It analyzed the surface sediment phosphorus species using SMT method and the release poten- tial in the West Lake of Fuzhou.The results showed that the total phosphorus concentrations of the surface sediment are from 711 to 1 654 mg/kg and the inorganic phosphorus was the major phosphorus species in the sediment.The active organic and the Al/Fe bounded phosphorus occupied from 70% to 90% of the total phosphorus,which indicated the sediment had a large phosphorus releases potential.A gradient of the reac- tive soluble phosphorus occurred at the sediment-water interface which indicated that SRP could diffuse from sediment into the overlying water.The results suggested that a considerable potential P could be released from the sediment to the water when the burden of the outside became less which would influence the water quality of West Lake.