Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID SC_2024_O'Shields

Sediment Source-Sink Analysis to Inform Phosphorous and Sediment Management Plan for a Eutrophic Reservoir in South Carolina

Institute: South Carolina
Year Established: 2024 Start Date: 2024-09-01 End Date: 2025-08-31
Total Federal Funds: $25,443 Total Non-Federal Funds: $32,061

Principal Investigators: Steven O'Shields

Project Summary: Lake Whelchel is a 200-acre eutrophic reservoir in South Carolina that has experienced harmful algal blooms and cyanotoxin levels that exceed state standards. The limiting nutrient of concern is phosphorous (P). This study's primary goal is to determine whether lake sediment is acting as a P source or sink both temporally and spatially. Sediment cores and ambient water samples will be collected at various sites in winter and summer, and equilibrium phosphorus concentration (EPC) will be estimated at different sediment depths for source/sink analysis at each site. If sediment is a P source, new approaches may be necessary for P management, such as dredging or adding chemicals (e.g., iron, alum, or calcium) that enhance P sorption capacity. Through our analysis, we aim to contribute to the understanding of nutrient dynamics in shallow lakes and inform effective lake management strategies.