Phosphorus sorption by sediments from a soft-water seepage lake. 2. Effects of pH and sediment composition

Journal Article · Fri Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1991 · Environmental Science and Technology; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es00015a004· OSTI ID:5673659

Detenbeck, N E; Brezonik, P L ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Minnesota, Minneapolis (USA)

The effects of pH and sediment composition on phosphorus sorption by sandy littoral and organic-rich pelagic sediments from Little Rock Lake (Vilas County, WI) were evaluated in laboratory experiments. About two-thirds of total sedimentary P is in organic forms. Concentrations of inorganic P (P{sub i}) are low in littoral sediments (0.66-1.71 {mu}mol/g). In pelagic sediments P{sub i} concentrations are approximately 10 times higher (16.1-19.4 {mu}mol/g). Most of the P{sub i} ({approximately}70%) is readily exchangeable. Variability in P{sub i} is related to surface area and aluminum oxyhydroxide content but not to iron oxyhydroxides. Potential effects of pH on sorption are large; predicted equilibrium phosphate concentrations (EPC) decrease by 88-91% between pH 6.0 and 4.5, as P binding by the sediments increases. Diffusive fluxes of P{sub i} out of the sediments could decrease by as much as 90% if surficial sediments in Little Rock Lake become acidified.

• OSTI ID: 5673659
• Journal Information: Environmental Science and Technology; (USA), Vol. 25:3; ISSN 0013-936X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
SEDIMENTS
SORPTIVE PROPERTIES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
DATA ANALYSIS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
LAKES
PH VALUE
PHOSPHORUS
DATA
ELEMENTS
INFORMATION
NONMETALS
NUMERICAL DATA
SURFACE PROPERTIES
SURFACE WATERS
540220* - Environment
Terrestrial- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
540320 - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)