Evaluation of efficiencies of diffuse allochthonous and autochthonous nutrient input control in restoration of a highly eutrophic lake

Abstract

Mogan Lake is an important recreational area for Metropolitan Ankara-Turkey. It is a shallow eutrophic lake with a dense growth of macrophytes. The main contributors of nutrients and other pollutants to the lake are the creeks carrying the runoff water from the watershed and upland farming land, in addition to the domestic and industrial wastewater discharges from a nearby town and industries. Hydrodynamic and water quality modeling techniques were used to determine the optimum management schemes for the lake restoration and diffuse pollution control. Management scenarios were devised and tested to control allochthonous and autochthonous nutrient inputs to the lake. Phosphorus and nitrogen load reductions were the main test elements for the control of allochthonous nutrient inputs. The scenario analysis revealed that reduction of phosphorus and nitrogen loads from diffused sources will have a marginal effect on controlling eutrophication if macrophyte growth is left uncontrolled. Scenarios employing macrophyte harvesting and sediment dredging have been evaluated for autochthonous nutrient input control. Sediment dredging alone has been shown to yield the most favorable conditions for water quality improvement in Mogan Lake. Further, control of diffuse pollution was an essential final step to achieve an acceptable long-term sustainable water quality improvement in the lake.