Sediment Phosphorus Equilibrium Concentration (EPC0) Measured Using a Novel Dynamic Mesocosm System

• Published in: Bulletin of environmental contamination and toxicology Vol. 115; no. 1; p. 11
• Main Authors: Patel, Tilak, Weisener, Chris, Drouillard, Ken G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 11.07.2025; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aquatic Pollution; Cores; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Geologic Sediments - chemistry; Grain size; Hemodialysis; Mesocosms; Phosphorus; Phosphorus - analysis; Pollution; Sediment-water interface; Sediments; Silicones; Soil Science & Conservation; Temperature effects; Variance analysis; Waste Water Technology; Water; Water Management; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water Pollution Control; Turkey; Internal phosphorus load; EPC; Sediment-phosphorus interactions; Sediment nutrient flux; EPC0
• ISSN: 0007-4861; 1432-0800; 1432-0800
• DOI: 10.1007/s00128-025-04082-1

The sediment equilibrium phosphorus concentration (EPC 0 ) is used to estimate phosphorus (P) flux at the sediment-water interface. This parameter is most commonly measured by the batch method which potentially disrupts natural sediment structure at sampling. This manuscript describes the use of a dynamic mesocosm system consisting of sediment cores modified to recirculate overlying waters from the cores through an external reservoir that is subject to experimental manipulation. The method allows EPC 0 to be determined on intact cores while preserving in-situ sediment structure. Calibration of the system demonstrated time to steady state after P-spiking to vary by spike concentration and temperature. Comparisons between EPC 0 from batch and mesocosms revealed higher EPC 0 in cores compared to batch methods. When sediment structure was disrupted by homogenization, technique differences were reduced.