EPA 660/3-74-015
August 1974
Ectkfical Research Strits
•ediments and Sediment-Water
Nutrient Interchange In Upper
Klamath Lake, Oregon
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National Environmental Research Center
Office of Research and Development
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Corvallis. Oregon 97330
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EPA-660/3-74-015
August
SEDIMENTS AND SEDIMENT-WATER NUTRIENT
INTERCHANGE IN UPPER KLAMATH LAKE, OREGON
By
William D. Sanville
Charles F. Powers
Arnold R. Gahler
Pacific Northwest Environmental Research Laboratory
National Environmental Research Center
Corvallis, Oregon
Program Element 1BA031
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH CENTER
OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
CORVALLIS, OREGON 97330
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PREFACE
Upper Klamath Lake, a very large and seemingly naturally eutrophic
Oregon lake, has been the subject of a number of studies by
various researchers -over the years. Work on that lake was
carried on intermittently by this laboratory from 1965 to 1970.
This'report summarizes results of studies begun in 1967 which
were oriented principally toward sediment-water nutrient interchange.
The cooperation of W. E. Miller, Pacific Northwest Environmental
Research Laboratory, in assisting in measurement of sediment thickness,
and in permitting use of his unpublished data, and of Julie A. Searcy,
also of PNERL, in .the analysis of samples is gratefully acknowledged.
We also wish to thank R. E. Wildung and R. L. Schmidt, of Battelle-
Northwest Laboratories, for continued cooperation and helpful
suggestions.
ii
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CONTENTS
Page
Preface 11
List of Figures 1v
List of Tables v
Sections
I Introduction 1
II Summary 2
III Conclusions 3
IV Recommendations 5
V Description of Lake System and Watershed 6
VI Methods 8
VII Characterization of Sediments 9
VIII Interrelationships of Sediment Chemistry and
Limnological Conditions 14
IX Discussion 18
X References 22
XI Appendix and Tables 24
111
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FIGURES
No. Page
1. Upper Klamath Lake and Station Locations 41
2. Thickness of Recent Sediments 42
3. Chemistry of Lake Water and Interstitial Water, 43
1968-69, Howard Bay
4. Chemistry of Lake Water and Interstitial Water, 44
1968-69, the Outlet
5. Chemistry of Lake Water and Interstitial Water, 45
1968-69, Buck Island
1v
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TABLES
No. Page
1. Age of Sediments as Determined by Carbon-14 Dating 26
2. Physical Properties of Upper Klamath Lake Sediments 27
3. Interstitial Water Chemistry, Sediment Cores 28
4. Lake Water Chemistry 33
5. Interstitial Water Chemistry, Surficial Sediment 38
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SECTION I
INTRODUCTION
In 1965 studies were initiated by the Pacific Northwest Water Laboratory,
U. S. Public Health Service (now Pacific Northwest Environmental .
Research Laboratory, EPA), to investigate the causes for regularly
occurring nuisance algal blooms in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, and
to gather information relative to their possible control. From
March 1965 to April 1966 studies were directed principally toward
the hydrologic and nutrient budgets of the lake. Additionally,
laboratory and in situ algal assay experiments were carried out in
an effort to identify algal growth-limiting nutrients. This work
has been reported by Miller and Tash . Since 1967 work by this laboratory
on Upper Klamath Lake has been carried out principally by the present
authors together with agency-sponsored extramural research at Oregon
p
State University by Morita and at Battelle-Northwest by Wildung
0 K
and Schmidt. Preliminary results have been reported by Gahler.
Emphasis during this phase has been on problems involving sediment-
water nutrient interchange, rather than on overall eutrophication
problems.
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SECTION II
SUMMARY
Upper Klamath Lake, a very large, shallow lake in south-central Oregon,
has a history of nufsance blue-green algae blooms, predominantly
Aphanizomenon f1os-aq uae. Lake water and sediment interstitial water
chemistry were monitored during 1968 and.1969, and for a short time
in 1970. Nutrient concentrations in interstitital water of sediment
exposed to direct agricultural drainage were several orders of magnitude
greater than in cases where sediments were not so located. Nutrient
concentrations showed considerable seasonal variation in both interstitial
and lake waters. Variations in lake and interstitital waters frequently,
but not always, exhibited inverse relationships. The larger fluctuations
appeared to correlate with density of A_. flos-aquae.
Although strong evidence of biological uptake of sedimentary nutrients
was found, dredging of the lake would probably not be effective as
a restorative measure because of the high nutrient concentrations
present at depth in the sediment.
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SECTION III
CONCLUSIONS
1. Unconsolidated sediments occur in Tipper Klamath Lake to a depth
of 32.6 m (107 ft) below the lake bottom. Radiocarbon dating indicates
that sedimentation rates have increased greatly in recent time. This
could be the result of changes in the watershed and in the trophic status
of the lake.
2. Concentrations of nutrients in the sediment interstitial water
from Howard Bay were up to several orders of magnitude greater than at
other sampling sites in the lake. Proximity to agricultural drainage
may account for the high levels in Howard Bay. Ammonia and total
Kjeldahl nitrogen concentrations tended to increase with sediment
depth at all sampling locations. This was also frequently the case
with ortho- and total phosphorus, but not consistently so.
3. In Howard Bay, comparison of lake water chemistry with chemistry
of interstitial water from surficial sediments showed a definite tendency
for inverse relationships in concentrations of total Kjeldahl nitrogen,
phosphorus, and soluble organic carbon in the two media. Further,
lowered P, N, and C in the interstitial water usually coincided with
heavy Apham'zomenon flos-aquae growths in the adjacent lake water.
Such relationships in other parts of the lake were not clearly
defined.
4. Restoration of Upper Klamath Lake to a less eutrophic condition
would be difficult to achieve by dredging. Although the evidence
in support of biological utilization of sedimentary nutrients appears
to argue in favor of dredging, at least in some areas, deeper sediments
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which would thereby be exposed contain nutrient concentrations at
least as high as those in the surficial sediments. Further, the
very large size of the lake system makes such an operation economically
and logistically impractical, and dredging would do nothing to limit
the large nutrient input from outside sources.
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SECTION IV
RECOMMENDATIONS
There is at the present time no obvious practical means for eliminating
the regularly-occurring nuisance blue-green algae blooms in the Upper
Klamath Lake system. Nutrients enter the lake primarily from a variety
of non-point sources, particularly from springs and agricultural
drainage. The present studies, and those of Miller and Tash,
have shown that nutrient concentrations in the bottom sediments are
very large. Therefore, a program of restoration for the lake would
have to include both control of nutrient flux from the watershed
and exchange of nutrients between sediments and lake water. Neither
of these appears possible at present. Dredging of sediment
would be of dubious value because nutrient concentrations generally
increase with distance into the sediment. Conversely, however,
the deepening of the lake as a result of dredging would likely be
of benefit, since the ratio of sediment area to lake volume would
thereby be decreased. Because of the very large size of the lake,
however, a dredging program would be difficult to justify unless
it was also intended to serve other purposes, such as obtaining
a larger holding capacity to increase hydroelectric generating
potential.
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SECTION V
DESCRIPTION OF LAKE SYSTEM AND WATERSHED
Upper Klamath Lake is a-natural body located in the structural valley,
the Klamath Graben, in southern Oregon east of the Cascade Mountains
(Figure 1). Its area (combined with that of the smaller Agency Lake,
considered an integral part of the system) is about 31,000 ha (120 sq. mi),
one of the largest water areas in the western United States. Water
level is regulated by a dam constructed in 1917, which maintains
the surface elevation between 1261 and 1264 m, with a mean lake depth
of 2.44 m. The watershed is about 985,000 ha (3800 square miles),
much of which is located in mountainous volcanic areas or rolling
regions covered with volcanic pumice deposits derived from formation
of the Crater Lake caldera. Principal inflows to the lake are the
Williamson and Wood Rivers. Upper Klamath Lake discharges into the
Klamath River which eventually enters the Pacific Ocean in northern
California.
