Decrease in macrofauna density increases the sediment phosphorus release and maintains the high phosphorus level of water column in Lake Taihu: A case study on Grandidierella taihuensis

Internal phosphorus (P) loading can increase the P level in the water column and further sustains cyanobacterial blooms. This study focused on the role of benthic fauna bioturbation in affecting the sediment P release and the P level of water column in a eutrophic lake, Lake Taihu. The macrofauna density decreased from 4766.56 +/- 10541.80 ind/m(2) in 2007 to 345 +/- 447.63 ind/m(2) in 2020 due to the frequent bottom-water hypoxia in Lake Taihu. The reduced macrofauna density majorly resulted from Grandidierella taihuensis, Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri, and Tanypus chinensis larvae, and their total density decreased by approximately 97% in 2020 compared to 2007. G. taihuensis, one of the major benthic faunas, was further used as a representative to investigate the effects of bioturbation on sediment P release using high-resolution sampling and imaging techniques. The results show that G. taihuensis can increase the O-2 penetration depth by more than 20 mm through bio-irrigation, and causes the redox conditions in burrows and surrounding sediments to change dramatically within a few minutes due to the intermittent ventilation. Subsequent oxidation of the soluble Fe(II) led to the formation of Fe-oxide bound P in the surface sediments, thereby increasing the P retention in the sediments. When the G. taihuensis density was 1563 ind/m(2) at the sampling site, approximately 0.12 g m(-2) yr(-1) P can be retained in sediments. As previous studies have shown that L. hoffmeisteri and T. chinensis played a similar role in increasing the P retention in sediments through their bioturbation activities, the sharp decline in benthic fauna density and burrowing ac-tivities in Lake Taihu should be an important reason for maintaining the high P level in the water column by decreasing the P retention in sediments.

Automated summary

This study focused on the role of benthic fauna bioturbation in affecting sediment P release and the P level in a eutrophic lake. The results showed that benthic fauna can increase the penetration depth of oxygen and promote the oxidation of soluble iron, leading to increased P retention in sediments. The decline in benthic fauna density and activity may be an important factor in maintaining high P levels in the water column.