An introduction to the study of phosphorus dynamics in Rondevlei

Phosphorus is one of the most important nutrients in aquatic environments because of the role that it plays in eutrophication. Increased amounts of phosphorus stimulate excessive growth of nuisance plants, which have negative impacts on waterbodies. Urban runoff and sediment fall under various sources of phosphorus. Sediments act as sources as well as phosphorus storage tanks. Processes of adsorption and desorption which occur -at the sediment water interface make phosphorus available for excessive plant growth. Information relating to these processes, and other limnological processes, serves as a guideline to the understanding of the courses and methods of control of eutrophication. In the study of phosphorus dynamics in Rondevlei, a small eutrophic lakelet in southern Africa, five stations were monitored during spring, summer, autumn and winter of 1988. Temperature, oxygen, electrical conductivity and pH were determined in the field. Soluble Reactive Phosphorus (SRP), calcium (Ca), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and Particulate Organic Matter (POM) were measured in the laboratory.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Biological Sciences

Year dc:date.issued

1991

Author dc:creator

• Semmelink, Matseliso Maria

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Day, John A

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/8397

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/8397