Characterization of biogenic phosphorus in sediments from the multi-polluted Haihe River, China, using phosphorus fractionation and 31 P-NMR

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoleng.2014.07.063
• Publication Date: 2014-08-16T00:15:54Z
• Authors: Wenqiang Zhang; Wenzhong Tang; Hong Zhang; Jianlin Bi; Xin Jin; Jie Li; Baoqing Shan
• Keywords: 13. Climate action; 01 natural sciences; 6. Clean water; 0105 earth and related environmental sciences

We studied the phosphorus (P) pollution, as described by concentrations, distribution and transformation potential, of sediments of the water scarce and heavily polluted Fuyang River, a tributary of the Haihe River, using P fractionation and phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance (P-31-NMR). In terms of their contribution to total P, the rank order of the P fractions was as follows: H2SO4 P g NaOH-Pi g ResPgNaOH-PogKCI-P. Seven P compounds were detected by the P-31-NMR analysis. Orthophosphate (45.2-92.4%) and orthophosphate monoesters (6.6-45.7%) were the dominant forms. Smaller amounts of pyrophosphates (0.1-6.6%), deoxyribonucleic acid (0.3-3.9%), phosphonates (0-3.3%), phospholipids (0-2.7%) and polyphosphates (0-0.04%) were observed in the sediments. Results of P fractionation and P-31-NMR analysis showed that 35% of Pi was labile P, including KCl-P and NaOH-Pi (Fe-P and Al-P). Biogenic-P accounted for 24% of P in the sediments. Analysis of the relationships between P species and water quality indicated that the Po compounds would mineralize to form ortho-P and would be potentially bioavailable for recycling to surface water, supporting further growth of phytoplankton and leading to algal blooms. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.