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A comparison of phosphorus immobilization in sediments of freshwater and coastal marine systems

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Abstract

The extent to which sediments of aquatic systems immobilize or release phosphorus can affect dramatically the P content of overlying waters. Data from 48 different aquatic systems suggests that there may be a major difference between fresh- and salt-water systems in this immobilization. Under oxic conditions (water overlying sediments had dissolved oxygen > 0.5 mg/L) P is strongly immobilized in sediments of most fresh-water systems. In sediments of most salt-water systems P is released from sediments and behaves, essentially, as a conservative tracer of benthic decomposition. This difference in P cycling is large enough to have an influence on the often cited difference in phytoplankton nutrient limitation between fresh- and salt-water systems.

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  1. Institute of Ecosystem Studies, The New York Botanical Garden, Millbrook, NY, 12545, USA

    Nina Caraco, Jonathan Cole & Gene E. Likens

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  1. Nina Caraco
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  2. Jonathan Cole
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Caraco, N., Cole, J. & Likens, G.E. A comparison of phosphorus immobilization in sediments of freshwater and coastal marine systems. Biogeochemistry 9, 277–290 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00000602

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