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Updated: Apr 2, 2026
10:49
Laboratory-determined Phosphorus Flux from Lake Sediments as a Measure of Internal Phosphorus Loading
Published on: March 6, 2014
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Molecular-Microbial Cascades Regulate Organic Phosphorus Mineralization in Lake Sediments
Hezhong Yuan1, Tong Guan1, Qianhui Yuan1
1School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China.
Environmental Science & Technology
|April 1, 2026
Summary
Organic phosphorus (Po) mineralization is a key internal phosphorus source in lakes. This study reveals how molecular composition and microbial genes (phoD) drive Po breakdown, highlighting Po bioavailability as crucial for managing lake eutrophication.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Microbial Ecology
- Limnology
Background:
- Organic phosphorus (Po) mineralization is a critical internal source of soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) in lakes.
- The molecular and microbial mechanisms controlling Po transformation are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the molecular and microbial mechanisms of Po mineralization in lake sediments.
- To investigate the role of Po bioavailability in regulating internal phosphorus loading.
Main Methods:
- Integrated excitation-emission fluorescence spectroscopy, FT-ICR-MS, and metagenomics in Taihu Lake.
- Conducted a global meta-analysis of lake sediment data.
- Utilized structural equation modeling to identify key drivers.
Main Results:
- Fulvic-associated Po (Fu-Po) dominated sediment inventories, but NaHCO3-Po and biomass-Po showed higher decomposition potential.
- Proteins and lignins were key in humic-associated Po, while NaHCO3-Po contained labile lipid-like compounds.
- The phoD gene was abundant, with specific taxa acting as keystone regulators; Fu-Po indirectly drove SRP replenishment via phoD-mediated activity.
Conclusions:
- A mechanistic cascade links molecular composition to phoD-mediated Po mineralization.
- Po bioavailability, not just inorganic phosphorus, is a critical driver for reducing internal lake loading.
- Targeting Po mineralization pathways offers insights for managing lake eutrophication.
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