Effects of submerged macrophytes on sediment suspension and NH4-N release under hydrodynamic conditions

Aquatic vegetation affects sediment suspension and nutrient release by changing the flow structure. Experiments on the influence of submerged vegetation on flow structure, sediment suspension, and NH4-N release were carried in a flume with natural submerged vegetation. Turbulence characteristics in the vegetation section were measured using a three-dimensional acoustic Doppler velocimeter. The effects of submerged vegetation on bed shear stress (τb), sediment suspension, and NH4-N release were analyzed. Results show that with vegetation, bed shear stress is reduced by about 20% – 80%, which, in turn, reduces sediment suspension. The impact of submerged vegetation on sediment suspension and NH4-N release should be considered along with flow intensity. When the flow Reynolds number is relatively small, the submerged vegetation is quite capable of inhibiting sediment suspension and reducing NH4-N release, but when the Reynolds number reaches a certain value, the presence of aquatic plants exacerbates sediment suspension and promotes NH4-N release. Results also reveal that a highly significant positive correlation exists between NH4-N concentration and water turbidity in both vegetated and non-vegetated channels.