Present address: Denise A. Bruesewitz, Marine Science Institute, University of Texas at Austin, 750 Channel View Drive, Port Aransas, TX 78373, U.S.A.
1365-2427/asset/fwb_centre.gif?v=1&s=ae7d9bfdcfe324d1db318dd73ec340e9deb0f5b3)
Are geothermal streams important sites of nutrient uptake in an agricultural and urbanising landscape (Rotorua, New Zealand)?
Article first published online: 20 OCT 2011
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2427.2011.02702.x
© 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Additional Information
How to Cite
HOELLEIN, T. J., BRUESEWITZ, D. A. and HAMILTON, D. P. (2012), Are geothermal streams important sites of nutrient uptake in an agricultural and urbanising landscape (Rotorua, New Zealand)?. Freshwater Biology, 57: 116–128. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2427.2011.02702.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 29 NOV 2011
- Article first published online: 20 OCT 2011
- (Manuscript accepted 19 September 2011)
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- ecosystem function;
- eutrophication;
- nutrient spiralling;
- stream management
Summary
1. Lakes in the Rotorua region of New Zealand are affected by eutrophication from urbanisation and agricultural land use. Some lake tributaries contain geothermally influenced waters, and it is currently unknown whether geothermal tributaries are active sites of nutrient cycling or represent point sources of nutrients to the lakes.
2. Using government data sets, we characterised the physicochemical conditions of geothermal and non-geothermal streams. We then measured ecosystem metabolism and reach-scale uptake of nitrate (
), ammonium (
) and phosphate (
) in summer 2010 (n = 8 streams). Finally, we used government data to compare annual nutrient flux from geothermal and non-geothermal surface water inputs to Lake Rotoiti.
3. As expected, geothermal streams had higher temperature, conductivity and nutrient concentrations and lower pH. However, primary production, community respiration and 
uptake rates in geothermal streams were not different from those in their non-geothermal counterparts. Uptake rates of 
were higher in geothermal streams, and 
uptake was below detection in geothermal streams, probably due to the saturation by naturally high 
concentrations.
4. A comparison of Lake Rotoiti inputs suggested that geothermal streams are not significant sources of 
and 
, while geothermal inputs of 
represent an average of 46% of total 
flux from Lake Rotoiti tributaries.
5. Despite their high temperature and low pH, geothermal streams are active sites of photosynthesis, respiration and 
and 
cycling, indicating dynamic biofilm communities.
6. Management options for geothermal streams, if any, should focus on 
retention (e.g. uptake or coupled nitrification and denitrification) but could prove challenging given the persistent, naturally occurring high 
flux.