Recent Sedimentation and Resuspension of Organic Matter in Eutrophic Lake Esrom, Denmark

Sedimentation of freshly produced organic matter and resuspended surface sediment in central Lake Esrom was estimated to be 635 g dry weight m-2yr-1. Resuspension was assumed to occur during the period of fall circulation and contributed 155 g dry matter m-2yr-l. True sedimentation supplied approximately 480 g dry matter or 215 g organic matter m-2yr-1 to the profundal area of Lake Esrom. Phytoplankton primary production measured during the sedimentation study amounted to 185 g C m-2yr-1. If 70% of this material were mineralized in the water column and sedimentation occurred predominantly in the profundal zone, an estimate of 275 g organic matter m-2yr-1 would leave the euphotic zone. This value is in reasonable agreement with the observed sedimentation rate.