Release of phosphorus in sediments from a tributary of the Three Gorges Reservoir (China) with phosphate-solubilising bacteria

Inorganic Phosphate-solubilising Bacteria (IPB) and Organic Phosphate-mineralising Bacteria (OPB) was isolated from DaNing River which was an important tributary of the Three-Gorges Reservoir (China), and their abilities for P release from sediment were evaluated in batch experiments. The results showed that IPB and OPB may not only enhance P release, but also reserve P as organic P and inorganic P forms inside the cells. Higher temperature promoted P release and reserve inside the bacteria. Lower dissolved oxygen debased P reserved inside the bacteria, but made more Fe-bound P released, which enhanced the concentration of phosphate in water.