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Phosphorus fractions in the surface sediments of three mangrove systems of southwest coast of India

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Abstract

The phosphorus fractions in three tropical mangrove systems of Cochin region were analysed by sequential extraction method. Iron-bound phosphorus was the major fraction in the first two stations, while station 3 was exclusively dominated by calcium-bound phosphorus. Compared to other stations, about tenfold increase in total phosphorus content was observed at station 3. This station is a congregation of communally breeding birds, and there is accumulation of bird guano. Mineralogical analysis showed the presence of monetite, a thermodynamically metastable calcium phosphate mineral, in this unique system. The excreta and carcass of the birds in this sanctuary seems to be the reason for the formation of monetite, which is favoured by periodic fluctuations in redox potential. The high mass percentages of calcium and phosphorus by XRF and SEM–EDS analysis confirm the existence of calcium phosphate mineral at station 3. First two stations did not show any noticeable difference in phosphorus fractions and inorganic fractions constituted to about 65% of total phosphorus. But at station 3, inorganic fractions were about 92%. Low C:P ratios and low organic phosphorus content indicated active mineralisation of phosphorus at station 3. Bioavailable fractions of phosphorus at stations 1 and 2 were about 75%, whereas 98% of the total phosphorus was bioavailable at station 3. Since the bulk of the total phosphorus is bioavailable, these mangrove sediments have the potential to act as source of phosphorus to the overlying waters.

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the facilities and the support provided by the Director, School of Marine Sciences and the Dean, Faculty of Marine Sciences, Cochin University of Science and Technology. We extend our sincere thanks to the anonymous reviewer for giving valuable comments to improve the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Oceanography, School of Marine Sciences, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi, Kerala, India

    Manju Mary Joseph, C. S. Ratheesh Kumar, K. R. Renjith, T. R. Gireesh Kumar & N. Chandramohanakumar

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  1. Manju Mary Joseph
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  2. C. S. Ratheesh Kumar
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  3. K. R. Renjith
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  4. T. R. Gireesh Kumar
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Correspondence to Manju Mary Joseph.

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Joseph, M.M., Ratheesh Kumar, C.S., Renjith, K.R. et al. Phosphorus fractions in the surface sediments of three mangrove systems of southwest coast of India. Environ Earth Sci 62, 1209–1218 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-010-0609-0

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