Journal
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
Volume 57, Issue 6-12, Pages 349-356Publisher
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2008.01.038
Keywords
adsorption; fractionation; Mai Po; phosphorus; sediment; water quality
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This study examined the phosphorus retention and release characteristics of sediments in the eutrophic Mai Po Marshes in Hong Kong. Results of chemical fractionation show that the sum of inorganic P pools exceeded 50% of the total sediment P content, with the redox-sensitive iron-bound P (Fe(OOH)approximate to P) being the dominant P fraction. Given the considerable average Fe(OOH) P concentration of 912 mu g g(-1), Mai Po sediments demonstrated a great potential to release bioavailable P under low sediment redox potentials. This was further supported by the high mean anaerobic P flux of 31.8 mg m(-2) d(-1) recorded in Mai Po sediment cores, indicating the role of bottom sediments as a net P source. Although sediments in Mai Po had appreciable Langmuir adsorption maxima (16423582 mg kg(-1)), the high zero equilibrium P concentrations (0.02-0.51 mg L-1) obtained suggest that sediment sorption processes would contribute to sustaining the eutrophic conditions in overlying water column even with a further reduction in external P load. Concerted efforts should be made to reduce internal loading of P, especially under reducing conditions, to complement the implementation of zero discharge policy for Deep Bay for effective eutrophication abatement and long-term water quality improvement in the Mai Po Marshes. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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