Sediment Total Phosphorus Research Articles

Phosphorus Speciation and Vertical Variation in Sediments from Lake Baihua

This paper reports a study on vertical distribution characteristics of phosphorus speciation in samples collected at four sites from Baihua Lake, based on the Standards, Measurements and Testing (SMT) programme. In this study, the total phosphorus (TP) concentrations of these sediments samples varied from 944.86 to 2591.56 mg/kg and inorganic phosphorus (IP) was the main phosphorus fraction. For this heavily contaminated sediment, the IP mainly consisted of the Fe/Al-P. The vertical variation of the phosphorus had a tendency to decrease with the depth at sites JYS and YPZ. Since the concentrations of the TP in sediments were high and the phosphorus release potential and bioavailability were significant, the lake is still facing an ecological risk.

Sedimentation and internal phosphorus loads in Krishnagiri Reservoir, India

AbstractThis study examines sedimentation rate and its consequences on the bathymetry, capacity and internal phosphorus loading of Krishnagiri Reservoir in Tamil Nadu, South India, utilizing an acoustic Doppler profiler and remote sensing data in an ArcGIS environment. There was a significant change in the reservoir bathymetry for the year 2012, compared with the 2007. The sedimentation rate was 0.818 MCM from 1960 to 1990 and 0.83 MCM over past 5 years. The present reservoir volume is 35.57 MCM, having been reduced to nearly half of its original capacity over a 55 year span, pointing to a seriously threatened lifespan. The sediment total phosphorus (TP) load spatially varied from 6.84 to 23 394 kg, depending on the sediment deposition zones. Sequential extraction indicated the dominance of phosphate fractions to be Al‐P> Fe‐P> Ca‐P> SRP, with an average TP value of 27.27 mg g−1 dry weight. Aluminium‐ (35%) and iron(25%)‐bound forms are the major sediment phosphorus fractions, suggesting temperature, pH and redox or related chemical reactions may be important means of sediment P release in Krishnagiri Reservoir. The sediment phosphorus load in Krishnagiri Reservoir is estimated to be 44.50 tons, with an average TP release of 40.97 mg m−2 (range of 10.22–70 mg m−2). The measured pore water TP concentration and calculated sediment phosphate release exhibited a linear relation. Even with a reduced external P load, the eutrophication of Krishnagiri Reservoir cannot be reduced immediately because of its high internal load and nutrient remobilization.

The Trophic State of Patagonian Argentinean Lakes and its Relationship with Depth Distribution in Sediment Phosphorus

The parameters used to determine the trophic state of a water body are: total phosphorus (TP),transparency (Secchi disk depth) and chlorophyll a. However, these parameters show strong seasonalfluctuations which may hinder the estimation of trophic state. Some authors have proposed that sediments be used as an additional tool to evaluate the trophic state of a water body. The aim of this study was to determine the depth distribution of sediment TP in relation with the lake trophic state. Nine sediment corers from water bodies located in Patagonian Region (Argentina) were studied. The nutrient concentrations in pore water and in sediments were analyzed. The results obtained showed that there is a relationship between the depth distribution of sediment TP and the trophic state for all studied environments. Two exceptions were noted to this general pattern (Lakes Caviahue and Lacar). Our findings indicate that both pore water and sediments could be considered as the best parameters to estimate the tropic state of a water body compared to the water column.

Spatiotemporal distribution and mass loadings of perfluoroalkyl substances in the Yangtze River of China

A systematic investigation into contamination profiles of eighteen perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in both surface water and sediments of Yangtze River was carried out by using high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS/MS) in summer and winter of 2013. The total concentrations of the PFASs in the water and sediment of Yangtze River ranged from 2.2 to 74.56ng/L and 0.05 to 1.44ng/g dry weights (dw), respectively. The PFAS concentrations were correlated to some selected water quality parameters such as pH, total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN) and conductivity in water, and some sediment properties, such as total organic carbon (TOC), TP, and TN in sediment. The monitoring results for the water and sediment samples showed no obvious seasonal variations. Among the selected 18 PFASs, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was the dominant PFAS compound found both in water and sediment for the two seasons with its maximum concentration of 18.03ng/L in water and 0.72ng/g in sediment, followed by perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) with its maximum concentration of 41.9ng/L in water in Wuhan, whereas the lowest concentrations of PFASs were observed at Poyang lake. The annual loadings of PFOA, perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), PFBS, perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and the total PFASs in the Yangtze River were 6.8tons, 2.2tons, 8.2tons, 0.88tons, and 20.7tons, respectively. Wuhan and Er'zhou of Hubei contributed the most amounts of PFASs into the Yangtze River. A correlation was found between some PFASs, for example PFBS and PFOS, which suggests that both of these PFASs originate from common sources in the region.

