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Phosphorus Loading from Urban Stormwater Runoff as a Factor in Lake Eutrophication: I. Theoretical Considerations and Qualitative Aspects¹

ABSTRACT

A theoretical fractionation of urban runoff phosphorus (P) according to its chemical mobility and potential biological impact is presented and the P fractions feasible for routine analysis established. Urban runoff P from two separate storm sewer systems draining residential areas in the Lake Wingra basin (Madison, Wis.) was characterized in detail. Flow-weighted mean concentrations of dissolved inorganic P (P_i) for individual runoff events ranged from 0.10 to 2.11 mg P/liter and generally comprized 79% of the total dissolved P (P_t), allowing optimization of routine P characterization by the determination of dissolved P_i (or dissolved P_t) and total P. Flow-weighted mean concentrations of total particulate P (P_t) ranged from 0.14 to 2.37 mg P/liter. However, while the composition of the particulate P_t at the lower concentrations was widely variable, at the higher concentrations particulate P_t was constituted mainly of organic P (P_o). Flow-weighted mean concentrations of dissolved P_i were more consistently correlated at a significant level with particulate P_t and particulate P_o than with particulate P_i. The higher concentrations of dissolved and particulate P were associated with leaf and elm fruit fall, in the fall and spring, respectively, and with longer dry periods immediately before runoff events. A significant proportion (35 to 50%) of the particulate P_t occurring during the first flush and high flow phases of runoff events would remain suspended in the lake photic zone for several days. The upper limit for potentially available P in urban runoff can be given by dissolved P_i (or dissolved P_t) plus 0.25 x particulate P_t, for the watersheds studied.

Key Words: orthophosphate • particulate P • particulate organic P • particulate inorganic P • flow-weighted means • hydrographic stages • settling rates • sampling optimization

¹ Contribution from the Dep. of Soil Science, Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison. Research supported by the Eastern Deciduous Forest Biome, IBP, funded by the Natl. Sci. Found. under Interagency Agreement AG-199, 40-193-69 with the Atomic Energy Commission—Oak Ridge Natl. Lab.

² Formerly Research Associate, now Research Associate, Washington Univ., St. Louis, Mo.; Professor of Soil Science, Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison; formerly graduate research assistant, now Research Soil Scientist, Univ. of California, Riverside; and formerly Associate Professor, now Professor Soil Science, Massey Univ., Palmerston North, New Zealand, respectively.

Received for publication March 15, 1979.