Nutrient Cycle and Controlling

management of Aquatic Eutrophiction

system

Department of Environmental Management

Kalyani University, Kalyani, Nadia

Nutrient Cycling
Few mechanistic nutrient-cycling and food
web studies have been conducted on
shallow eutrophic water bodies
Information is needed about sources, forms,
cycling rates, and fate of nutrients in lakes
water bodies

Nutrient Cycling
Few mechanistic nutrient-cycling and food
web studies have been conducted on
shallow eutrophic lakes
Information is needed about sources, forms,
cycling rates, and fate of nutrients in lakes
I.e. How are nutrients made available to
primary and secondary producers?

Why study nitrogen cycling?

N often limits primary production, especially
in marine systems
Excessive N inputs can lead to
eutrophication
N compound concentrations and ratios can
determine plant community structure
N-cycling reflects community ecosystem
dynamics
All organisms take up and/or release N

Factors controlling primary and

secondary production:
1. Meteorological conditions (e.g. temp.,
winds, and available-light)
2. Nutrient inputs, concentrations, and
cycling rates

Factors controlling primary and

secondary production:
1. Meteorological conditions (e.g. temp.,
winds, and available-light)
2. Nutrient inputs, concentrations, and
cycling rates

Factors controlling primary and

secondary production:
1. Meteorological conditions (e.g. temp.,
winds, and available-light)
2. Nutrient inputs, concentrations, and
cycling rates
3. Food web interactions

Factors controlling primary and

secondary production:
1. Meteorological conditions (e.g. temp.,
winds and available-light)
2. Nutrient inputs, concentrations, and
cycling rates
3. Food web interactions
4. Sediment characteristics

Factors controlling primary and

secondary production:
1. Meteorological conditions (e.g. temp.,
winds and available-light)
2. Nutrient inputs, concentrations, and
cycling rates
3. Food web interactions
4. Sediment characteristics
5. Morphology of water bodies

The nitrogen cycle

Nitrogen constitutes 78% of our atmosphere
It is contained in amino acids, proteins, DNA and RNA
Nitrogen cycle = describes the routes that nitrogen atoms
take through the environment
Nitrogen gas(N2) cannot be used by organisms
Nitrogen fixation = Biological N2 fixers present in soil, that
can fix nitrogen from unaccessible N2 to available ammonium
the, principal links between atmosphere and other organisms
in terms of nitrogen usage. Main nitrogen fixers are free
living microorganisms like Azotobacter (aerobic) and
Clostridium (anaerobic); symbiotic bacteria found in nodules
of leguminous plants like Rhizobium, photosynthetic bacteria
Rhodossporillum, blue green algae like Anabaena

Nitrification and Denitrification

Nitrification = bacteria convert ammonium ions first into
nitrite ions(Nitrosomonas, Nitrococcus etc.) then into
nitrate(Nitrobacter, Nitrocystis etc.) ions
Plants can take up these ions
Animals obtain nitrogen by eating plants or other animals
Decomposers get it from dead and decaying plants or other
animals
Releasing ammonium ions to nitrifying bacteria
Denitrifying bacteria = convert nitrates in soil or water to
gaseous nitrogen(Like Pseudomonas denitrificans, Thiobacillus
denitrificans etc.)
Releasing it back into the atmosphere

Ammonification
The nitrogen in most plants and animals exists in the form of
protein and in soil exists in the form of organic molecules,
When an organism dies, its proteins are attacked by the
proteases of soil bacteria to produce polypeptides (peptones)
and amino acids (C2H4NO2R). This process is called
peptonization.
Then, the amino groups on the amino acids are removed by a
process called deamination, producing ammonia (NH3).
In most soils, the ammonia dissolves in water to form
ammonium ions (NH4+).
The process of the production of ammonia from organic
compounds is called ammonification (Like- Bacillus,
Clostridium, Proteus, Pseudomonas, and Streptomyces etc.)

The nitrogen cycle

Water column processes

Phytoplankton
Micrograzers
Organic
Matter
Heterotrophic
bacteria
NO3-

Nitrifying
bacteria

NH4+
Higher
trophic
levels

Nutrient dynamics at
sediment-water
interface

N-dynamics (chemical perspective)

Assimilation

PON

NO3NO2-

Excretion
NH4+
Sinking

Fixation

N2
N2O

DON

Water column
Sediment

NO3NO2NH4+

N2

DON
PON

DNRA

NO3-

N 2O
DENITRIFICATION

Transformations within the nitrogen cycle in shallow aquatic systems

(PON-Particulate Organic Nitrogen; DON- Dissolve Organic Nitrogen; DNRA- Dissimilatory
Nitrate Reduction to Ammonia)

