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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Nutrient stream attenuation is altered by the duration and frequency of flow intermittency

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Author(s):
Saltarelli, Wesley Aparecido [1] ; Cunha, Davi Gasparini Fernandes [1] ; Freixa, Anna [2, 3] ; Perujo, Nuria [2, 3] ; Lopez-Doval, Julio C. [2, 3] ; Acuna, Vicenc [2, 3] ; Sabater, Sergi [2, 3]
Total Authors: 7
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Escola Engn Sao Carlos, Dept Hidraul & Saneamento, Ave Trabalhador Sao Carlense 400, BR-13566590 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil
[2] Univ Girona, Catalan Inst Water Res ICRA, Sci & Technol Pk, Girona - Spain
[3] Univ Girona, Inst Aquat Ecol, Girona - Spain
Total Affiliations: 3
Document type: Journal article
Source: ECOHYDROLOGY; SEP 2021.
Web of Science Citations: 0
Abstract

River flow intermittency affects physical and biological processes in lotic ecosystems, including nutrient attenuation and therefore water purification. We investigated the effect of river flow intermittency, including its duration and occurrence frequency, on the attenuation of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and soluble reactive phosphorus (P-PO43-). The net balances of each nutrient form were assessed in artificial streams colonized by biofilms and exposed to six treatments resulting from the combination of two flow intermittency durations (28 or 56 days) and three intermittency frequencies (one, two or four interruption episodes). The respective influences on the nutrient balances were assessed one and eight days after flow resumption, with negative or positive balances indicating net consumption or production, respectively. The P-PO43- balances ranged from -50.3 to -15.7 mu g P-PO43- h(-1) m(-2), while for the components of DIN, they varied between -135.6 and -7.3 mu g N-NH4+ h(-1) m(-2) (ammonium), -1.4 and 4.2 mu g N-NO2- h(-1) m(-2) (nitrite) and -39.1 and 18.6 mu g N-NO3- h(-1) m(-2) (nitrate). In general, longer non-flow durations impaired nutrient attenuation. Overall, while each nutrient form showed specific patterns, our experiment indicated that (1) nutrient attenuation usually decreased with longer non-flow durations, (2) attenuation generally recovered after frequent events of water flow resumption and when rewetting was longer and (3) longer desiccation periods seemed to persistently affect the biogeochemical responses regardless the number of times flow returned to the system. Our results highlight that more severe conditions (causing dehydration of the substrates and inhibition of biofilm activity) might strongly affect the biogeochemical functioning of temporary streams, with important management implications under accelerating global changes. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 18/21412-9 - Effects of sewage treated by different technologies on the functioning of the receiving water bodies: nutrient retention, aquatic metabolism and gas emissions
Grantee:Davi Gasparini Fernandes Cunha
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
FAPESP's process: 17/18519-3 - Structural and non-structural measures for the recovery of tropical streams: effects on aquatic metabolism and macronutrient retention
Grantee:Wesley Aparecido Saltarelli
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate