Phosphorus assimilation in a stream system of the Lake Okeechobee Basin

The phosphorus assimilatory capacity of Otter Creek in the Taylor Creek/Nubbin Slough basin located north of Lake Okeechobee was investigated experimentally. Results show that sediments in the stream assimilated approximately 5.0% of its phosphorus load. The experimental data also suggest that about 56% to 77% of phosphorus which assimilated in the above-ground vegetation during active growth was released of translocated within six months of senescence.