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Updated: May 31, 2026

Laboratory-determined Phosphorus Flux from Lake Sediments as a Measure of Internal Phosphorus Loading
Published on: March 6, 2014
Examination of reactive phosphate fluxes in an eutrophicated coastal area
Ebru Yesim Ozkan1, Baha Buyukisik
1Fisheries Faculty, Department of Hydrobiology, Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Turkey. ebru.yesim.koksal@ege.edu.tr
Abstract:
Reactive phosphate (RP) fluxes over sediment in an eutrophic bay were obtained under different conditions. The results were assessed together with water column, sediment solid, and liquid-phase parameters. The RP fluxes ranged from 0 to 1,300 μgatP × m(-2)d(-1) day depending on the sediment site and other variables. At stations with relatively high net RP fluxes, the clay fraction was >3% and disproportionate with salinity, which explained why the RP effluxes decreased by inhibition of the organic coating on particulate matter with increased SO(4) (-2) ions and good competition of RP anions with SO(4) (-2). The RP flux in Fe/RP ratios >2 in surface water decreased to approach a minimum asymptotically, which was thus defined with a hyperbolic curve to determine the maximum rate of the RP flux (J(RP)). The [RP(porewater)](initial)/[RP(ambient)] (initial) ratios were suggested to govern the net RP flux regionally, so the critical value where the RP flux turns positive could indicate eutrophication with Chl-a values <500 μg/g. So, this study investigated the phosphate fluxes between sediment and water column and determined the factors influencing the RP fluxes in the inner bay of Izmir.
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