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Updated: May 7, 2026

Laboratory-determined Phosphorus Flux from Lake Sediments as a Measure of Internal Phosphorus Loading
Published on: March 6, 2014
Human influences on nitrogen removal in lakes
Jacques C Finlay1, Gaston E Small, Robert W Sterner
1Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA. jfinlay@umn.edu
Human activities boost nitrogen in ecosystems. Phosphorus availability, a key nutrient, impacts nitrogen removal in lakes, with management changes having unintended consequences.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Ecology
- Limnology
Background:
- Human activities elevate reactive nitrogen, negatively impacting ecosystems, health, and water quality.
- Freshwater systems are significant sinks for reactive nitrogen, but factors influencing nitrogen removal efficiency remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between nutrient availability and nitrogen removal rates in freshwater lakes.
- To understand how phosphorus influences nitrogen cycling and removal efficacy in lake ecosystems.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of a global lake dataset.
- Statistical modeling to assess the impact of phosphorus on nitrogen removal rates and efficiency.
Main Results:
- Phosphorus availability significantly affects both the annual nitrogen removal rate and efficiency in lakes.
- Increased phosphorus inputs have stimulated nitrogen removal processes in many lakes globally.
- Reductions in phosphorus availability can lead to nitrogen accumulation and export from lakes.
Conclusions:
- Phosphorus is a critical factor controlling nitrogen removal in freshwater lakes.
- Single-nutrient management (e.g., reducing phosphorus) can have unintended consequences for nitrogen cycling.
- Integrated management strategies controlling both nitrogen and phosphorus sources are essential for effective ecosystem management.
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