Effects of sediment and its re-suspension on the growth of Vallisneria asiatica Miki

• Published in: Journal of China University of Mining and Technology Vol. 18; no. 1; pp. 144 - 148
• Main Authors: LEI, Ze-xiang, XIE, Yi-fa, XU, De-lan, LIU, Zheng-wen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.03.2008; Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Technology, Guangzhou 510225, China; Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, China; Institute of Hydrobiology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China%Institute of Hydrobiology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China%Department of Environment Engineering, Xuzhou Engineering College, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221008, China%Institute of Hydrobiology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
• Subjects: re-suspension; sediment; submersed macrophytes; 富营养; 环境保护; submersed macrophytes; re-suspension; sediment
• ISSN: 1006-1266
• DOI: 10.1016/S1006-1266(08)60031-0

Aquatic macrophytic growth and its distribution in eutrophic lakes are described in relation to its sediment type and irradiance. Hence, it is necessary to characterize the response of macrophytic growth to lake sediment and its re-suspension. We conducted two independent experiments to measure the effects of sediment and its re-suspension on the growth of Vallisneria asi- atica Miki. Based on our study, we conclude that the amount of total biomass of V. asiatica is related, in important ways, to the type of sediment and its re-suspension. According to our comparison, plants and biomass cultured on lake sediments are 2.1 times and 1.5 times greater than that on brown clay from nearby places beside Lake Taihu. The number of plants and the amount of biomass in a turbid water column are smaller than those in a clear water column. The results indicate that the nutrient-rich lake sediments have promoted the growth of V. asiatica, while the re-suspension of the sediment leads to a high turbid level and low light penetration which has a negative impact on the growth of V. asiatica.