Phosphorus forms and distribution in Zhejiang coastal sediment in the East China Sea

Surface and core sediment samples were collected from Zhejiang coastal waters of the East China Sea to study phosphorus (P) forms and understand the potential release of P as well as adsorption. The sediments were extracted sequentially to determine four phosphorus fractions, and non-sequentially for total phosphorus (TP). The total concentration of phosphorus in the surface sediments ranged from 527.2 to 680.5 mg kg-1. Inorganic P was the major form and accounted for 8494% of TP. Among the four forms, P-Detrital was dominant (58.673.2%), followed by P-CDB (10.520.9%), P-Organic (6.115.9%), and P-CFA (5.916.3%). The distribution pattern of TP in the surface sediments was similar to that of P-Detrital and P-Organic, but different from P-CDB and P-CFA. A relatively high level of phosphorus was observed in estuarine sediments, reflecting the influence from terrestrial input. Phosphorus in all forms in core sediments at each station decreased with depth. In addition, potentially bio-available phosphorus accounted for 2034% of TP.

Influences of sediment properties and macrophytes on phosphorous speciation in the intertidal marsh.

Phosphorus (P) in wetlands is mainly bound to sediment in various species, which is essential to predict water column P levels. The purpose of this work is to understand the influences of sediment properties and vegetation types on P speciation. Sediments under four vegetation types in the tidal flat and offshore sandbar in Hangzhou Bay of China were collected seasonally. The rank order of P species in sediment based on concentration was exchangeable P (Exch-P) < iron/aluminum-bound P (Fe/Al-P) < organic P (Org-P) < calcium-bound P (Ca-P). Sediment total phosphorus (TP) and Fe/Al-P concentrations were lower in offshore sandbar than those of tidal flat, reflecting effects of anthropogenic contamination in the latter. Sediment particle size distribution strongly affected P speciation, as indicated by a significant correlation between them. Total phosphorus and Org-P concentrations in vegetated sediments were higher than those of bare mudflat. Additionally, there was a significant negative correlation between Ca-P and Org-P, and Fe/Al-P, indicating the presence of vegetation which may result in P speciation by converting Ca-P to soluble and active P and higher Org-P. Overall, sediment particle size distribution is the most fundamental physical property that affects P speciation, and vegetation types are important factors that influence Org-P concentration.

Aquatic Coleoptera response to environmental factors of freshwater ecosystems in Changbai Mountain, northeast China

Aquatic Coleoptera (beetles) play a key role in freshwater ecosystems and are considered as a suitable bioindicator. Despite being widely distributed in China, there are few aquatic Coleoptera-based methods to assess ecological quality and environmental conditions. Changbai Mountain, with its distinct temperate and boreal forest ecosystems, provides an excellent opportunity to explore the influence of environmental features on aquatic beetles along altitude gradients. The objectives of the study were to investigate community structure and to determine the dominant factors controlling aquatic beetles in the montane environment. Study results showed that there were 8 families, 40 genera, and 72 aquatic beetle species on Changbai Mountain, and that Dytiscidae, Hydrophilidae and Haliplidae were the dominant families. Seven sensitive species of aquatic beetles could be considered as the candidate of indicator for environmental monitoring. Canonical correspondence analysis showed that water pH, concentrations of total organic matter and total phosphorus in sediment, water conductivity and water temperature had a significant impact on the community structure of aquatic beetles, and that water pH was the most important factor. Our results suggested that water quality played a key role in species richness of aquatic beetles, and that therefore they could be considered as an indicator organism of freshwater ecosystem health.

