The carbon and nitrogen composition of suspended particulate matter in Lake Erie, selected tributaries, and its outflow

Abstract

Since their introduction to Lake Erie, dreissenid mussels may have reengineered the cycling of nutrients in the lake so that the nearshore benthic community intercepts, retains, and recycles greater quantities of nutrients. This study traces particulate matter on a basin scale by characterizing the chemical composition (POC and PN concentrations, POC/PN mass ratios, δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) of suspended particulate matter in Lake Erie, three tributary inflows, and the lake outflow between May and October, 2002. The data are used to 1) determine the relative contributions of allochthonous and autochthonous sources to suspended particulate matter, 2) identify possible sources of suspended particulate matter, and 3) compare suspended particulate matter in the eastern basin of Lake Erie with that in the central and western basins. Mean POC concentrations range from 175 to 4494 µg/L and mean PN concentrations range from 33 to 812 µg/L in this system. Mean POC/PN mass ratios are similar across all sampling locations, ranging between 4. 5 and 6. 9, and indicate that suspended particulate matter at these sites is mainly derived from autochthonous sources, particularly plankton. The ranges of δ¹³C (-34 to -22 ?) and δ¹⁵N (1 to 12 ?) identify terrestrial plants and soil matter, aquatic macrophytes, phytoplankton, and sewage as possible sources of suspended particulate matter at all sites. Plankton is probably the dominant source of suspended particulate matter at each site, with smaller contributions from allochthonous and other autochthonous sources. Significant differences in the concentration and isotope data between inflow and lake or outflow sites indicate that tributary inflows may receive greater contributions from terrestrial plants and soils and aquatic macrophytes than the lake and outflow. δ¹⁵N signatures also identify animal manure as a possible source of suspended particulate matter at the inflows. PN concentrations and δ¹⁵N signatures suggest that the shallowest nearshore sites close to Peacock Point in the eastern basin receive PN from a source that is not present at the other eastern basin sites or at the sites in the central and western basins. This source may be related to dreissenid mussels at these nearshore sites recycling nitrogen back into the water column.