Phosphorus speciation and dynamics in river sediments, floodplain soils and leaf litter from the Lower Murray River region

Phosphorus (P) availability, which depends on both P concentration and speciation, often controls primary productivity and algal-bloom formation in river systems. The river P pool is also connected to P pools of adjacent sediments, soils and vegetation. Thus, informed management of P in floodplain-river systems requires detailed understanding of P concentration and speciation in all of these interconnected components. We studied P speciation in river sediments and water, floodplain soils and river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) leaf litter from the Lower Murray region using conventional spectroscopic measurements, solution P-31 nuclear magnetic resonance (P-31 NMR) spectroscopy, and leaching experiments to simulate floodplain re-wetting of leaf litter. Almost all (>85%) of the P in river sediments was in the orthophosphate form, whereas floodplain soils had higher proportions of organic P (P-O) species. Both fresh and senescent river red gum leaf litter also had a much higher concentration of P-O, primarily in the form of phytate. On submersion, there was a rapid (0-96 h) loss of dissolved P from senescent leaves; release of dissolved organic carbon showed similar kinetics. Loss of P from the leaves included both organic and inorganic forms. The results have important implications for aquatic primary productivity and environmental management strategies.