The lakes are used extensively by waterfowl during the fall and spring
migrations in the Pacific Flyway. Rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri)
are common in the lake in early spring but later migrate into the
tributaries and spring areas. Two, genera of Cyprinidae, blue chub
(Gila bicolor) and tui chub (Siphateles bicolor), constitute 90 percent
of the total fish population.
The elevation of the watershed varies generally from approximately
1281 m to 2440 m with some of the higher peaks reaching elevations
greater than 2745 m. The Cascade Mountain Range borders the watershed
to the west and creates a rain shadow over much of the area. Precipitation
varies with location in the watershed; the sheltered, lower elevations
receive 25-76 cm annually and the higher regions up to 152 cm. Most
precipitation occurs between October and March.
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Vegetation varies with the mountainous regions having forests of
douglas fir, ponderosa pine, lodgepole pine and true firs, and the
open flatlands associated with large pumice deposits occupied by
grass-shrub communities. Marshes are extensive in parts of the
watershed. The Sycan and Klamath marshes cover the basins of former
Pleistocene Lakes and extensive marsh areas surround much of the
present Upper Klamath and Agency Lakes. Since World War I large
sections of marsh have been reclaimed for agricultural use. The
flora associated with the marsh area is a typical sedge-reed community.
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SECTION VI
METHODS
Three primary sampling sites for lake water and sediment were utilized
in the present study (Figure 1). They were located (a) near the
inner (southern) end of Howard Bay, (b) just south of Buck Island,
and (c) near the lake outlet. In the text they are referred to as
Howard Bay, Buck Island, and the Outlet, respectively. Seven other
stations were visited solely to obtain sediment cores, and are designated
stations D through J.
Water samples were obtained with a Van Dorn type PVC sampler from the
surface and near bottom, and surficial sediment samples, unless otherwise
noted, with an Eckman grab. Cores were taken with a modified corer
described by Livingstone wh
barrel to reduce compaction.
described by Livingstone which utilizes filament tape in the core
Interstitial water was separated from sediment following the method
8
of Gahler. Samples were centrifuged at 13,000 rpm in 250 ml polycarbonate
bottles in a refrigerated (4°C) centrifuge, and the supernatant Interstitial
water filtered through a 0.45 jj membrane filter.
Laboratory and field analytical procedures were the same as described
4
by Gahler', and are listed in the appendix.
8
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SECTION VII
CHARACTERIZATION OF SEDIMENTS
THICKNESS OF RECENT SEDIMENTS
A survey to determine the thickness of the very soft, fine-grained
recent sediments in Agency and Upper Klamath Lakes was carried out
in June 1968, utilizing a 8.5 KHz, 1500 watt high energy recording
sonar and a TOO cycle, 16 joule Pulser system. The first horizon
having significant continuity occurs at depths of 14.6 to 32.6 m
below the lake surface and is believed to represent the approximate
base of recent, unconsolidated lake deposits. The depth of this
horizon is shown on the map in Figure 2. Several shallower
reflecting horizons (not shown) are discontinuous and are believed
to represent geologic structure within the recent lacustrine
deposits. During this study the lake depth ranged between 2.1 and
2.4 m with occasional localized holes to 11.3 m.
SEDIMENTATION RATES
Cores were taken at site G in mid-lake, at Buck Island, and at the Outlet
for radiocarbon dating. Sections were removed at points ± 5 cm
on both sides of the 15, 30, 60, and 90-cm depths of the core for
dating by the Radioisotopes and Radiations Laboratory, Washington
State University. Results are summarized in Table 1.
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Successful dating of all the core segments was not accomplished.
However, with the exception of the 60 cm depth at the mid-lake location,
the age of the sediments in each core increased with depth. There
is no ready explanation for the apparent age anomaly at the mid-
lake location, unless some sort of translocation of sediments occurred
in the geologic past. The oldest indicated sediment was at 90 cm
in the Buck Island core [4110 ± 210 years BP (before present)],
although its age differed but little from that at the same depth
in the Outlet core. Sediment at 90 cm at the mid-lake location
was roughly 1700 to 1900 years younger than at the other two sites.
It is difficult to relate these data to those pertaining to apparent
thickness of recent unconsolidated deposits. If it is assumed that
the average age of about 4200 years at the 90-cm depth in the Buck
Island Outlet cores is representative for sediments in that region
of the lake, then the deepest sediments there (about 18 m) are approximately
84,000 years old. However, the indicated ages at the 30 and 60 cm
depths in the Outlet core show an accelerated rate of sedimentation
in more recent years, possibly related to changes in the watershed
and in the trophic status of the lake. The difference in age between
the 60 and 90 cm depths is about 3,000 years, whereas that between
30 and 60 cm is only about 100 years. The overall average rate of
deposition at the Outlet is approximately 0.22 mm per year, but it
1s obvious that actual rates have fluctuated greatly.
PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The sediments at the primary sites: Howard Bay, the Outlet and Buck
Island, were composed of diatom frustules, organic matter, and mineralogical
components consisting of feldspar, chlorite, vermiculite, and mica
g
(Wildung, Blaylock, Routson, and Gahler). Sediment samples from
10
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Howard Bay and Buck Island were characterized as silty clay (Table 2).
The cation exchange capacity of these sediments ranged between 30
and 55 meq/100 g.
The water content of the sediments throughout the entire lake system
was high, 88 to 92 percent at the water^ interface and 80 to 88 percent
at 1.2 m below the interface, as indicated by core samples. At Station
H and the Outlet the water content decreased to 55 to 65 percent
at 1.2 m. A layer of pumice-like material occurred at this level
in both locations.
Surficial sediment pH varied from 6.1 to 7.8, and E. from -0.1 to
+0.3 volt. The odor of hydrogen sulfide was thought to be detected
only once or twice. Undisturbed sediment surface samples taken with
a Jenkins corer (Mortimer ) did
reduced black subsurface layers.
a Jenkins corer (Mortimer ) did not reveal oxidized surface and
Total phosphorus (total-P) varied in surface sediment samples from
0.022 to 0.12 percent on a dry weight basis. The total-P content
in surficial sediment did not increase appreciably with depth of
water. Samples taken along transects where deeper holes occur in
the lake (near Bare Island) showed no significant increase in phosphorus:
0.072 percent P at 3 m to 0.075 percent P at 8 m along a transect
north of the island, and 0.062 percent P at 4 m to 0.073 percent
at 15 m along a transect south of the island.
The total carbon content varied from 3.7 to 10.0 percent, with the
highest values in Howard Bay. ;No carbonate occurred in the surface
sediments indicating that all carbon was present as organic matter.
Total-N content was 0.46 to 1.3 percent.
Vertical Distribution of Nutrients in Interstitial Water
Cores were obtained at Howard Bay, Buck Island, the Outlet, and several
other locations to determine the distribution of nutrients with respect
11
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to sediment depth. Analyses of interstitial water were performed
at standard core depths as indicated. Data are summarized in Table 3.
Considering the primary sampling sites at Howard Bay, Buck Island,
and the Outlet, both orthophosphate-phosphorus (ortho-P) and total
soluble phosphorus (TSP) were as much as several orders of magnitude
greater in the interstitial sediment water from Howard Bay. Ortho-P and
TSP doubled between the 0-30 and 60-90 cm core segments, and remained
constant to the 120-150 cm depth. Some increase in phosphorus with
sediment depth was evident at the other two locations, but values
never exceeded a fraction of a milligram per liter at any depth.
Similarly, ammonia nitrogen in the interstitial water was much greater
at Howard Bay, ranging between 85.0 and 146.0 mg/1 there as opposed
to 8.5 to 17.0 at Buck Island and 22.0 to 47.0 at the Outlet. Ammonia
concentration increased with core depth at all three sites. Total
Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) values differed little from ammonia-N. Oxidized
N forms were negligible.
Conductivity was very high in the Howard Bay sediment, and at all
three stations conductivity increased with core depth. Hardness
was also greatest in Howard Bay and appeared to increase significantly
with depth at that location only.