Phosphorus algal availability and release potential in suspended and streambed sediments in relation to sediment and catchment characteristics

Both suspended and streambed sediments from two pairs of streams (intervention outlet and control outlet, and Branch 14 and Branch 15) in livestock intensive catchments were analyzed for total phosphorus (TP), algal available P (AAP), P fractions and P saturation index (PSI). The variations in sediment P characteristics associated with sediment type and study sites were investigated; and the key variables controlling the variations were explored. Relative to streambed sediments, suspended sediments had significantly higher storage of TP and AAP and greater potential to continue adsorbing P from the water column. The differences between the two groups of sediments mainly resulted from differences in sediment particle size. For both suspended and streambed sediments, concentrations of TP, AAP, organic P (Po) and inorganic P (Pi) were not significantly different between the two catchment outlets, but were significantly higher in Branch 15 than in Branch 14; PSI values were considerably higher in the control outlet than at any of the study sites within the intervention micro-catchment. Sediment properties (e.g., calcium (Ca), aluminum (Al) and organic matter (OM)) and catchment characteristics (e.g., soil M3P status and drainage area) explained 62–87% of the variations in log-transformed TP, AAP, Po, Pi and PSI in suspended sediments, with sediment properties being the main contributor. For streambed sediments, variations in P concentrations and PSI were less well explained (13–56%), and sediment OM was the most importance predictor. Forest area percentage in landscape explained limited (3%) proportion of the variations in streambed sediment P concentrations and PSI.

Predicted effects from abatement action against eutrophication in two small bays of the Baltic Sea

The Baltic Sea has abnormal algal blooms during spring and summer which are effects of high concentrations of total phosphorus (TP) and other nutrients in the surface water. Bjornofjarden (BF), a coastal area connected to the Baltic Sea, is selected for investigating whether aluminium treatment of sediments may reduce TP concentrations in the water mass. The aim of this paper is to evaluate effects from different abatement actions in two bays, BF and Nykopingsfjarden (NF). The four investigated scenarios are (1) no action, (2) reducing TP from local sources, (3) fixing TP in sediments with aluminium, and (4) decreasing TP concentrations in the outside sea. Magnitudes of different TP fluxes during the different scenarios were estimated using a dynamic mass balance model, CoastMab, which has previously been tested against data from Swedish coastal waters. Alternative actions such as aluminium treatment and reduction of TP from local sources would result in no or scant effect on the TP concentrations in the two bays according to model simulations. The only action which would result in a significant expected decrease in TP concentrations would be to decrease TP concentrations in the outside sea. It is concluded that BF and NF are not suitable for studying effects from local abatement action because of large TP fluxes from the outside sea.

Phosphorus in Antarctic surface marine sediments - chemical speciation in Admiralty Bay

AbstractThis study describes the relation of the phosphorus chemical speciation in surface sediments with input processes in Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Antarctica. The sediments were analysed with a sequential extraction for phosphorus fractionation to measure: exchangeable P (Pexch), iron oxyhydroxide bound P (P-Fe), authigenic P (Auth-P), detrital P (Detrital-P) and organic P (Porg). The study revealed that Detrital-P (39–70%) was the main sedimentary phosphorus forms and Auth-P (40–54%) was the second largest pool. The average percentage of each fraction of P followed the sequence: Detrital-P (41%) &gt; Auth-P (37%) &gt; P-Fe (12%) &gt; Porg = Pexch (5%). Spatial differences in grain size distribution were found. Silt and clay factions were predominant in the inlets, whereas sand and gravel were the main components in Central bay (unofficial name). Values were extremely low for organic carbon (&lt; 0.30%) and total nitrogen (&lt; 0.17%). Total sulfur was lower than 0.15%, except for Mackellar Inlet where values were 1%. The dominance of detrital apatite in the total sedimentary phosphorus demonstrates the importance of terrestrial inputs from ice melting in governing the abundance and speciation of sedimentary phosphorus in the Admiralty Bay sediments.

Spatial variations and distributions of phosphorus and nitrogen in bottom sediments from a typical north-temperate lake, China

Concentrations and vertical distributions of total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP) and their different forms in sediments obtained from nine locations of Lake Dalinouer in September 2008 were analyzed. The results demonstrated that TP in surface sediments ranged from 0.493 to 0.904 g/kg, and inorganic phosphorus was the main fraction of total phosphorus, ranging from 335 to 738 mg/kg. Simultaneously, the autogenetic calcium phosphorus (ACa-P) was the main fraction of inorganic phosphorus, ranging from 145.4 to 543.2 mg/kg. Vertical distribution of different phosphorus forms in different sediment cores was distinguishing, and most of them tended to increase toward the surface sediment, indicated that the phosphorus concentration was related to the humanity with a certain extent. The relationships between TP and occluded phosphorus and ACa-P were significant. Nitrogen in the sediment was composed mainly of organic nitrogen, accounting for grater than 80 % of TN. NO3 −-N was the dominate fraction of inorganic nitrogen in the surface sediment, ranging between 51 and 346 mg/kg (151.1 ± 104.4 mg/kg), and accounting for between 2.2 and 17.7 % of total sediment nitrogen (6.2 ± 5.6 %). The ratio of organic carbon and TN in sediment was in range of 6.0–25.8 and presented a tendency of lake centre >lake sides, indicating that nitrogen accumulated in the sediments from lake sides came mainly from terrestrial source and nitrogen was mainly autogenetic in lake centre. Ratio of N:P in all sampling sites was below 14, indicated that N was the limiting nutrient for algal growth in this lake.

Phosphorus Fractionation in the Sediment of a Natural Lake

Seven typical surface sediments were collected along the flow direction in the hypertrophic Qixinghu lake located in Nansi Lake Basin. The sediments were evaluated on the basis of phosphorus (P) fractionation by sequential extraction scheme. Sedimentary phosphorus were fractioned into six forms (Ex-P, Al-P, Fe-P, BD-P, Ca-P and Org-P) to reveal phosphorus removal mechanism. The rank order according to the content of P-fractions was Ca-P &gt; Org-P &gt; Al-P &gt; Fe-P &gt; Ex-P &gt; BD-P. The permanent Ca-P showed considerable contribution (41.97%-73.15%) to the sedimentary P-loads. The relative contributions of Ex-P to total sedimentary phosphorus (TP) ranged from 0.91% to 4.64%, which was positively correlated with alkaline phosphatase activity (r=0.8480). TP and Org-P were positively correlated with organic matter (OM) (r=0.8577 and r=0.9237, respectively). Total phosphorus concentration in the sediment fluctuated with changes in water quality and substrate characteristics. The high content of sedimentary metal elements and OM are contributed to the phosphorus accumulation and adsorption.

Desorption characteristics of total phosphorus and heavy metals from impervious urban surface sediments

Dry sediments were collected from one roof and two roads in the central area of Beijing. The sediments were dry and wet sieved. The concentrations of total phosphorus (TP) and heavy metals were analyzed. The highest mass proportion of the dry sediments from the roads were between 125 and 300 μm in diameter, while the roof sediments were much smaller, with 75% of the total sediment mass between 40 and 74 μm in diameter. The concentrations of TP and heavy metals in the roof sediments were much higher than in the road sediments. The concentrations of the six heavy metals investigated had a similar order for all three sampling sites, with the Zn concentration always being the highest, followed by the Mn concentration, and the Ni concentration was always the lowest. After wet sieving, 76.9% to 91% of the TP in the sediments from the three sites remained in undesorbable particulate form, and 68.9% to 97% of the heavy metals were present in undesorbable particulate form. The concentrations of undesorbed heavy metals in the roof sediments tended to increase with increasing sediment size, but a similar trend was not found in the road sediments. This study shows that more attention should be given to the particulate matter in stormwater runoff, as reducing the amount of particulates will improve the efficiency of pollution control measures.

