Release Kinetics of Phosphorus in Sediments from Baihua Lake

Release kinetics of phosphorus in 17 sediments samples collected from Baihua Lake were determined, and the relationship between the phosphorus release kinetic parameters and the sediment composition was also investigated. The results showed that both the Elovich equation and power function equation were valid models for describing the phosphorus release data in the 17 sediments. Within the beginning 12 h, the rate of phosphorus release was high, and then decreased. Our correlation analysis demonstrates that there were no significant correlations between the maximum capacity of phosphorus release (Q(max)) and the content of total nitrogen (TN), organic matter (OM), calcium-bound phosphorus (Ca-P), and organic phosphorus (OP). But the correlation between Q(max) and iron/aluminum-bound phosphorus (Fe/Al-P) content was positive (R-2 = 0.6064, P <0.01), suggesting that Fe/Al-P might be the main contributor to the released phosphorus in the sediments.