Soluble.silica was of the same order of concentration at all three
sites, and did not exhibit major changes in concentration with sediment
depth.
Comparisons:of the Howard Bay, Buck Island, and Outlet cores with
those taken at other locations in the lake (Stations D thru J)
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Indicate that nutrient levels in the sediment of inner Howard Bay
were unusually high and not typical of the lake as a whole. P values
at Howard Bay ranged to 18.2 mg/1 and TKN to 122.0; at all other
locations phosphorus was always less than 1.0 mg/1 and TKN was well
below 25 mg/1. Stations D, E, and F were also located in Howard
Bay but were more typical of the lake stations than of the inner
bay. The very high chemical concentrations there may be causally
related to drainage water from an adjacent ranch, as noted previously
by Gahler (1969). Analyses of this discharge made in 1968 showed
ortho-P concentrations of 0.20 mg/1, and total P, 0.46 mg/1. However,
nitrogen levels were not unusually high, with ammonia-N <0.1 and
TKN 3.2 mg/1.
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SECTION VIII
INTERRELATIONSHIPS OF SEDIMENT CHEMISTRY AND LIMNOL06ICAL CONDITIONS
Water chemistry data for Howard Bay and the Outlet for the period
4
July-1967 - March 1969 were reported by Gahler. More recently collected
data, together with Gahler's, for the Howard Bay, Buck Island, and
Outlet stations are presented in Table 4.
Data designed to show temporal variation of interstitial water chemistry
of surficial sediments at the primary sampling sites were collected
from June 1968 to July 1970. These data appear in Table 5.
Temporal variation of lake surface water and sediment interstitial
water vjlues for TKN, total-P, ortho-P or TSP, and soluble non-volatile
organic carbon (SNOC) from the Howard Bay, Outlet, and Buck Island
stations are presented graphically in Figures 3, 4, and 5, utilizing data
from Tables 4 and 5 for surface water. Multiple data for a given
month have been averaged to yield a single data point. Secchi disc
transparency and visual observations of phytoplankton growth are
also noted on the graphs. The time spans covered by these data at
the three stations were selected, for the most part, to coincide
with periods for which sediment chemistry data existed for those
same stations, to compare temporal variation of nutrients in water
with sediment interstitial nutrients.
HOWARD BAY (Figure 3)
In January 1968 the lake was ice-covered. TKN was at the somewhat
elevated level of 3.5 mg/1; SNOC measured 9 mg/1. Shortly after
ice-out in March, TKN had shown little change, but SNOC had doubled,
coinciding with the onset of the spring diatom bloom. Both ortho-P
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and total-P were relatively high. TKN, SNOC, and total-P decreased
sharply in April and May, while secchi disc transparency increased
to 115 cm. Aphanizomenon flos-aquae growth began in late May, corresponding
to the increases in TKN and total-P which attained maximum values
in late summer and fall. Data on SNOC^tre lacking for that period.
The highest observed TKN for the season at this station occurred
in October (5.5 mg/1). This does not agree with the decreased total-
P, the much higher secchi disc transparency, and the visual observation
that some A. flos-aquae was present. However, TKN at the Outlet
station was also high at that time.
Chemical data on surficial sediments from Howard Bay in 1968 are
available only for June, August, and October. Sedimentary TKN and
TSP levels showed sharp increases in August over June, paralleling
the increases in these parameters observed in the overlying water.
By October TKN and TSP had declined somewhat although, as already
pointed out, TKN in the water attained a maximum at that time.
Data on lake water were not obtained for the 1968-69 winter period
at Howard Bay. TKN was at an intermediate level (5.3 mg/1) in June,
1969, the first month that observations were made that year, and increased
to an extreme high of 14.6 mg/1 in July. Growth of A. flos-aquae
was described as "very heavy." SNOC peaked sharply with the TKN
on this occasion and minimal secchi disc values of 15 cm were
observed. TKN declined sharply in August but rose again somewhat
in September. SNOC decreased steadily after August, and water clarity
increased.
Low midsummer sedimentary N and P levels in 1969 corresponded to
the very sharp August rise in TKN and SNOC 1n the lake water, associated
15
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with very heavy A. flos-aquae growth (discussed above). Sediment
N and P concentrations rose in September and October (TKN peaked at
690 mg/1) as the algal bloom declined and were accompanied by falling
levels of N and P in the water.
THE OUTLET (Figure 4)
At the Outlet the sequence was similar to that described for Howard
Bay. High 1967-68 winter values for TKN in the lake water fell to
lows of about 1.0 mg/1 in April and May, corresponding to increased
secchi disc transparency ranging from about 40 to 105 cm. Total-
P also decreased, but a similar trend was not found for SNOC. TKN
increased greatly in late summer and early fall, reaching the high
for that year of 8.5 mg/1 in October. Total-P was high also, and
secchi disc transparency stabilized at 55-70 cm after the high of
105 cm in May. The increases in TKN and total-P paralleled an A_.
flos-aquae bloom which began in late May, as was also noted for Howard
Bay.
The very few data on sediment chemistry obtained for this station
in 1968 preclude any discussion of trends there, or comparisons with
water chemistry, for that year.
Data were obtained a month earlier in 1969 (May) than at Howard Bay.
Lowest TKN values (0.6 mg/1) for the two-year sampling period were
found at that time, and SNOC was likewise quite low. Secchi disc
'data are lacking for May and June, but decreasing transparency from
July through September corresponded to increases in TKN, SNOC, and
total-P, and visual observations of very heavy A. flos-aquae growths
occurring through late summer and early fall.
TKN and TSP concentrations in the sediment at the outlet in 1969
were much lower than at Howard Bay. The highest TKN concentration,
1.0 mg/1, occurred in May coincident with the very low value of 0.6
mg/1 found in the overlying water that month. The TSP level in the
sediment was also maximal in May. Both TKN and TSP fluctuated through
16
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June and July, but stabilized at low levels in August, September,
and October coincident with a heavy late summer-fall A_. flos-aquae
bloom and high TKN levels in the lake water.
BUCK ISLAND (Figure 5)
The Buck Island station was not sampled as frequently as Howard Bay
or the Outlet. Data obtained from May to October, 1969, afford the
only continuous record of water and sediment chemistry. The interstitial
water chemistry from 1968, however, is interesting to compare with
the concurrent visual observations of phytoplankton. As noted on
Figure 5, the weather in August was abnormally cold and rainy.
Phytoplankton growth was much less than normal, and this is reflected
in the high levels of interstitial TKN and ammonia-nitrogen. The
sharp rise in TSP in October is difficult to explain, but the decrease
in interstitial TKN and ammonia-N through September and October appears
to correspond with the late A_. flos-aquae bloom.
As at the other two sites in 1969, TKN in the lake water increased
strongly through the summer and early fall coincident with very heavy
production of A. flos-aquae. TKN rose from 0.8 mg/1 in May to 4.2
mg/1 in September, falling to 2.6 mg/1 1n October. SNOC rose to 9.0
in July, falling to 7 mg/1 in August; it was not determined beyond
that time. A peak in total-P coincided with the September TKN maximum.
TKN levels in the interstitial water exhibited two peaks, one in
May (5.5 mg/1), and a second in September (5.2 irigYT), the latter
coinciding with the TKN peak in the lake water. Interstitial total-P
also showed a bimodal distribution, with the lowest value occurring
in July when the TKN low was observed. SNOC measurements were not
made on interstitial water except in April.
17
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SECTION IX
DISCUSSION
The problem of sediment-water nutrient interchange and, in particular,
the question of ultimate availability to algae of nutrients released
from lake sediments, may never be completely resolved. The present
study has emphasized nutrients present in solution in the interstitial
water of the sediments, since such dissolved nutrients would be
expected to be most readily transferrable to the overlying lake water
through physical, chemical, or biological mechanisms.
