The Control of a Small Dam in Nutrient Inputs to a Hypertrophic Estuary in a Mediterranean Climate

• DOI: 10.1007/s11270-006-9253-4
• Publication Date: 2006-12-19T05:31:49Z
• Authors: Antonio Avilés; F. Xavier Niell
• Keywords: 0106 biological sciences; 13. Climate action; 15. Life on land; 01 natural sciences; 6. Clean water

A two-year study was carried out in the lower part of the Palmones River to describe the role of a small dam controlling the nutrient fluxes to the estuary. Results showed an important spatial heterogeneity in the nutrient content and water properties of lowland catchment due to the effects of the small dam and the effluents of a sewage treatment work. Taking into account the values of hydraulic retention time, the dam could be considered as an optimally dimensioned pre-dam. Therefore, it removed on average more than 25% of total phosphorus (TP) while no net removal was obtained for TN during the studied period. Palmones River exported 11.3 TonsP year−1 of TP and 72.1 TonsN year−1 of TN to the estuary showing important seasonal differences. Less than 10% from the total amount of nutrient was exported during low flow conditions, while in four months with important flooding events, the percentage of total nitrogen exported exceeded 64%.