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Role of the polychaete Neanthes succinea in phosphorus regeneration from sediments in the Salton Sea, California

  • Saline Water
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Abstract

The Salton Sea currently suffers from several well-documented water quality problems associated with high nutrient loading. However, the importance of phosphorus regeneration from sediments has not been established. Sediment phosphorus regeneration rates may be affected by benthic macroinvertebrate activity (e.g. bioturbation and excretion). The polychaete Neanthes succinea (Frey and Leuckart) is the dominant benthic macroinvertebrate in the Salton Sea. It is widely distributed during periods of mixing (winter and spring), and inhabits only shallow water areas following development of anoxia in summer. The contribution of N. succinea to sediment phosphorus regeneration was investigated using laboratory incubations of cores under lake temperatures and dissolved oxygen concentrations typical of the Salton Sea. Regeneration rates of soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) were lowest (−0.23–1.03 mg P m−2 day−1) under saturated oxygen conditions, and highest (1.23–4.67 mg P m−2 day−1) under reduced oxygen levels. N. succinea most likely stimulated phosphorus regeneration under reduced oxygen levels via increased burrow ventilation rates. Phosphorus excretion rates by N. succinea were 60–70% more rapid under reduced oxygen levels than under saturated or hypoxic conditions. SRP accounted for 71–80% of the dissolved phosphorus excreted under all conditions. Whole-lake SRP regeneration rates predicted from N. succinea biomass densities are highest in early spring, when the lake is mixing frequently and mid-lake phytoplankton populations are maximal. Thus, any additional phosphorus regenerated from the sediments at that time has potential for contributing to the overall production of the lake.

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Author notes

  1. Brandon K. Swan

    Present address: Marine Science Program, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106-6150, USA

  2. James M. Watts

    Present address: Department of Biology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287-1501, USA

  3. Kristen M. Reifel

    Present address: Graduate Program in Marine Environmental Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-0371, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology and Center for Inland Waters, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, 92182-4614, USA

    Brandon K. Swan, James M. Watts, Kristen M. Reifel & Stuart H. Hurlbert

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  1. Brandon K. Swan
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Correspondence to Brandon K. Swan.

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Guest Editor: John M. Melack

Saline Water and their Biota

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Swan, B.K., Watts, J.M., Reifel, K.M. et al. Role of the polychaete Neanthes succinea in phosphorus regeneration from sediments in the Salton Sea, California. Hydrobiologia 576, 111–125 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-006-0298-6

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