Harriss has stated, "The composition of interstitial waters from
river and lake sediments is controlled by a complex interaction of
the ground water recharge system, mineralogical dissolution and precipitation
reactions, biological activity, and the degree of physical interaction
between the sediment and overlying water." Other investigators have
measured soluble constituents in interstitial water for the purpose
of studying mineral-water equilibria and mineral transformations
To I q
(Sutherland, et al ). Gorham suggested that ions would diffuse
from the interstitial water to the overlying water, particularly
during stormy periods. Sullivan has shown that orthophosphate
in the sediment interstitial water from Lake Bloomington increases
during stratification and decreases following turnover. Lee has
pointed out that in lakes the hydrodynamics of the system are often
the rate-controll ing step in exchange reactions, and that currents
in the overlying waters tend to transport leached materials away
from the sediments and thereby allow concentration-dependent exchange
reactions to proceed.
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There is little doubt that in a large shallow lake such as Upper
Klamath Lake, turbulent mixing frequently extends to the bottom.
Disturbance of the fine, flocculervt sediment must often result,
with consequent mixing of interstitial and lake water. The inverse
relation between nutrient concentrations-in interstitial water and
overlying lake water which were observed at the three primary stations,
particularly Howard Bay, may be an indication of uptake of sediment-
contained nutrients by photosynthetic organisms.
Mil dung and Schmidt also noted variations in sediment and water
phosphorus chemistry which appeared to be related to biological activity.
Decreases in total and inorganic P in Howard Bay sediments in the
early summer of 1969 were related to the exponential growth of A.
flos-aquae. The following year reductions in sediment P in Howard
Bay in April and August coincided with an extensive increase in diatom
numbers and a delayed A_. fl os-aquae bloom. Therefore, they suggested
that considerable quantities of sediment P were released at times
of maximum production in Howard Bay, but that because of algal uptake
these losses from the sediments were not reflected in increased concentrations
of dissolved P in the water. In comparisions of SNOC in the water
with sediment inorganic P in Howard Bay, a significant inverse correlation
was found, a further indication of utilization of sedimentary nutrients
in biological production.
Further evidence favoring the likelihood of biological utilization
p
of sedimentary nutrients has been provided by Morita , who has shown
that bacteria isolated from Upper Klamath Lake sediment have the
ability to solubilize phosphate precipitates through the production
of necessary organic acids. However, in order for the soluble
phosphate to become available for algae, there must be an interchange
between the sediment and the overlying water. He suggested that
for shallow Upper Klamath Lake wind stress could result in physical
suspension of sediment and consequent mixing of the soluble phosphorus
with the lake water. Such suspension and mixing appear to be a distinct
19
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possibility according to Bond, et al, who concluded that resuspension
of sediments in Upper Klamath Lake occurs when water mass movement
exceeds 0.005 m/sec (0.02 ft/sec), which would be expected to occur
in response to wind speeds of 0.9 - 2.2 m/sec (2-5 mph).
During this study a different sediment-water exchange mechanism was
observed. In 1968 and 1970, the blue-green alga Qscillatoria princeps.
which grew as a mat on the sediment, produced and collected sufficient
gas to cause sections to be lifted to the lake surface. As the algal
mass rose, it brought with it attached sediment in pieces 30 cm or
more in breadth and from 15 to 30 cm thick. Such clumps were found
floating throughout the lake in June 1968, throughout Howard Bay
in September 1968, and in the northern area of the lake in August
1970. When the floating sediment broke apart, the soluble nutrients
in the interstitial water were dispersed, as evidenced by increased
concentrations in the water. Between August and September 1968,
the average concentrations of nutrients in the water in Howard Bay
increased as follows: from 0.4 to 1.1 mg/1 total-P, from 0.15
to 1.2 mg/1 ammonia-N, and from 5.2 to 8 mg/1 TKN. Conductivity
increased from 125 to 190 y-mhos/cm, and dissolved oxygen decreased
from 6 to 3 mg/1. The water at the Outlet and Buck Island stations,
where an A. f 10s-aquae bloom was occurring but where 0_. princeps
was undetected on the lake surface, contained levels of 0.25 mg/1
total-P, <0.1 mg/1 ammonia-N, 5.5 mg/1 TKN, 7.5 mg/1 dissolved oxygen,
and conductivity of 122 y-mhos/cm.
Data from the present study, however, appear to support sediment-water
nutrient interchange more strongly in Howard Bay than in other parts
of the lake. As already pointed out, phosphorus concentration in
Howard Bay sediment was several orders of magnitude higher than in
Buck Island or Outlet sediment samples. Further, variations in
20
-------
nutrient concentration in Howard Bay sediment were quite large in
comparision with those at Buck Island and the Outlet, with TKN and
ammonia-N fluctuating over a range in excess of 50 mg/1. At the
Outlet and Buck Island, fluctuations were less than 10 mg/1, and
were much more likely to represent random variations.
The earlier data of Miller and Tash and of Miller likewise
suggest that sediment-water interchange is of greater importance
to the nutrient budget of Howard Bay than to that of the rest of the
lake. Measurements made by them between March 1965 and April 1966
showed that the Wood and Williamson Rivers contributed 43 to 79 percent
of all nutrients entering Upper Klamath lake, with the remainder
coming from pristine streams, agricultural drainage, canals, and
springs. No significant point sources were found. Average
concentrations of most nutrients in lake water and tributary water
for the period March 1965 to April 1966 were quite similar. Total
phosphorus was higher in the inflow water (0.17 vs 0.11 mg/1).
Nitrogen concentration in the lake, on the other hand, averaged
over three times that in the tributaries, possibly as a result of
biological fixation. Boron, calcium, chloride, iron, magnesium,
potassium, silica, sodium, and sulfate showed little difference
between lake and influent water. However, significant exchange of these
substances between sediment and water probably would not be expected.
21
-------
SECTION X
REFERENCES
1. Miller, W. E. and J. C. Tash. Upper Klamath Lake studies, Oregon.
Interim Report, U. S. Dept. of Interior, FWPCA, Publication No. WP-20-8,
Water Pollution Control Research Series, September 1967.
2. Morita, R. Y. Sediment-water-bacteria interactions in eutrophication.
Office of Research and Monitoring, U. S. Environmental Protection
Agency. Final Report, Project 16010EBB. x + 121 p., March 1972.
3. Wildung, R. E. and R. L. Schmidt. Phosphorus release from lake
sediments. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. Office of
Research and Monitoring, Ecological Research Series, No. EPA-R3-73-
024, April 1973. xvi + 185 p., April 1973.
4. Gaffler, A. R. Field studies on sediment-water algal nutrient
interchange processes and water quality of Upper Klamath and Agency
Lakes. Working Paper 66, Pacific Northwest Water Laboratory, U.S.
Dept. of Interior, Corvallis, Oregon, October 1969.
5. Marston, R.,, Federal Water Pollution Control Administration.
Personal Communication.
6. Bond, C. E., C. R. Hazel, and D. Vincent. Relations of nuisance
algae to fishes in Upper Klamath Lake. Terminal Progress Report
for FWPCA. Dept. of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State Univ.,
Corvallis, Oregon, 1968.
7. Livingstone, D. A. The use of filament tape in raising long cores
from soft sediment. Lirnnol. Oceanogr. 12; 346-348. April 1967.
22
-------
8. Gahler, A. R. Sediment-water nutrient interchange. Proc. Eutrophication-
Biostimulation Assessment Workshop, Berkeley, CA. E. J. Middlebrooks,
et.al_., Eds. p. 243-257, June 1969.
w-.
9. Wildung, R. E., J. W. Blaylock, R. C. Routson, and A. R. Gahler.
Seasonal distribution of phosphorus in total, inorganic and organic
fractions of eutrophic lake sediments. Paper presented at the Soil
Science Society of America Annual meeting, 1970.
10. Mortimer, C. H. The exchange of dissolved substances between mud and
water in lakes. J. Ecol., 29:280-329, 1941.
11. Harriss, R. C. Silica and chloride in interstitial waters of river
and lake sediments. Limnol. Oceanogr. 12: 8-12, 1967.
