Total Phosphorus
 

Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for all life forms. Phosphorus occurs naturally in rocks and other mineral deposits. Total Phosphorus (TP) exists in three forms, orthophosphate, metaphosphate and organically bound phosphate. These forms of phosphorus occur in living and decaying plant and animal remains, as free ions or weakly chemically bounded in aqueous system, chemically bounded to sediments and soils, or as mineralized compounds in soil, rocks, and sediments. In general, phosphorus forms a strong attachment to soil particles, and is usually found in high concentrations where severe soil erosion is occurring. In High Island Creek Watershed, phosphorus loading is attributed mostly to agricultural runoff and stream bank and gully erosion. In both cases, the phosphorus input is associated with soil erosion.


  
Phosphorus-enriched stream are commonplace in the Minnesota River Basin. Elevated phosphorus levels stimulate algal growth and often leads to undesirable conditions. An overabundance of algae and sediment contributes to increased turbidity and reduced light penetration. Water clarity is greatly reduced under these conditions. When the algal cells die, their decomposition consumes large amounts of dissolved oxygen. Lower dissolved oxygen can impair the stream's ability to support aquatic life. Some outbreaks of highly elevated algal growth termed algal blooms, released toxins into the water. Instances of this have occurred within the Minnesota River Basin and resulted in the death of animals (including pets) that ingested these toxins. (State of the Minnesota River Water Quality Summary 2000-2005).

According to the State of the Minnesota River Report of 2000 to 2005, High Island Creek has one of the highest average flow weighed mean concentration in the basin at .44 milligrams per liter.
Buffalo Creek


Total Phosphorus
 


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