Influences of sediment properties and macrophytes on phosphorous speciation in the intertidal marsh

• Published in: Environmental science and pollution research international Vol. 21; no. 17; pp. 10432 - 10441
• Main Authors: Shao, Xuexin, Liang, Xinqiang, Wu, Ming, Gu, Binhe, Li, Wenhua, Sheng, Xuancai, Wang, Shaoxian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.09.2014; Springer Berlin Heidelberg; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aluminum; anthropogenic activities; Anthropogenic factors; Aquatic plants; Aquatic Pollution; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Bioavailability; Contaminated sediments; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Environmental science; Estuaries; Geologic Sediments - chemistry; Influence; Macrophytes; marshes; Metal oxides; Mud flats; Offshore; Organic phosphorus; Particle Size; particle size distribution; Phosphorus; Phosphorus - analysis; Phosphorus - chemistry; Phosphorus - classification; Plants - chemistry; Research Article; Retention; Rivers; Salinity; Sand bars; Sediments; Size distribution; Soil erosion; Speciation; Studies; Tidal flats; Vegetation; vegetation types; Waste Water Technology; Water column; Water Management; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water Pollutants, Chemical - chemistry; Water Pollution Control; Wetlands; China; INW, China, People's Rep., Zhejiang Prov., Hangzhou Bay; China, People's Rep; Sediment particle size distribution; Vegetation types; Offshore sandbar; Tidal flat; Phosphorus speciation; Hangzhou Bay
• ISSN: 0944-1344; 1614-7499
• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-014-2957-x

Phosphorus (P) in wetlands is mainly bound to sediment in various species, which is essential to predict water column P levels. The purpose of this work is to understand the influences of sediment properties and vegetation types on P speciation. Sediments under four vegetation types in the tidal flat and offshore sandbar in Hangzhou Bay of China were collected seasonally. The rank order of P species in sediment based on concentration was exchangeable P (Exch-P) < iron/aluminum-bound P (Fe/Al-P) < organic P (Org-P) < calcium-bound P (Ca-P). Sediment total phosphorus (TP) and Fe/Al-P concentrations were lower in offshore sandbar than those of tidal flat, reflecting effects of anthropogenic contamination in the latter. Sediment particle size distribution strongly affected P speciation, as indicated by a significant correlation between them. Total phosphorus and Org-P concentrations in vegetated sediments were higher than those of bare mudflat. Additionally, there was a significant negative correlation between Ca-P and Org-P, and Fe/Al-P, indicating the presence of vegetation which may result in P speciation by converting Ca-P to soluble and active P and higher Org-P. Overall, sediment particle size distribution is the most fundamental physical property that affects P speciation, and vegetation types are important factors that influence Org-P concentration.