12. Sutherland, V. C., J. R. Kramer, L. Nichols, and T. D. Kurtz.
Mineral-water equilibria, Great Lakes: silica and phosphorus. Proceedings,
Ninth Conference on Great Lakes Research, Publication No. 15, Great
Lakes Research Division, Univ. Michigan, 439-445, March 1966.
13. Gorham, E. Factors influencing supply of major ions to inland
water, with special reference to the atmosphere. Geol. Soc. Am.
Bull., 72; 814, 1961.
14. Sullivan, W. T. Chemical composition of the mud-water interface
zone, with the description of an interface sampling device. Proc.
Tenth Conf. on Great Lakes Research, Internat. Assoc. for Great Lakes
Research, p. 390-403, April 1967.
15. Lee, G. F. Factors affecting the transfer of materials between water
and sediments. Literature Review No. 1, Univ. of Wisconsin
Water Resources Center, 50 p., July 1970.
16. Miller, W. E. EPA. Unpublished data. Personal communication.
23
-------
SECTION XI
Appendix
METHODS OF ANALYSIS
A. Laboratory
Determination
Units
Method
Reference
Alkalinity, Total
Conductivity
Carbon, Total
Carbon, soluble
non-volatile organic
Hardness, Ca
Hardness, Total
Nitrogen-Ammonia
Nitrogen-Nitrate
Nitrogen-Nitrite
Nitrogen-Total Kjeldahl
pH
Phosphorus, ortho
Phosphorus, total
Silica, Soluble
Sodium
Potassium
Chloride
Sulfate
mg C«COj/l Titrimetric with sulfuric acid
micromhos/cm Conductimetric measurement
mg C/t. Combustion, infrared detection in Beckman Carbonaceous
Analyzer
mg C/t Acidification of sample, volatilization of CO^ with nitrogen
gas, determination in Beckman Carbonaceous Analyzer
ng CaCO,/i Titrimetric with EDTA, Hydroxy Naphthol Blue indicator
mg CaC03/t Titrimetric with EDTA, Calmagite indicator
mg N/e Distillation, Spectrophotometric measurement
mg N/£ Spectrophotometric measurement
mg N/j Spectrophotometric measurement
mg N/8. Digestion, distillation, Spectrophotometric measurement
pH Beckman Electromate and other portable pH meters
mg P/t Millipore filtration, Spectrophotometric deterfiiination
mg f/i Digestion in acid solution with persulfate, Spectrophotometric
determination
mgSiO./t Spectrophotometric determination
mg Na/l Flame photometric or atomic absorption Spectrophotometric
determination
mg K/i Flame photometric or atomic absorption Spectrophotometric
determination
mg Cl/l Tttrimetrlc with mercuric nitrate
mg S04/i Turbidlmetric measurement
SMEMW*
SMEUW
ASTM (0 2579)
SMEWU
SMEWW
Technlcon Auto analyzer
Technicon Auto analyzer
Technicon Auto analyzer, SMEW
Aminco digestion, semi-micro
distillation apparatus, SMEW
Strickland, FHPCA"
Strickland, FHPCA
Technicon Auto analyzer, SHCIM
SMEWW
SMEWW
SMEWW
SMEWW
-------
JO
Ol
METHODS OF ANALYSIS
B. Field
Determination
Conductivity
Oxygen
PH
Transparency
Temperature
Units
microfflhos/ctn
mg 0/t
pH
cm
°C
Instrument
Beckman RB3 - 327 Solu Bridge
Electronic Instruments Limited Model
Beckman portable pH meters
SeccM disc
Electronic Instruments Limited
ISA dissolved oxygen meter and probe
• Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Waste Water, Twelfth Ed.. 1965
** FWPCA Official Interim Methods for Chemical Analysis of Surface Waters. Sept. 1968
-------
Table 1. Age of Sediments as Determined by Carbon-14 Dating
Age (Years B. P.)*
Core depth
(cm)
15
30
60
90
Mid-Lake
2060 ± 270
4040 ± 570
2425 ± 375
Buck Island
1940 ± 220
4110 ±-210
Outlet
Modern
1260 ± 200
1350 ± 180
4370 ± 220
*Before Present
26
-------
Table 2. Physical Properties of Upper Klamath Lake Sediments*
(Dry basis, except as noted)
Organi c
Sediment Matter
%
Howard Bay 18.4
Buck Island 14.2
Water**
% Sand
%
2.0-
0.05 mm
91.3 3.1
91.1 4.9
Texture
Silt
%
0.05-
0.002 mm
40.6
52.3
Textural
Description
Clay
%
<0.002 mm ~
56.3 Silty
42.9 Silty
Clay
Clay
*Data obtained via personal communication from V. Volk, Oregon State University.
**Wet Basis
27
-------
Table 3
Interstitial Water Chemistry
(Sediment Cores)
A. Primary Stations
Depth- cm
Constituent
•#>
Cond
pH
P-ortho
P-total sol
N-NH3
N-TKN
N-N03
N-N02
Hardness, T
Silica, sol
Howard Bay
8-20-68
0-45 45-90
1076 1297
8.1
10.5 14.5
10.5 14.8
86 107
86 102
141
91 92
90-135
1474
8.2
12.0
12.0
126
122
177
86
0-30
1022
7.7
8.5
8.5
85
<0.03
<0.02
189
56
Howard Bay
10-23-68
60-90 120-150
1363
7.8
16.5
17.0
119
^.03
<0.02
246
60
1659
7.8
17.5
18.2
146
<0.03
<0.02
264
58
Notes: Constituents expressed in mg/1.
Conductivity expressed in nricromhos/cm @ 25°C.
28
-------
ro
to
Table 3 (Cont'd)
A. Primary Stations
Depth-cm
Constituent
Cond
pH
P-ortho
P-total sol
N-NH3
N-TKN
N-N03
N-N02
Hardness, T
Silica, sol
0-30
191
6.9
.07
.17
8.5
10.4
0.1
37
49
Buck Island
9-24-68
30-60 60-90
231
6.8
.11
.22
12
15
.08
36
49
266
6.9
.08
.27
14.5
19.3
<.03 <
41
49
90-120
298
7.4
.05
.17
16
21.2
:.03
47 '
43
120-150
306
7.1
.03
.19
17
21.8
<.03
51
41
150-155
211
7.0
.04
.19
12.5
17.5
.03
30
42
0-30
221
8.1
(a). 03
(a). 05
22
22
9
78
30-60
364
7.8
.14
.24
37
37
42
81
Outlet
8-27-68
60-90
417
7.9
.31
.44
42
46
33
76
90-120
472
8.2
.10
.24
47
56
38
50
Data for Outlet for ortho-P and total soTuFIe-F taken 9-2^-68.
-------
Table 3 (Cont'd)
B. Secondary Stations
Depth-cm
Constituent
Cond.
PH
P -ortho
P-total sol
N-NH3
N-TKN
N-N03
N-N02
Hardness, T
Silica, sol
Sta. D
10-23-68
0-30 60-90
240
7.2
.43
.53
11
12.5
<.03
<.02
66
50
329
7.9
.59
.73
16.8
.9.7
<.03
<.02
66
54
120-150 0-30
389
7.2
.28
.49
19.2
22.6
<.03
<.02
85
54
264
7.0
.44
.57
12.4
12.5
<.03
<.02
57
60
Sta. E Sta. F
10-23-68 ., 10-23-68
60-90 120-150 0-30 60-90
335
7.2
.24
.40
16
19.1
<.03
<.02
113
60
381
7.1
.20
.38
17.4
20.3
<.03
<.02
104
55
293
7.2
.40
.47
16.8
15.5
<.03
<.02
57
54
321
7.2
.70
.83
16.8
18.5
<.03
<.02
66
58
120-150
334
7.1
.53
.63
16.2
17.9
<.03
.08
85
59
30
-------
Tables (Cont'd)
B. Secondary Stations
Sta. G Sta. H
11-7-68 11-7-68
Depth-cm 0-30 60-90 120-150 0-30 30-60 60-90 90-120 120-150
Constituent
Cond
pH
P-ortho
P-total sol
N-NH3
N-total Kjel
N-N03
N-N02
Hardness, T
Silica, Sol.
