Spatial variation of P and N in water and sediments of Dianchi Lake, China

Dianchi Lake is one of the most eutrophic lakes in China. In order to understand this eutrophication and to help control the pollution, this research investigated the spatial distribution of Kjeldahl nitrogen (K-N) and total phosphorus (TP) through analysis of bottom water and sediment (3 depths) samples collected at 118 sites around Dianchi Lake. The concentrations of K-N and TP for the lake bottom water in the Caohai part of the lake were much higher than those in the Waihai part, generally decreasing from north to south. In the sediments, the K-N concentration was higher in the Caohai part and the middle of the Waihai part. On the other hand, TP in the sediments was greater in the southern and western parts. Both K-N and TP had similar spatial distributions for the sediment samples of three different depths. Vertically, the K-N and TP concentration in the sediments decreased with an increase in depth. This was evidence that eutrophication and pollution of Dianchi Lake was becoming gradually more severe. Exterior factors including uncontrolled input of domestic and industrial effluents as well as non-point pollution around the lake were the main reasons for serious eutrophication; therefore, controlling these was the first step in reducing eutrophication of Dianchi Lake.