Spatiotemporal distribution of TN and TP in sediment of Three-dimensional ecosystem in Dongting lake and their relationships with chlorophyll-a

Spatiotemporal distribution of total nitrogen(TN),total phosphorus(TP) in sediment of Dongting lake where the 500 hm2 freshwater pearl culture system is located in Summer and Winter from 2010—2011 was observed.The relationship between these TN and TP with chlorophyll-a in the water and the content changes of TN and TP under rice ecosystem were investigated.The results showed that the contents of TN and TP in sediment decreased from the South to the North.There was no significant seasonal change in TN.The highest content of TP appeared in Summer,which was 1.64 mg/g,and the lowest TP content was in Winter,which was 0.26 mg/g.The contents of TN and TP in sediment were positively correlated to chlorophyll a content.TN and TP contents in the sediment where rice ecosystem is accessible reduced 31.6% and 45.1%,respectively,compared to those in the sediment located in the central of the culture system where rice ecosystem is inaccessible.These results suggest that three-dimensional culture and rice cultivation in the ecosystem could balance the contents of TN and TP in the sediment.

The spatio-temporal variations of sedimentary phosphorus in Taihu Lake and the implications for internal loading change and recent eutrophication

Internal phosphorus loading is particularly concerned for the shallow lakes due to the frequent sediment disturbance, which may play a vital role in changing nutrient level in overlying water. A historical perspective on internal phosphorus loading may contribute to understanding its contribution to recent eutrophication. In this work, a study on the changes in internal phosphorus loading and release potential in Taihu Lake, a shallow eutrophic lake in China, was performed based on the analysis of spatio-temporal variations of sedimentary total phosphorus and three operationally defined fractions (NaOH-P, HCl-P and OP). The influencing factors for changing internal loading were discussed. The results showed that internal phosphorus loading was elevated compared to pre-eutrophication periods and the increase has occurred since approximately the late 1970s to early 1980s. Changes in internal phosphorus loading were primarily attributed to the NaOH-P and OP fractions, relating to anthropogenic inputs and enhanced productivity, respectively. The internal phosphorus release potential may be enhanced by up to 22% currently relative to the pre-eutrophication period; however, it should play a secondary role to external input in enhancing nutrient levels and sustaining the eutrophication in Taihu Lake.

Evidence toward sediment accumulation characteristics of slotted inlet pipes as best management practices on agricultural landscapes

The Mississippi River Healthy Basins Initiative calls for best management practices (BMPs) that actively avoid, control, and trap non-point source pollutants such as sediments and nutrients. Typical edge-of-field practices of forested riparian buffers and native warm season grass buffers control and trap sheet flow surface runoff. Slotted inlet pipes are drainage water management structures that theoretically slow runoff velocities, detain a variable pool of water, and encourage sedimentation. The objective of this study was to document sediment accumulation behind four newly installed slotted inlet pipes in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley. Further analysis of installation geometry and total phosphorus (TP) of accumulated sediments provided sediment volumes and TP loads retained on agricultural landscapes as a result of slotted inlet pipes. There were significant differences (p<0.001) in sediment accumulation (mm) between all sites, however, there were no significant differences in sediment accumulation rates (mm/day) between the four pipes (H=2.611; p=0.625). Overall curvi-linear trend (r2=0.76) and the Von Bertalanffy non-linear model for sediment accumulation through time for all four sites, suggests highest sediment accumulation occurs at approximately 235 days following pipe installation at 65±22% of pipe volume. A Mann–Whitney U test showed highly significant differences in sediment accumulation rates between T0–235 (1.5mm/day) and T235–624 (−0.0357mm/day). Overall sediment volumes and TP loads retained ranged between 3.88 and11.5m3 and thus 3.32–18.86kg TP respectively, with average present value costs per kg per ha of TP accumulated ranging from $250.66 (low TP concentration) to $136.51 (high TP concentration) over the 15 yr project horizon. Results document performance measures of slotted inlet pipes for sediment accumulation and phosphorus load retention per pipe. Furthermore, estimates of time that maximize sediment accumulation (t=235 days) provide a potential management protocol that could maximize sediment and nutrient reductions with slotted inlet pipes as edge-of-field management practices.

