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Influences of sediment properties and macrophytes on phosphorous speciation in the intertidal marsh

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Abstract

Phosphorus (P) in wetlands is mainly bound to sediment in various species, which is essential to predict water column P levels. The purpose of this work is to understand the influences of sediment properties and vegetation types on P speciation. Sediments under four vegetation types in the tidal flat and offshore sandbar in Hangzhou Bay of China were collected seasonally. The rank order of P species in sediment based on concentration was exchangeable P (Exch-P) < iron/aluminum-bound P (Fe/Al-P) < organic P (Org-P) < calcium-bound P (Ca-P). Sediment total phosphorus (TP) and Fe/Al-P concentrations were lower in offshore sandbar than those of tidal flat, reflecting effects of anthropogenic contamination in the latter. Sediment particle size distribution strongly affected P speciation, as indicated by a significant correlation between them. Total phosphorus and Org-P concentrations in vegetated sediments were higher than those of bare mudflat. Additionally, there was a significant negative correlation between Ca-P and Org-P, and Fe/Al-P, indicating the presence of vegetation which may result in P speciation by converting Ca-P to soluble and active P and higher Org-P. Overall, sediment particle size distribution is the most fundamental physical property that affects P speciation, and vegetation types are important factors that influence Org-P concentration.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31000296, 41271314) and the National Major Science and Technology Programs for Water Pollution Control and Treatment (2012ZX07506-006). We wish to thank Xiaohong Zhu and Xiajuan Xu for their skilful assistance in fieldwork.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, People’s Republic of China

    Xuexin Shao, Xinqiang Liang & Shaoxian Wang

  2. Research Institute of Subtropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Fuyang, Zhejiang, 311400, China

    Xuexin Shao, Ming Wu, Wenhua Li & Xuancai Sheng

  3. Department of Soil and Water Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA

    Binhe Gu

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  1. Xuexin Shao
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  2. Xinqiang Liang
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  3. Ming Wu
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  4. Binhe Gu
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  5. Wenhua Li
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  6. Xuancai Sheng
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  7. Shaoxian Wang
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Correspondence to Xinqiang Liang.

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Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

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Shao, X., Liang, X., Wu, M. et al. Influences of sediment properties and macrophytes on phosphorous speciation in the intertidal marsh. Environ Sci Pollut Res 21, 10432–10441 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-014-2957-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-014-2957-x

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