Utility of Soluble Reactive Phosphorus Measurements in Great Lakes Surveillance Programs: a Summary

Abstract

This report summarizes the findings and conclusions of a special workshop convened by the National Water Research Institute at Burlington, Ontario, to review differences in opinion regarding the utility and continuation of soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) measurements in the Great Lakes surveillance programs. SRP measurements were discussed taking into account recent developments in understanding the role of phosphorus in bacterial and algal nutrition, phosphorus utilization, and phosphorus turnover times. The workshop concluded that SRP is an acceptable measure of dissolved bioavailable phosphorus when concentrations are significantly above detection limit, and recommended continuation of SRP measurements on surveillance cruises until a better alternative is developed.