195
8.0
.14
.18
7.2
7.4
<.03
<.02
50
255
8.0
.11
.19
10.8
11
<.03
<.02
56
349
8.2
.25
.34
14.8
<.03
<.02
10.5?
153
7.9
.04
.15
4.2
5.7
<.03
<.02
57
44
217
8.0
.45
.59
7.8
9.5
<.03
<.02
62
52
248
8.1
.09
.23
10.1
12.8
<.03
<.02
79
51
262
8.1
.08
.23
10.6
<.03
<.02
76
42
281
8.1
.06
.25
11
15.5
<.03
<.02
72
40
31
-------
Table 3 (Cont'd)
B. Secondary Stations
Depth -cm
Consti tuent
Cond
pH
P-ortho
P-total sol.
N-NH3
N-total Kjel.
N-N03
N-N02
Hardness, T
Silica, sol
0-30
208
8.0
.41
.57
9.3
13.8
.10
<.02
37
53
Sta. I
11-20-68
30-60 60-90
236
8.1
.43
.63
10.9
17.8
.05
<.02
43
56
245
8.1
.18
.29
12
16.2
.05
<.02
42
52
90-120
250
8.1
.05
.22
12.6
17.8
<.03
<.02
41
50
120-150
268
8.1
.03
.21
13.4
17.0
<.03
<.02
43
48
150-160
234
8.0
.03
.14
11.8
16.2
<.03
<.02
35
46
0-30
230
8.0
.09
.15
11.4
12.8
<.03
<.02
57
46
30-60
288
8.0
.15
.21
15.9
14.9
<.03
<.02
62
52
Sta. J
11-7-68
60-90 90-120
314
8.1
.15
.25
17.1
17.3
<.03
<.02
79
49
309
8.2
.25
.34
17.1
19.1
<.03
<.02
76
8
120-150
300
8.2
.11
.21
. 16.8
18.2
.06
<.02
72
42
-------
Table 4
Lake Water Chemistry
at Primary Stations
A. Howard Bay
0« te of
Collection
9-15-67
10-12-67
11-16-67
12-12-67
12-13-67
1-18-68
1-31-68
3-02-68
4-04-68
5-08-68
8 6-12-68
6-25-68
7-09-68
8-14-68
9-11-68
10-22-66
b
Cl
Cond. -
K
(L) -
Depth T.Alk.
s 55
s 61
s 59
b 58
s 61
s 59
b 59
s 69
b 84
$ 75
b 113
s 70
b 75
s 84
b 78
s 45
b 45
S 45
b .43
b 50
s 50
b 51
s 58
b S8
s 75
b 75
$ 73
Cond.
109
141
128
130
139
138
139
181
263
169
367
296
355
105
105
105
115
112
105.
110
120
125
126
126
185
197
180
Carbon
Total
23
31
24
24
22
22
22
29
37
28
62
43
43
19
20
38
36
30
Carbon
SNOC
10
10
8
6
7
10
8
9
13
9
31
18
21
B
12
6
Hardness Hardness P P Silica
Ca Total N-NHj N-NO} N-HO, TKN Ortho Total Soluble Na K Cl SO, gH
33 37
34 37
31 55
29 42
29 39
32 38
35 40
43 58
66 88
42 48
110 126
102 106
128 133
26 31
22 33
22 30
23 32
28 61
67 78
65 77
33 44
38 47
28 39
bottom Na
chloride N-NH3 -
conductivity (micromhos/cm) N-NC^ -
potassium N-NO^ -
laboratory measurments s
< .1 .05 2.5 .07 .08 27.8 12.0 2.1 8.8
.22 .36 31.4 14.0 2.8 <10 7.6
1.4 .12 3.0 .05 .15 31.4 11.3 2.6
-------
Table 4 (cont'd)
A. Howard Bay
Date of
Collection
05-07-69
06-03-69
06-03-69
07-16-69
07-16-69
08-04-69
08-04-69
08-28-69
08-28-69
09-09-69
09-09-69
09-30-69
09-30-69
10-20-69
10-20-69
01-13-70
01-13-70
Depth
b
s
b
s
b
s
b
s
b
s
b
s
b
s
b
s
b
T.Allc.
42
42
43
70
46
49
48
47
46
66
64
48
52
54
88
Cond.
98
110
108
105
102
110
114
115
.
117
117
172
178
135
148
145
338
Carbon
Total
14
35
22
35
25
25
25
20
20
31
38
21
39
Carbon Hardness
SNOC Ca
4 29
10 31
7 29
23 31
8 30
7
7
6
7
7
14
Hardness
Total N-NH,
30
37
49
36
33
44
46
46
46
50
45
36
38
31
35
.05
2.7
1.8
11.0
1.2
1.7
1.6
1.3
1.2
.31
.21
1.8
1.8
.7
1.0
0.5
0.8
P P S111ca
N-N03 N-NO, TKN Ortho Total Soluble Na K C1 SO. pH
<.01 <.01 .8 <.01
.01 <.01 5.3 <.01
<.01 <.01 3.6 <.01
.09 .01 14.6 <.01
<.01 <.01 3.5 <.01
3.4
3.7
.03 .01 3.3
.04 .01 3.4
.03 <.01 2.6
< . 01 < . 01 2.9
.02 .01 5.0 .23
<.01 <.01 5.6 .17
3.2
3.0
.35 1.9 <.01
.35 3.5 .03
.16
.20
.14
.16
.20
.18
.05
.48
.37
.31
.23
.22
.14
.24
21
23
23
39
39
40
44
40
40
44
44
44
44
31
35
_ — -t
7.8 1.9 <5 <10 7.0
9.5
8.4
8.7
9.1
<10 9.4
<10
<10 8.9
<10 9.1
10 7.9
11 8.1
9.0 1.8 <10 8.3
9.9 1.8 10 7.9
7.5
7.3
-------
Table 4 (cont'd)
B. Outlet
* Date of
Collection
10-11-67
11-16-67
1-18-68
•
1-31-68
3-02-68
4-04-68
5-08-68
6-12-68
6-25-68
7-09-68
8-14-68
9-11-68
10-23-68
2-06-69
Depth
s
s
s
b
s
b
s
b
s
b
s
b
s
b
b
s
b
s
b
s
b
s
b
s
T.AU.
58
63
65
64
64
48
51
43
42
45
46
47
47
50
54
54
52
52
61
53
Cond.
108
138
137
141
137
139
110
107
105
105
108
105
110
109
110
145
133
113
114
122
123
150
152
150
Carbon
Total
27
23
25
26
23
23
24
22
20
20
.
29
26
26
23
Carbon
SNOC
13
7
8
6
7
8
9
9
9
9
7
Hardness
Ca
32
30
3«
33
31
32
30
32
18
19
25
23
33
64
64
34
29
27
24
Hardness
Total
34
48
39
41
40
40
31
32
32
30
33
38
51
68
76
35
38
38
37
Nuu u un
"* ™n^ n^iiu*)
j J
2.0 .08
1.9 .20
2.0 .32
1.8 .13
1.8 .13
<.l .13
<.l .12
<.l .02
<.l .02
<.l .01
<.1 .01
< . 1 < .01
< . 1 <.01
.56 <.01
<.l .03
<.l .03
0.1 <.01
<.1 <.01
.55 .06
.15 .12
N-NO, TKN
u
2.9
.02 2.7
<.01 3.4
<.01 2.8
<.01 2.8
<.01
<.01 2.1
<.01 1.1
<.01 1.2
0.9
1.0
1.3
1.6
< .01
< .01
<.01 3.6
<.01 3.5
<.01 3.6
.01 8.5
<.01 2.7
P
Ortho
.03
.07
.12
.11
.11
.10
<.01
<.01
.01
.01
.02
.01
.01
.01
.11
.07
.09
.10
.10
.08
P
Total
.15
.13
.18
.cl
.31
.16
.28
.15
.08
.07
.06
.08
.09
.12
.37
.27
.24
.29
.39
.24
Silica
Soluble
32.0
33.0
33.5
34.1
35.3
35.4
19.4
20.3
11.7
11.7
9.7
10.0
14.7
40.8
41.0
48.0
49.0
39.2
29.3
Na
13.5
11.0
11.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
8.8
9.3
10.0
9.8
9.0
12.0
9.9
K Cl SO.
