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Determining algal-available phosphorus of differing origin: routine phosphorus analyses versus algal assays

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Abstract

Eutrophication of surface waters can be accelerated by anthropogenic P-inputs, provided that P is in a form available to aquatic primary producers. Potentially algal-available P (Paa) under aerobic conditions was determined with a dual-culture assay from 172 samples representing P in point and nonpoint sources and in lacustrine matter. The availability of P – expressed as the proportion of Paa in total P (Tot-P) – ranged from 0 to 100%. In the different P sources, the mean availability ranged from 3.4 to 89% in descending order: wastewater of rural population > biologically treated urban wastewater > dairy house wastewater > biologically and chemically treated urban wastewater > field runoff > forest industrial effluent > fish fodder and feces > river water > field surface soil > forest runoff > lake settling matter > lake bottom sediments. Of the P fractions, dissolved reactive P (o-P) was highly available to algae, whereas particulate P (Ppart) and dissolved unreactive P (unr-Pdiss) contributed to Paa to a lower but varying degree. An approach based on source-dependent availability coefficients, derived from the algal assays, appeared promising in transforming the load of Tot-P into that of Paa. Although the values for Paa obtained by the dual-culture assay probably underestimate the true levels for ultimately available P, they may still give valuable information for eutrophication abatement.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Finnish Environment Institute, P.O. Box 140, FIN-00251, Helsinki, Finland

    Petri Ekholm

  2. Pirkanmaa Regional Environment Center, P.O. Box 297, FIN-33101, Tampere, Finland

    Kirsti Krogerus

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  1. Petri Ekholm
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  2. Kirsti Krogerus
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Ekholm, P., Krogerus, K. Determining algal-available phosphorus of differing origin: routine phosphorus analyses versus algal assays. Hydrobiologia 492, 29–42 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024857626784

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