Speciation of Phosphorus in an Estuarine System Inside Guanabara Bay, RJ - SE Brazil

Rangel, C.M.A., Baptista Neto, J.A., Lima, L.G., Oliveira, P.S. 2013. Speciation of Phosphorus in an estuarine system inside Guanabara Bay, RJ - SE Brazil. In: Conley, D.C., Masselink, G., Russell, P.E. and O'Hare, T.J. (eds.) Proceedings 12th International Coastal Symposium (Plymouth, England), Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 65, pp. 1194–1199, ISSN 0749-0208.-->The Guanabara Bay, located in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro, comprises an urbanized and industrialized area in Brazil, which over the past decades has undergone an intense degradation process caused by the eutrophication of river systems that surround this bay. This process occurs through anthropogenic activities developed within the watershed adjacent to this estuarine environment. This article investigates the controls on sediments phosphorus (P) speciation dynamics as a function of its fractionation into chemically defined operational pools along an estuarine system. This work analyzed a total of 10 variables samples of superficial sediments collected along a Mangue estuarine system inside Guanabara Bay, RJ – SE Brazil. Monitoring phosphorus in sediment dynamics in this area is important to control the influence of seasonality and anthropogenic activity in this nutrient impact. Through analysis of the sediment total phosphorus in this system, there was contamination by phosphorus in Mangue estuarine system. Regarding the phosphorus fractionation, the various form of P are influenced by human impacts, where the main chemical fraction, in the winter and summer, associated with Fe in a reducing environment, typical of polluted environments.

Effects of environmental factors on nutrients release at sediment-water interface and assessment of trophic status for a typical shallow lake, northwest China.

Surface sediment and water samples were collected from Daihai Lake to study the biogeochemical characteristics of nitrogen and phosphorus, to estimate the loads of these nutrients, and to assess their effects on water quality. The contents and spatial distributions of total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), and different nitrogen forms in sediments were analyzed. The results showed that concentrations of TN and TP in surface sediments ranged from 0.27 to 1.78 g/kg and from 558.31 to 891.29 mg/kg, respectively. Ratios of C : N ranged between 8.2 and 12.1, which indicated that nitrogen accumulated came mainly from terrestrial source. Ratios of N : P in all sampling sites were below 10, which indicated that N was the limiting nutrient for algal growth in this lake. Effects of environment factors on the release of nitrogen and phosphorus in lake sediments were also determined; high pH values could encourage the release of nitrogen and phosphorus. Modified Carlson's trophic state index (TSIM) and comprehensive trophic state index (TSIC) were applied to ascertain the trophic classification of the studied lake, and the values of TSIM and TSIC ranged from 53.72 to 70.61 and from 47.73 to 53.67, respectively, which indicated that the Daihai Lake was in the stage of hypereutropher.

Nutrient Speciation and Distribution between Surface Water and Sediment in the Middle Reach of the Huai River, China

AbstractThe speciation and distribution of the nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus in riverbed sediment play an important role in river water quality and are the primary product for the river ecosystem. Previous research on river nutrients has not considered the relationship between nitrogen and phosphorus and their mobility effects. To investigate the role of nitrogen and phosphorus in water quality and their interactions between sediments and water, sediment and water samples were taken from 10 sites along the middle main stream of the Huai River in China from Linhuaigang to Fengtai County on December 12, 2008. Nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in water, organic matter (OM), and different forms and contents of the elements in sediment were investigated. Results showed a positive correlation between total nitrogen in sampled sediments, primarily occupied by organic nitrogen and chlorophyll a concentrations in water (r2=0.727). Total phosphorus in sediments was primarily represented as inorganic phosph...

Differential post-depositional mobility of phosphorus species in lake sediments

Historically, paleolimnologists have been cautious about interpreting sedimentary total phosphorus (P) profiles because of the well-documented post-depositional mobility of P. There is recent new attention given to the interpretation of component P fractions that are generally indicative of broad categories of chemical P species in sediments. Using homogenized sediments collected from 5 lakes with differing characteristics, the mobilities of total P, and of NH4Cl-, BD-, NaOH-, and HCl-extractible P were measured in short term incubations (15–24 weeks). Almost all of the observed mobility of total P could be explained by the mobility of reductant-soluble BD–P, with a smaller contribution from NaOH–P. In contrast, HCl–P (apatite) and organic-P showed no significant movement. These results reaffirm that sedimentary TP profiles should be interpreted with caution, and that component P species, particularly NH4Cl-, BD-, and NaOH–P are also prone to post-depositional mobility. In contrast, HCl–P and organic-P appear to be more reliable proxies for paleolimnological reconstructions.