Phosphate exchange across the sediment-water interface under oxic and hypoxic/anoxic conditions in the southern Baltic Sea

Abstract

Benthic fluxes of phosphate and phosphorus distribution in sediments from the southern Baltic Sea were investigated in spring and autumn in 2005 and 2007-2010. Strong spatial variability of phosphate fluxes was observed across the sediment-water interface. The highest values of phosphate flux from sediment (up to 37 μmol m −2 h −1 ), resulting from the high mineralization rate of organic matter and rapid phosphorus turnover due to macrofaunal activity and hydrodynamic conditions, were observed in the shallow area at depths ranging from 50 to 69 m. The rate of phosphate exchange in the transportation and accumulation bottom area with the water depth ≥72 m was several times lower (2.12 -6.22 μmol m −2 h −1 ). In continuously hypoxic or anoxic sediments, phosphorus was preserved in the refractory organic form, and sediments were depleted of redox-dependent phosphorus forms. In shallow area with well oxygenated near-bottom water, phosphorus was present mainly in the calcium-bound form.

Factors controlling spatial distributions and relationships of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur in sediments of the stratified and eutrophic Gulf of Gdansk

“…The most important factors are as follows: the quantity and quality of OM that reaches sediments, water depth and related time of sinking of suspended particulate matter in the water column, resuspension and mixing of surface sediments associated with the bioturbations and/or dynamics of bottom water, sediment accumulation rate, oxygen conditions in the water column and sediments, and the rate and path of OM mineralisation (Jensen et al, 1995;Heiskanen and Tallberg, 1999;Benitez-Nelson, 2000;Graca et al, 2006;Rullkötter, 2006;Łukawska-Matuszewska and Burska, 2011;Rydin et al, 2011). In the following paragraphs, distribution patterns of C, N, P and S and their molar ratios in sediments in the Gulf of Gdansk will be discussed.…”