach to examine how structural and functional (i.e. nutrient retention and metabolism) attributes of streams are related to catchment variables, including land use. The study was done in 13 streams located within a single Mediterranean catchment, but draining sub-catchments with contrasting land use. 3. At the catchment scale, results showed two contrasting land use gradients: (i) from forested-to urban-dominated catchments and (ii) from low to moderate agriculturaldominated catchments. Variation in structural and functional parameters was strongly related to these land use gradients. Specifically, NH 4 + demand (measured as the uptake velocity, V f ) decreased along the gradient from forested-to urban-dominated catchments primarily in response to increases in stream nutrient concentrations [NH 4 + , dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) and carbon (DOC)]. Both primary production and respiration increased along the gradient of agricultural development in response to increases in algal biomass (chlorophyll a). Soluble reactive phosphorus demand was not related to any of the land use gradients. 4. Our results illustrate the connections among factors operating at different spatial scales (i.e. from catchments to streams) and their distinct influence on stream ecosystem function. Managers should take into consideration these connections when designing stream management and restoration plans. Because ecologically successful stream management and restoration is expected to restore function as well as structure to streams, the use of appropriate measures of functional processes is required. Nutrient retention and metabolism parameters are good candidates to fill this gap.

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Nutrient Retention Efficiency in Streams Receiving Inputs from Wastewater Treatment Plants

Cited by 87 publications

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Low‐level addition of dissolved organic carbon increases basal ecosystem function in a boreal headwater stream

Low‐level addition of dissolved organic carbon increases basal ecosystem function in a boreal headwater stream

Nutrient Uptake in a Large Urban River¹

Influence of land use on stream ecosystem function in a Mediterranean catchment

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Nutrient Retention Efficiency in Streams Receiving Inputs from Wastewater Treatment Plants

Cited by 87 publications

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Low‐level addition of dissolved organic carbon increases basal ecosystem function in a boreal headwater stream

Low‐level addition of dissolved organic carbon increases basal ecosystem function in a boreal headwater stream

Nutrient Uptake in a Large Urban River1

Influence of land use on stream ecosystem function in a Mediterranean catchment

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Nutrient Uptake in a Large Urban River¹