"
2.3 <10
<5 <10
2.7 <5 <10
2.7 <5 <10
2.5
2.5
1.9 <5 <10
2.0 <5 <10
1.9 <10
2.1 <10
2.0
2.7 <5 <10
2.7 <5 <10
2.6 <5 <10
2.4
-------
Table 4 (cont'd)
B. Outlet
Date of
Collection
05-06-69
06-03-69
06-03-69
07-16-69
07-16-69
08-04-69
08-04-69
08-28-69
09-09-69
09-09-69
09-30-69
09-30-69
10-21-69
10-21-69
01-13-70
01-13-70
Depth
s
s
b
s
b
s
b
s
s
b
s
b
s
b
s
b
T.Alk.
41
43
42
45
44
46
49
47
48
48
49
49
59
51
Cond.
98
112
109
108
108
115
118
112
118
118
113
113
Carbon
Total
14
21
21
22
20
22
27
23
27
26.
19
21
Carbon Hardness
SNOC Ca
4 26
4 36
5 30
7 29
8 30
6
7
7
4
4
Hardness
Total
30
38
34
32
31
36
32
31
35
33
33
33
N~NH» N~NO«
.03 <.01
.52 <.01
.78 <.01
.23 <.01
.18 <.01
1.0
.90
.72 <.01
.06 <.01
.07 .02
.10 .02
.09 <.01
.04
.04
1.1 .15
1.1 .15
H-NO, TKN
<.Q1 .6
<.01 1.6
<.01 1.9
<.01 2.8
<.01 2.7
4.5
4.0
<.01 2.9
<.01 4.2
<.01 3.3
.01 4.3
<.01 4.2
3.8
2.4
2.4
2.4
P P
Ortho Total
<.01 .26
<.01 .08*
<.01 .08
<.01 .16
<.01 .14
.22
.20
.36
.46
.05 .33
.04 .28
.32
.23
.02 .11
.02 .16
Silica
Soluble NV
21 7.9
23
23
38
37
40.
40
40
44
44
44 9.7
45 9.5
38
39
K C1 SO. pH
1.9 <5 <10 6.4
9.6
9.5
9.7
9.7
<10 9.7
<10 9.3
<10 9.2
<10 9.6
<10 9.7
1.6 8.3
1.6 8.3
7.3
7.3
-------
Table 4 (ccmt'd)
C. Buck Island
Date of
Collection
05-07-69
05-07-69
06-02-69
06-02-69
07-16-69
07-16-69
08-04-69
08-04-69
08-28-69
08-28-69
09-09-69
09-09-69
09-30-69
09-30-69
10-21-69
10-21-69
Depth
s
b
s
b
s
b
s
b
s
b
s
b
s
b
s
b
T.AIk.
42
42
42
42
43
44
45
45
47
46
48
48
49
48
Cond.
110
110
108
102
109
109
108
108
115
117
112
114
118
118
128
128
Carbon
Total
14
14
18
18
19
23
22
22
31
20
25
22
Carbon Hardness
SNOC Ca
4 ' 28
4 29
5 30
4 30
9 30
8 30
7
7
7
7
Hardness
Total
32
31
40
33
33
31
36
34
38
33
31
36
N MU M tlf\
n^nn» n™nu»
.06 <.01
1 .05 .01
.47 <.01
.24 .01
.08 <.01
.09 <.01
.7
.5
.4 <.01
.5 < . 01
.06 <.01
.04 <.01
.1 .05
.06 .62
.07
.05
N-NCL JJN
<.01 .8
< . 01 .9
<.01 1.4
<.01 1.0
<.01 2.0
<.01 2.9
3.8
4.5
<.01 2.3
.02 3.2
•c.Ol 5.4
<.01 2.0
<.01 3.0
.017 3.2
2.6
1.8
P P
Ortho Total
<.01 .16
<.01 .14
<.01 .07
<.01 .07
<.01 .10
<.01 .15
.20
.28
.94
.88
.24
.26
.16
.20
SHIca
Soluble Mi
20 7.6
20 7.8
23
23
37
37
40
40
40
39
44
44
44 9.7
44 9.5
K. C1 SO. pH
1.9 <5 <10 8.5
1.9 <5 <10 7.8
9.2
9.4
9.2
9.7
9.7
<10 9.7
<10 9.7
<10 9.2
9.1
9.6
9.6
1.3 <10 8.8
1.4 8.3
-------
Table 5
Interstitial Water Chemistry
at Primary Stations
(Surficial Sediment Grab Samples)
A. Howard Bay
Date
June
June
July
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Sept
Sept
Oct.
lee.
Apr.
Kay
June
June
July
Aug.
Aug.
Sept
Sept
Oct.
Jan.
Mar.
Apr.
June
July
Mote
12,
25,
10,
14,
20,
27,
.11,
.25,
23,
10,
2,
7,
3,
12,
16,
5,
27,
. 9,
.30,
21,
13,
26,
27,
3,
7,
1968
1968
1968
1968
19G3
1963
196 8
19G3
19C8
1968
19C9
1909
1969
1969
1959
10C-9
19G9
1969
1959
1909
19/0
19/0
1970
1970
1970
Ortho-P
2.9
6.2
6.2
9.0
10.5
9.5
8.5
7.0
8.5
7.9
7.1
.72.
.32
6.0
130
.64
1.8
2.6
4.6
' 6.4
1.3
3.0
5.5
4.0
4.0
: Concn-fitrations
TSP
3.1
6.2
6.2
9.0
10.5
9.5
9.0
7.2
8.5
11.2
1.4
.40'
6.0
.45
.64
1.8
8.0
4.6
6.4
1.5
3.2
5.3
4.0
Cond
.525
704
658
893
1076
939
1008
889
1022
726
944
386
188
775
148
244
426
462
596
761
457
511
N-KH3
30
46
39
54
86
67
85
48
64
4.0
2.3
38.5
3.6
8.8
22
30
58
16
20
648 40
469
.562
expressed in
20
•ng/1.
N-TKjel
30
63
86
123
72
66
3.9
40.8
6.1
8.2
27
35
69
17
19
38
22
Alk.
234
325
452
§59
450
165
85
362
65
88
209
283
189
255
319
231
Total
Hardness
155
144
189
203
207
189
128
60
192
126
123
Sol.
Silica
46
54
57
96
91
97
63
42
38
31
56
37
29
48
50
48
43
46
50
48
Total Total Fe Total P
Carbon SNOG-" pH 2 dry wt % dry wt
59 10 7.5 1.29 .088
75 11 ' 7.4
15 7.8
117 7.7
141 19 8.1 1.10 ,058
7.9
8.1
7.7
7.7 1.20 .064
8.0
106 12 7.2 LA:? .116
' 7.7 054
8.0
7.9
7.9
7.9
7.7 . 1.40 .076
7.5 1.35-- .064
7.5
7.2
53 13 7.2
72 20 6.8
7.1
7.3
7.7
Total Fe and P determined, on dried sample.
