EFFECTS OF AIR DRYING ON THE SEDIMENT OF LAKE AND OVERLYING WATER.

The effects of sediments air-drying on the overlying water quality of eutrophic DongHu Lake were evaluated. The results show that drying could decrease the nutrient content in the sediment except organic phosphorus, and organic matter exhibited the highest reduction (35.85%). Compared with the control, significant reductions of total nitrogen (3 1.14%), ammonia (42.59%), total phosphorus (53.85%), and chemical oxygen demand (46.5 1%) in overlying water above the sediment after drying were observed. Based on the findings, sediment drying has the potential to be a useful tool for controlling internal loading release and improving water quality for small eutrophic lakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]