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River–reservoir transition zones are nitrogen fixation hot spots regardless of ecosystem trophic state

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Abstract

Reservoir hydrodynamics may create heterogeneity in nitrogen (N) fixation along the riverine–transition–lacustrine gradient. In particular, N fixation may be highest in reservoir transition zones where phytoplankton biomass is also expected to be relatively high. We investigated spatial patterns of N fixation in three Texas (USA) reservoirs of varying trophic state. We sampled 6–9 stations along the longitudinal axes of the major inflows and measured N fixation using the acetylene reduction method. Total N, total phosphorus (P), and algal biomass (as chlorophyll-a) were also measured at each sample location. Measurable N fixation was observed in all reservoirs and was light-dependent. Nitrogen fixation was consistently low in the riverine zone, highest in the transition zone, and low in lacustrine zone of all reservoirs. The absolute magnitude of N fixation was similar in two relatively unproductive reservoirs and an order of magnitude higher in the eutrophic reservoir. A similar pattern was observed in mean nutrient and chlorophyll-a concentrations among reservoirs. However, chlorophyll-a concentrations were highest in the riverine zone of each reservoir and exhibited a monotonic decrease in the downstream direction. Maximum chlorophyll-a concentrations did not coincide with maximum N fixation rates. Results of our study indicate that reservoir transition zones can be biogeochemical hot spots for planktonic N fixation, regardless of trophic state. Therefore, transition zones may be the most at risk locations for water quality degradation associated with increased reservoir productivity. Water quality managers and aquatic scientists should consider the spatial heterogeneity imposed by unique hydrodynamic controls in reservoir ecosystems.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by a grant from the City of Waco to R. Doyle and from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to B. Brooks and R. Doyle. The Texas Institute for Applied Environmental Research (TIAER) and TCEQ provided long-term nitrate concentration data on reservoirs. The authors thank S. Williams, E. Martin, and B. Fulton for their assistance with field and laboratory efforts.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, 72701, USA

    J. Thad Scott

  2. US Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, MS, 39180, USA

    Jacob K. Stanley

  3. Center for Reservoir and Aquatic Systems Research, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76798, USA

    Robert D. Doyle, Margaret G. Forbes & Bryan W. Brooks

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  1. J. Thad Scott
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  2. Jacob K. Stanley
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  3. Robert D. Doyle
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  4. Margaret G. Forbes
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  5. Bryan W. Brooks
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Correspondence to J. Thad Scott.

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Handling editor: Luigi Naselli-Flores

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Scott, J.T., Stanley, J.K., Doyle, R.D. et al. River–reservoir transition zones are nitrogen fixation hot spots regardless of ecosystem trophic state. Hydrobiologia 625, 61–68 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-008-9696-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-008-9696-2

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