Chapter 21: Fine sediment resuspension and nutrient transport in Newnans Lake, FL.

The nature of fine sediment resuspension and nutrient transport was examined for Newnans Lake in north-central Florida. Physical and water quality parameters were monitored over a period of 8 months in the lake and the inflow and outflow streams. Suspended-sediment concentration (SSC) response to wind was found to occur over a wide frequency band, with spectral peaks that seemingly correlate with lunar motion. On a time-mean basis, wind energy maintains the particulate matter as a benthic suspended-sediment layer with a mean height of about 0.80 m and SSC of about 70 mg/L. The suspended-sediment mass per unit bed area is less than 1 mm thick bed layer, indicating that there is little interaction between the ∼2 m thick muck in the lake and the water column. Nutrient balance is simplified because dissolved nutrient loads are close or nearly equal to total loads, with minor contributions from the suspended matter. Mass balances for phosphorus and nitrogen indicate periods of days over which the lake acts both as a net exporter and a net importer of these nutrients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]