Limnological Investigations: Lake Koocanusa, Montana. Part 5. Phosphorus Chemistry of Sediments
Abstract
This study characterizes the sediments from Lake Koocanusa (Libby Dam reservoir), Montana, in terms of their ability to sorb and release P. Sediment samples were collected at 12 stations located between the U.S.-Canadian border and Libby Dam (42 miles downstream of the border) during July 1977. The sediments from Lake Koocanusa are calcareous, low in organic matter (< 2.3%), and have a silty loam or loam texture. Most of the P associated with these sediments was in the inorganic form (> 85%), which was highly correlated (r = 0. 89) with oxalate extractable Fe in the sediment. Sorption tests, with concentrations of either 1000 or 10,000 micrograms P/g sediments, showed that these sediments have limited ability to sorb additional P from concentrated solutions. The maximum amount sorbed at the lower P concentrations was 67% of the added P and was highly correlated with oxalate extractable Fe in the sediments. Desorption studies showed that very small amounts of both the originally bound P (1 to 2%) and the added P (< 6.3%) were released. Conclusion: the sediments in Lake Koocanusa act as a P sink.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA107049
Entities
People
- Iskandar K. Iskandar
- Shivakant Shukla
Organizations
- Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory