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A Cross-System Study of Phosphorus Release from Lake Sediments

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Comparative Analyses of Ecosystems

Abstract

Phosphorus plays an important role in the control of primary production in aquatic systems. Research during the past several decades has shown that a major loss of P from the surface photic waters of aquatic systems is by sinking of particles to the sediments. Not surprisingly, therefore, the extent to which sediments recycle P to overlying waters is critical in maintaining system productivity and controlling eutrophication of aquatic systems.

Research on P cycling in individual aquatic systems has indicated that dissolved oxygen content of waters is a major factor controlling P release from sediments. Although control by oxygen is widely accepted, this view is not substantiated by the large variation in P release among lakes. Looking among lakes it becomes clear that factors that are relatively invariant in single lakes (e.g., major ion concentrations) are critical in controlling sediment P release.

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Authors
  1. Nina Caraco
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  2. Jonathan J. Cole
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  3. Gene E. Likens
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  1. Institute of Ecosystem Studies, New York Botanical Garden, Millbrook, NY, 12545-0129, USA

    Jonathan Cole , Gary Lovett  & Stuart Findlay ,  & 

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Caraco, N., Cole, J.J., Likens, G.E. (1991). A Cross-System Study of Phosphorus Release from Lake Sediments. In: Cole, J., Lovett, G., Findlay, S. (eds) Comparative Analyses of Ecosystems. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-3122-6_12

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