-------
Tables (Cont'ci)
B. Outlet
CO
Date
June 25,
Aug. 27,
Sept. 24,
Feb. 6,
Apr. 2,
May 7,
June 3,
July 16,
Aug. 5,
Aug. 28,
Sept. 9,
Sept. 30,
Oct. 21,
Jan. 13,
Feb. 24,
Mar. 26,
Apr. 27,
June 3,
July 7,
Ortho-P
1968
1968
1968
1969
1969
1969
1969
1969
1969
1969
1969
1969
1369
1970
1970
1970
1970
1970
1970
.06
.03
1.8,
.45
.52
.12
.53
.20
.26
.21
.23
.10
1.3
.06
.04
.05
.11
.10
TSP
.16
.05
1.9
.45
i.o
.18
.55
.26
.41
.32
.26
.20
1.3
.10
.14
.13
.21
"Cond
138
221
209
317
204
211
107
165
130
129
134
U9
H5
3&8
121
124
121
• KJ9
156
N-NH3 . -N-TKjel
24
22
5.5
8.1
2.1
6.6
5.0
1.9
2.3
23
2.6
1.9
1.7
1.76
22
7.8
9.9
3'2.
8.9*
5.0
6
4.8
5.4
3.3-
3.9
3.1
3.1
3.7
Total
All:. Hardness
60 40
102 9
14
95 50
44 35
71
55
57 39
50
16*'
56
61
£6 33
64 39
Sol . Total
Silica Carbon
27 19
78 37
40 27
40
33
44
36
• 48
42
44 60
33 .34
31 22
26
25
Total Fe
SNOC pH % dry wt
6 7
7 8
7
7
6 6
7
8
7
7
7
7
'8
7
11 7
6 6
7 6
7
6
8
.4 1.35
.1
.8 1.3
.3
.7 1.70
.7
.2
.9
.8
.8 1.50
.9 1.55.
.1
.5
.0 1.60
.4
.7
.3
.6
.0
Total P
% dry -wt
.045
.040
.080
.072
.070
.052
.086
-------
Table 5 (Cont'd)
C. Buck Island
t Date
June 12,
June 25,
Aug. 20,
Sept.ll,
Sept. 24,
Oct. 23,
.Nov. 6,
Nov. 19,
Apr. 2,
May 7,
June 3,
June 12,
July 16,
Aug. 5,
Aug. 27,
Sept. 9,
Sept. 30,
Oct. 21,
Feb. 24,
Mar. 26,
Apr. 27,
June 3,
July 7,
1968
1958
1968
1068
1968
1968
1968
1963
1969
1969
1969.
1969
19G9
1CG9
1%9
1%9
19G9
1969
1970
1970
1970
1970
1970
Ortho-P
.07
.11
.08
.07
.75
.58
.31
.05
.14
.12
.30
.13
.13
.21
.16
.20
.10
.03
.04
-.05
.08 -
.02
TSP
.15,
.27
.21
.17
.75
.62
.37
.12
.36
.21
.36
.21
.24
.40
.37
.59
.21
.16
.14
.07
.22
Cond
124
191
133
191
276
178
187
132
137
134
116
122
117
11&
121
129
120
124
120
•135
147
N-N»3
1.6
9
8.5
6.2
5.2
2.3
2.0
2.4
2.2
1.8
2.8
2.0
1.9
1.3
1.9
1.4
1.3
1.4
N-TKJel
10.7
10.4
9.6
5.4
4.4
5.5
4.5
3.9
4.1
4.8
4.4
6.0
3.7
3.5
2.5
2.6
3.2
Alk.
56
79
82
97
60
58
62
49
54
46
54
61
60
57
64
Total
Hardness
35
47
37
76
65
38
38
'50
34
42
Sol.
Silica
26
72
49
51
55
34
36
36
38
8
36
40
44
40
33
33
27
28
Total Total Fe
Carbon SNOC pH % dry wt
.98
22 6 6.7
37 13 7.4
6.9 .90
26 19 7.4 1.22
33 6
8.2
31 11 6.4 1.35
7.7
7.7
7.8
7.8
7.9
7.9 1.25.
7.9 1.35
8.2
7.4
6.6
20 5 6.6
7.7
7.4
7.2
Total P
% dry wt
.033
.026
.060
.065
.062
.058
-------
N
1 i • i
0246
KILOMETERS
UPPER KLAMATH
BARE ISLAND
0
OUTLET^
Figure 1. Upper Klamath Lake and Station Locations
Ui
-------
N
MILES
2
I
f
r I ' 1^1
0246
KILOMETERS
4
I
18.5
Figure 2. Thickness of Recent Sediments. Numbers are the
distance in meters from the lake surface to the
bottom of the unconsolidated layer.
-------
SECCHI DISC
TOTAL-P
LAKE
WATER
ORTHO-P
l I l I I
X
£80
QL
CO
2
i
60
2
.40
z
*
i-
20
I I
INTERSTITIAL
WATER
ft
AMMONIA-N
A -I
A H
TKN
l i i
I I
J I
TSP
i i i
v SO N OIJ F M A M J J A S 0 N DIJ F M A M J
£V 1967 I 1968 I 1969
Figure 3. Chemistry of Lake Water and Interstitial Water, 1968-69.
Coward Bay
1*3
-------
E
o
O
I
O
a 100
10
8
o 6
o
5 4
0
20
18
16
T 1 1 1 1 1
Z
UJ
tf)
UJ
tr
Q.
z
I
Q.
(ICE)Q
- V
1 I . . . .p 1 I 1 .
§1
CD <
Z UJ
£t
< _J
°°WD
U SECCHI DISC
1 i i | i I | i i i i
i i I 1
UJ
DENSE
VERY DEN
zz
si
o°°
1 1 1 1
111!
UJ
in
z
UJ
Q
Z
I
0.
1 1 1 1
I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I 1 I I I
Xh-Ck^ ^ LAKE WATER
"-•SNOC
-!
-------
o
O
5 0
o
o
UJ
1^
UJ
o
_l
o
-------
SELECTED WATER
RESOURCES ABSTRACTS
INPUT TRANSACTION FORM
1. Report .^
3. Accession No.
w
4. Title
SEDIMENTS AND SEDIMENT-WATER NUTRIENT INTERCHANGE
IN UPPER KLAMATH LAKE, OREGON
7. Aulhot(s)
W. D. SANVILLE, C. F. POWERS and A. R. GAHLER
EUTROPHICATION AND LAKE RESTORATION BRANCH
PACIFIC NORTHWEST ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LABORATORY
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
CORVALLIS. OREGON 97330
ENVIRONMENTAL^PROTECTION AGENCY
5. Rupert I>ate
6.
S. Performing Organization
Report No.
10. Project No.
1?
15. Supplementary Notes
1.1. Contract/Grant No.
3 3. Type of Report and
Period Cowfed
Environmental Protection Agency report number t EPA-660/3-7U-015 ,
August
16. Abstract
Upper Klamath Lake, a very large, shallow lake 1n south-central Oregon, has a
history of nuisance blue-green algae blooms, predominantly Aphanlzomenon flos-aquae.
Lake water and sediment Interstitial water chemistry were monitored during 1968 and
1969, and for a short time In 1970. Nutrient concentrations In Interstitial water of
sediment exposed to direct agricultural drainage were several orders of magnitude
greater than 1n cases where sediments were not so located. Nutrient concentrations
showed considerable seasonal variation 1n both Interstitial and lake waters. Variations
In lake and Interstitial waters frequently, but not always, exhibited Inverse
relationships. The larger fluctuations appeared to correlate with density of
A. flos-aquae.
Although strong evidence of biological uptake of sedimentary nutrients
was found, dredging of the lake would probably not be effective as a restorative
measure because of the high nutrient concentrations present at depth 1n the sediment.
17a. Descriptors
"sediments, *nutr1ents, algal blooms,vater quality,
eutrophlcation, agricultural chemicals.
17b. Identifiers
*Upper Klamath Lake
17c. COWRR Field & Group
18. Availability
19. Security Class.
(Scportl
20. fiscoriry Class.
(Page)
21. Mo.'of
Pages
Send To:
WATER RESOURCES SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION CENTER
U*. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
WASMIIMTON. O.C. M*4Q
Abstractor C. F.
Institution
Pacific NW Environmental Research Lab
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1974— 582-415/125
------- |