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Updated: Jul 12, 2026
10:49
Laboratory-determined Phosphorus Flux from Lake Sediments as a Measure of Internal Phosphorus Loading
Published on: March 6, 2014
Preferential nitrogen retention characterizes current eutrophication in United States lakes.
Ran Zhou1, Josep Peñuelas2, Jordi Sardans2
1College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.
Nature Communications
|July 9, 2026
Summary
Lake eutrophication in the US is worsening due to a shift in nutrient retention from phosphorus (P) to nitrogen (N). This nutrient imbalance, driven by internal cycling, suggests a potential regime shift impacting aquatic ecosystems.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Ecology
- Limnology
Background:
- Long-term phosphorus control measures in US lakes have not prevented recurring eutrophication.
- The relative roles of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in lake nutrient cycling are debated.
- Understanding nutrient retention dynamics is crucial for managing lake water quality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To geographically track and analyze changes in nutrient retention in 121 US lakes from 2012 to 2022.
- To investigate the drivers of eutrophication exacerbation in the context of nutrient cycling shifts.
- To identify potential early warning indicators of ecosystem state changes in lakes.
Main Methods:
- Employed a combination of machine learning and Bayesian hierarchical methods for data analysis.
- Geographically tracked nutrient retention changes over a decade (2012-2022).
- Analyzed key lake indicators for flickering-like dynamics as potential biomarkers.
Main Results:
- A significant shift in preferential nutrient retention from phosphorus to nitrogen was observed across lakes.
- Phosphorus retention dominated in 70.3% of lakes in 2012, shifting to nitrogen retention in 92.6% by 2022.
- Four key lake indicators showed flickering dynamics, suggesting a nutrient metabolic disorder-like state.
Conclusions:
- Eutrophication advancement in US lakes is driven by a shift in nutrient retention from P to N, primarily due to internal cycling.
- Observed patterns, including flickering dynamics and nutrient metabolic disorder, suggest a potential regime shift rather than simple recurrence.
- Findings provide critical insights for revising lake management and water quality improvement strategies.
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