The effect of an emergent macrophyte (Typha angustifolia) on sediment resuspension in a shallow north temperate lake

1. The effects of emergent macrophytes on water turbidity and sediment resu spension in the shallow Kirkkojarvi basin of Lake Hiidenvesi were studied w ith sediment traps, and concomitant sediment and water samples. The study w as conducted during May-August in three different zones of a stand of the e mergent Typha angustifolia. 2. Within the stand (5 m from the edge), both the concentration of suspende d solids and the rate of sediment resuspension were significantly lower tha n at the edge and outside the stand (5 m from the edge). The differences be tween the zones increased towards the end of summer together with the growi ng stem density. During the study period (82 days), 2210 g dw m(-2) of sedi ment was resuspended in the outer zone. At the edge and in the inner zone, the corresponding numbers were 1414 and 858 g dw m-(2), respectively. 3. With the resuspended sediment, 39.4 mg P m(-2) day(-1) was brought to th e water column outside the stand, 22.4 mg P m(-2) day(-1) at the edge and 1 3.4 mg P m(-2) day(-1) within the stand. 4. In early summer, the concentration of suspended solids had a highly sign ificant positive effect on soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) concentration in the water, whereas in late summer no effect was found. During the study period, phosphorus retention by emergent macrophyte stands corresponded to 3-5% of the present annual external phosphorus loading of the Kirkkojarvi b asin.