N Transformations to
remember
N-fixation: N2 Organic N (N source)
Mineralization: Organic N NH4+
Nitrification: NH4+ NO2- NO3Denitrification: NO3- + OM N2 (N-sink)
DNRA: NO3- + OM NH4+ (N-link)

What is the fate of NO3- at

sediment-water interface?
1. Denitrification (sink)?
NO3- N2

2. Dissimilatory nitrate reduction

to ammonium (DNRA; link)?
NO3- NH4+

Humans affect the nitrogen cycle

Haber-Bosch process = production of fertilizers by
combining nitrogen and hydrogen to synthesize ammonia
Humans overcame the limits on crop productivity
Fixing atmospheric nitrogen with fertilizers
Increases emissions of greenhouse gases and smog
Washes calcium and potassium out of soil
Acidifies water and soils
Moves nitrogen into terrestrial systems and oceans
Reduces diversity of plants adapted to low-nitrogen
soils
Changed estuaries and coastal ecosystems and fisheries

Humans put nitrogen into the

environment

Fully half of nitrogen entering the environment is of human origin

The phosphorus cycle

Phosphorus (P) is a key component of cell membranes,
genetic informer DNA, RNA, ATP and ADP

Phosphorus cycle = describes the routes that phosphorus

atoms take through the environment
Most phosphorus is found in soils, rock minerals, living
organisms and water
It is released by weathering
Pure phosphorus is highly reactive and rapid combines
with oxygen when expose to air.
With naturally low environmental concentrations exists as
Phosphorus, simplest is orthophosphate (PO 4)
Phosphorus is a limiting factor for plant growth

The phosphorus cycle

Orthophosphate is the major form of biologically
available phosphorus found in water:
- It is usually referred to as Dissolved Inorganic PO4 (DIP), loosely
bound (absorbed) to the surface of sediment particle
- It is also founds as Dissolved Organic Phosphate (DOP) and
insoluble (particulate) forms. The sum of all forms of Phosphorus in
water is known as Total Phosphate (TP).
- In an estuary water ways, the majority of phosphorus is usually in
particulate form as mineralization. However, most of the sediment
phosphorus pool remains unavailable most of the time. This
component includes inorganic phosphate compounds that are highly
insoluble and organic phosphate compounds that are resistant to
mineralization or bind to the surface of solid particles known as
desorption .

The phosphorus cycle

Limiting nutrients(P&N) in aquatic systems

Two major nutrients, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), occur in streams in various
forms as ions or dissolved in solution. Aquatic plants convert dissolved inorganic
forms of nitrogen (nitrate, nitrite, and ammonium) and phosphorus (orthophosphate)
into organic or particulate forms for use in higher trophic production. The right
balance of nitrogen and phosphorus is essential for maintaining natural biological
communities and ecosystem functions in aquatic systems. In freshwater systems,
phosphorus and nitrogen are limiting nutrients, that is, the levels of these nutrients
limit the biological productivity of such systems.
Phosphates and nitrates occur in small amounts in all aquatic environments and are
required to maintain the growth and metabolism of plants and animals. However, in
excess amounts, these minerals can prove to be quite harmful.
Levels of phosphates and nitrates that are intolerable to local organisms have been
known to deplete dissolved oxygen levels by causing algae blooms.
Eutrophication, bringing with it high amounts of phosphates and nitrates, is a main
cause in the destruction of lake ecosystems around the world.
Excess nutrients causes a burst of growth in plants and phytoplankton, forming a
layer of green slime across the surface of bodies of water and this layer inhibits light
movement into the water and also lessens the amount of oxygen that can get into the
water from the air.

Water Quality

Oligotrophic

Mesotrophic

Eutrophic

Hypereutrophic

Total P(g/L)

<10

10-20

>20

>50

Total N(g/L)

<50

50-100

>320

>1000

Secchi disc transparency

depth (m)
Oxygen mg/L

>4

2-4

<2

<1

>5

<5

<1

Different algae have been reported to require different N and P concentrations for
growth.
- During study found that diatoms require less P (0.3-0.6 g/L P, Bothwell 1988) to saturate
growth than filamentous green algae (25-50 g/L P, Bothwell 1989).
- Nitrogen limitation has been reported when ambient N concentration was 55 g/L in a desert
stream in Arizona (Grimm and Fish 1986) and when it was less than 100 g/L in an Ozark
stream (Lohman et al. 1991).
Rier and Stevenson (2006) found that algal growth was 90% of maximum rates or higher in
nutrient concentrations of 16 g/L P and 86 g/L N. The Redfield ratio (molar ratio of 16:1
for N:P) has been proposed as a community-wide optimum nutrient ratio (Redfield 1958,
Borchardt 1996). High ambient or cellular N:P ratios (N:P >20:1)
P is limiting growth indicators; low N:P ratios suggest that N is limiting (N:P<10:1).
However, levels of nutrient concentrations and ratios for nutrient limitation are also regulated
by other abiotic and biotic factors.

Control and Management of Eutrophication

Major advances in the scientific understanding and management of eutrophication have
been made under control of point sources of phosphorus and nitrogen reduced algal blooms
in many aquatic water bodies.
Diffuse nutrient sources from land use changes and urbanization in the catchments of
lakes have proved possible to control but require many years of restoration efforts. The
importance of water residence time to eutrophication has been recognized.
Changes in aquatic communities contribute to eutrophication via the trophic cascade,
nutrient transport from benthic to pelagic regions.
Overexploitation of piscivorous fishes appears to be a particularly common amplifier of
eutrophication. Internal nutrient loading can be controlled by reducing external loading,
although the full response of lakes may take decades.
Decreased silica supplies from windling inflows may increasingly favour the replacement
of diatoms by nitrogen-fixing Cyanobacteria. Increases in transport of nitrogen by rivers to
estuaries and coastal oceans have followed increased use of nitrogen in agriculture and
increasing emissions to the atmosphere.
Our understanding of eutrophication and its management has evolved from simple control
of nutrient sources to recognition that it is often a cumulative effects problem that will
require protection and restoration of many features of a lakes community and its catchment.

Mixing and oxygenation:

. aeration to oxidize the hypolimnion and consequently seal the bottom to prevent release
of phosphorus, iron and manganese.

Methods of treating sediments:

Sediments accumulate phosphorus over long periods of time and the resulting
concentrations of phosphorus in the upper few millimeters of the sediment can be much
greater than the phosphorus content in the entire water column. The dissolved fraction of
this large phosphorus store is constantly exchanged with the adjacent water. Because of the
large phosphorus storage in the sediments, eutrophic conditions may continue for several
years after phosphorus supply to the reservoir is considerably reduced. Various procedures
are used to decrease the release of phosphorus from the sediments.

Biomanipulation:
The principle of the method is food chain manipulation by maintaining low feeding
pressure on zooplankton by fish, so that large species of zooplankton predominate, that are
capable to keep phytoplankton under control. This is accomplished when the number of
zooplankton feeding fish is low. Development of fish populations that lead to control of
zooplankton and phytoplankton
Example: Continuous introduction of predatory fish and net-harvesting of non-predatory
fish collaboration with local sport fishery and use of commercial fishery methods is needed.
Algicide use: The addition of algicide such as simazine or copper sulphate has long been
used as an emergency measure to control excessive algal growths. The dosage of CuSO4
application varies between 6 kg and 20 kg ha-1, depending on the depth of the algal layer.

Ecoremediations (ERM):
Ecoremediation is a system of utilizing the natural processes for revival,
restoration and protection of the natural environment. ERM methods may reduce
and avert the consequences of agricultural pollution, tourism, transport, industry,
landfills and (over)population. ERM represents the returning to nature approach
aiming to preserve or re-establish the natural balance of the ecosystems, but also a
human endeavour that enables new jobs and by-side activities important for
economic and social (sustainable) development of the human society.

In practice ERM are used as:

Plant purification systems,
Natural dumping sites sanitation systems,
Near shoreline plant buffer belts-alleviation areas,
Side river water courses,
Artificial swamps,
Protective barriers against noise and dust,
Phyto-remediation of polluted sediments,

Conclusion
In short, our ability to predict the occurrence and composition of harmful algal
blooms has lagged well behind our ability to control total algal biomass, and we
urgently need advances in our ability to predict and to prevent the growth of
undesirable algae and other nuisance-forming organisms.
Moreover, we require a much better understanding of the significant but as yet
poorly understood interactions that occur between nutrient enrichment and key
physical, chemical and biological characteristics of receiving waters.
To achieve this target, many of us consider the returning to nature and respecting
the ancient laws of nature as the ultimate solution. Management techniques used for
improving the water quality in reservoirs include: artificial mixing and oxygenation,
sediment removal, sediment aeration, sediment covering, phosphorus inactivation,
biomanipulation (fish management), hydraulic regulation, algicides, light reduction,
macrophyte control and ecoremediation.
ERM methods may reduce and avert the consequences of agricultural pollution,
tourism, transport, industry, landfills and (over)population. In its essence, ERM
represents the returning to nature approach aiming to preserve or re-establish the
natural balance of the ecosystems.
We conclude that, carefully implemented restrictions of anthropogenic nutrient
inputs will be an essential feature of eutrophication management efforts in estuarine
and coastal marine ecosystems.