Distribution patterns and dynamics of phosphorus forms in the overlying water and sediment of Dongting Lake

Dongting Lake is a typical shallow lake in the lower Yangtze region and is the second largest freshwater lake in China. The distribution, speciation, and sediment release characteristics of phosphorus (P) were investigated by analyzing sediment and water samples collected during high and low flow periods. The average concentration (range) of total phosphorus (TP) in the water was 0.05 mg L− 1 (0.02 ~ 0.09 mg L− 1), while the value in sediment was 703 mg kg− 1 (466 ~ 869 mg kg− 1). The concentrations of TP and different P forms decreased as depth increased. Inorganic phosphorus was the dominant form of P, accounting for 72% of TP. The bioavailable P was a relatively large portion of TP, indicating a high risk of P release to overlying water. The Langmuir equation can well describe the P isotherm adsorption characteristics in sediment. The amount of P desorption from sediment tended to increase with increasing concentrations of adsorbed P.