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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 reference concentrations and trophic state boundaries in subtropical reservoirs

Full text
Author(s):
Cunha, D. G. F. [1] ; Ogura, A. P. [1] ; Calijuri, M. D. C. [1]
Total Authors: 3
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Engn Sao Carlos, Dept Hydraul & Sanit Engn, BR-13566590 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 1
Document type: Journal article
Source: WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY; v. 65, n. 8, p. 1461-1467, 2012.
Web of Science Citations: 14
Abstract

Nutrient criteria as reference concentrations and trophic state boundaries are necessary for water management worldwide because anthropogenic eutrophication is a threat to the water uses. We compiled data on total phosphorus (TP), nitrogen (TN) and chlorophyll a (Chl a) from 17 subtropical reservoirs monitored from 2005-2009 in the Sao Paulo State (Brazil) to calculate reference concentrations through the trisection method (United States Environmental Protection Agency). By dividing our dataset into thirds we presented trophic state boundaries and frequency curves for the nutrient levels in water bodies with different enrichment conditions. TP and TN baseline concentrations (0.010 mg/L and 0.350 mg/L, respectively) were bracketed by ranges for temperate reservoirs available in the literature. We propose trophic state boundaries (upper limits for the oligotrophic category: 0.010 mg TP/L, 0.460 mg TN/L and 1.7 mu g Chl a/L; for the mesotrophic: 0.030 mg TP/L, 0.820 mg TN/L and 9.0 mu g Chl a/L). Through an example with a different dataset (from the Itupararanga Reservoir, Brazil), we encouraged the use of frequency curves to compare data from individual monitoring efforts with the expected concentrations in oligotrophic, mesotrophic and eutrophic regional systems. Such analysis might help designing recovery programs to reach targeted concentrations and mitigate the undesirable eutrophication symptoms in subtropical freshwaters. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 08/55636-9 - Contribution to carbon cycle in Itupararanga reservoir as subsidy for sustainability in Sorocaba watershed, São Paulo, Brazil
Grantee:Maria do Carmo Calijuri
Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
FAPESP's process: 11/12278-8 - Reference concentrations for nutrients and metals in rivers and reservoirs in São Paulo State: a contribution to the integrated management of water resources
Grantee:Allan Pretti Ogura
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation