Sources of phosphorus inputs from the atmosphere and their significance to oligotrophic lakes

Murphy, Thomas J.

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/90387 Copy

Description

Title

Sources of phosphorus inputs from the atmosphere and their significance to oligotrophic lakes

Author(s)

Murphy, Thomas J.

Contributor(s)

DePaul University

Issue Date

1974-09

Keyword(s)

• Water resource development--Illinois
• Water resource development
• Water quality
• Phosphorus
• Precipitation
• Particulate matter
• Oligotrophic lakes
• Lake Michigan
• Atmospheric inputs
• Nutrients
• Smoke

Geographic Coverage

Illinois (state)

Abstract

Precipitation in the Chicago area was analyzed and found to contain .034 mg/l. of phosphorus with about one half of this present as orthophosphate. Because of the small amounts of phosphorus needed to stimulate the growth of organisms in bodies of water which are phosphorus limited, these inputs from the atmosphere are important to many natural bodies of water. From one-fifth to one-third of the phosphorus going into Lake Michigan is from precipitation. The sources of this phosphorus were investigated and found to be almost all sources of particulate matter. With the exception of emissions from the fertilizer industry these were found to contain a relatively consistent 0.1 percent phosphorus. Since the discharge of particulates to the atmosphere are being controlled, contributions of phosphorus to bodies of water from the atmosphere would also be controlled.

Publisher

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Water Resources Center

Type of Resource

text

Language

en

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/90387

Sponsor(s)/Grant Number(s)

• U.S. Department of the Interior
• U.S. Geological Survey

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 1974 held by Thomas J. Murphy

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