Control of phosphorus release from sediment by the combined use of Elodea nuttallii, hydrous ferric oxide, zeolite and calcite: Efficiency, mechanism and response of bacterial communities

Abstract

The effectiveness of Elodea nuttallii combined with a mixture of hydrous ferric oxide, zeolite and calcite (HZC) to reduce the internal loading of phosphorus (P) from sediment and its mechanism were studied, and the effect of Elodea nuttallii combined with HZC on the composition and function of the microbial communities in the surface sediment was also investigated. The results showed that the combination utilization of Elodea nuttallii and HZC can decrease the risk of phosphorus liberation from sediment to the overlying water, and the controlling efficiency of Elodea nuttallii combined with HZC was higher than that of Elodea nuttallii or HZC alone. The passivation of labile P measured by diffusive gradient in thin film device and mobile P played a crucial role in the control of internal P loading from sediment by the combined Elodea nuttallii + HZC treatment. HZC capping had a promoting effect on the growth of Elodea nuttallii. This was beneficial to the absorption of phosphorus from sediment by Elodea nuttallii. The combined application of Elodea nuttallii and HZC not only had a certain negative effect on the diversity of bacteria in the surface sediment, but also changed the microbial compositions of the surface sediment at the levels of phylum and genus. However, the microbial communities in the surface sediment still can perform good ecological function. The above results suggest that the combined application of Elodea nuttallii and HZC has a high potential in the management of internal P loading from sediment.