Estimation of phosphorus release from the Sediment in Sakaryabasi West Pond (Turkey)

In this study, we aimed to determine the contribution of sediment to the pond eutrophication, which supply water to the Sakaryabasi Fish Culture and Research Station. Water and sediment samples were taken from the station in years 2000 (July and October) and 2001 (January and April). Phosphorus release from littoral sediments to pond water by using sediment water content, molecular diffusion coefficient, tortuosity, and the TFO (total filtrable orthophosphate) gradient across the sediment-water interface was estimated. The highest release rate was determined on October, 2000 as 22 mu g m(-2) d(-1), on the other hand the lowest rate was found out as 3 mu g m(-2) d(-1) on January, 2001. The factors affecting the decreasing phosphorus release mechanism were discussed with the results of the contemporaneous studies in pond.