Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 21, 2026
10:49
Laboratory-determined Phosphorus Flux from Lake Sediments as a Measure of Internal Phosphorus Loading
Published on: March 6, 2014
17.9K
Dynamics of particulate phosphorus in a shallow eutrophic lake
Ryuichiro Shinohara1, Akio Imai1, Ayato Kohzu1
1National Institute for Environmental Studies, 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8506, Japan.
The Science of the Total Environment
|May 7, 2016
Summary
In shallow Lake Kasumigaura, biogenic phosphorus (P) from organisms, not sediment resuspension, controls particulate phosphorus (PP) levels. Biogenic P production forms easily degradable mononucleotides, impacting PP concentrations.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Limnology
- Biogeochemistry
Background:
- Shallow, eutrophic lakes often experience complex phosphorus dynamics.
- Sediment resuspension can increase turbidity and nutrient concentrations.
- The relative importance of biogenic versus inorganic phosphorus sources requires clarification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the hypothesis that biogenic phosphorus controls particulate phosphorus (PP) in Lake Kasumigaura.
- To differentiate the roles of biogenic P and sediment resuspension in regulating PP concentrations.
- To investigate the chemical forms of phosphorus in particulate matter.
Main Methods:
- Field sampling in Lake Kasumigaura during varying wind conditions.
- Measurement of particulate phosphorus (PP), reactive P (P-rP), and non-reactive P (P-nrP).
- Analysis of particulate organic carbon (POC) and phosphorus speciation using 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
Main Results:
- Particulate phosphorus (PP) concentrations were not correlated with wind velocity or sediment resuspension.
- Particulate organic carbon (POC) concentrations were strongly correlated with PP, P-rP, and P-nrP.
- Mononucleotides constituted the largest proportion of detected phosphorus compounds and were linked to high POC levels.
Conclusions:
- Biogenic phosphorus, originating from phytoplankton and bacteria, is the primary driver of PP concentrations in Lake Kasumigaura.
- Sediment resuspension has a limited impact on PP compared to biogenic sources.
- Biogenic P production establishes a significant pool of readily degradable mononucleotides within the lake's particulate matter.
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