Phosphorus release from sediments from Lake Carl Blackwell, Oklahoma

• Published in: Water research (Oxford) 1980, Vol.14 (10), p.1477-1481
• Main Authors: Bates, Marcia H, Neafus, Nancy Jo E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0043-1354; 1879-2448
• DOI: 10.1016/0043-1354(80)90013-5

A laboratory study was conducted to determine the effects of anaerobic vs aerobic conditions, sterile vs non-sterile conditions and mixing on the release of soluble ortho-phosphate from sediments obtained from Lake Carl Blackwell, Oklahoma. Eight laboratory systems reflecting various combinations of the three environmental conditions to be studied were investigated for a 30-day experimental period. Phosphate release under non-sterile conditions exceeded the release observed under sterile conditions in all systems regardless of whether they were anaerobic, aerobic, mixed or static. In addition, mixing enhanced phosphorus release under all the conditions investigated. Release of phosphate was observed under both anaerobic and aerobic conditions. Anaerobic release was greater than aerobic release in all cases except for two. The average release obtained in the aerobic mixed non-sterile systems was greater than the average release observed in the anaerobic static sterile systems and was equal to the average release observed in the anaerobic static non-sterile systems. This higher release under aerobic conditions could probably be attributed to mixing.