Geochemical composition,phosphorus speciation and mass transport of fine-grained sediment in two Lake Erie tributaries

The concentration of major elements (Si, Al, Ca, Mg, Na, K, Fe, Ti, Mn and P), particulate phosphorus forms (NH₄Cl-RP, BD-RP, NaOH-RP, HCl-RP and NaOH₍₈₅₎-RP) and carbon content were determined in six size fractions (<8, 8–12, 12–19, 19–31, 31–42 and 42–<60 µm) of sediment collected at gauging stations located in two Lake Erie tributaries (Big Creek and Big Otter Creek). Concentrations of major elements and phosphorus forms were remarkably similar in sediment size fractions from both rivers. Nonapatite inorganic P (NAIP) and organic P (OP) concentrations increased with decreasing grain size while apatite inorganic P (AIP) content decreased with decreasing grain size. Results of phosphorus fractionation studies were combined with historical (particle size) and hydrometric data to simulate the export of particle P on tributary sediment < 63 µm. AIP represents 67 and 70% of the calculated particulate P mass while NAIP accounts for 26 and 23% of sediment-bound P transported in Big Otter Creek and Big Creek, respectively. The < 8 µm size fraction of tributary sediment is the most significant for the potential release of bioavailable P into the water column.     

Speciation of riverine particulate phosphorus during rain events

Suspended sediments collected during rain events were analysed to assess the maximum potential bioavailability of particulate phosphorus (PP). Physical (separation by particle size) and chemical (sequential extraction) fractionation techniques were applied. Time differentiated sampling during rain events revealed that changes in the concentrations of soluble and particle bound phosphorus, and in the proportion of different PP phases, are due to the changing contribution of various sources of runoff and to flow related variations in particle size. Size fractionation and the extraction of PP phases, can help to distinguish resuspended sediments from sediments coming directly from outside the channel. In light of a former study, investigating PP sedimentation and transformations within the sediments of Lake Sempach, our results lead to the conclusion that, at least 25% (particulate inorganic and reductive soluble P) and at most 70% of the allochthonous PP supply transported during a single rain event, may become bioavailable after early diagenesis in the lake sediments. The uncertainty is due to the unknown time span necessary for the diagenesis, at the lake sediment surface, of particulate organic phosphorus of allochthonous origin.     

Longitudinal Variability of Phosphorus Fractions in Sediments of a Canyon Reservoir Due to Cascade Dam Construction: A Case Study in Lancang River,China

Dam construction causes the accumulation of phosphorus in the sediments of reservoirs and increases the release rate of internal phosphorus (P) loading. This study investigated the longitudinal variability of phosphorus fractions in sediments and the relationship between the contents of phosphorus fractions and its influencing factors of the Manwan Reservoir, Lancang River, Yunnan Province, China. Five sedimentary phosphorus fractions were quantified separately: loosely bound P (ex-P); reductant soluble P (BD-P); metal oxide-bound P (NaOH-P); calcium-bound P (HCl-P), and residual-P. The results showed that the total phosphorus contents ranged from 623 to 899 µg/g and were correlated positively with iron content in the sediments of the reservoir. The rank order of P fractions in sediments of the mainstream was HCl-P>NaOH-P>residual-P>BD-P>ex-P, while it was residual-P>HCl-P>NaOH-P>BD-P>ex-P in those of the tributaries. The contents of bio-available phosphorus in the tributaries, including ex-P, BD-P and NaOH-P, were significantly lower than those in the mainstream. The contents of ex-P, BD-P, NaOH-P showed a similar increasing trend from the tail to the head of the Manwan Reservoir, which contributed to the relatively higher content of bio-available phosphorus, and represents a high bio-available phosphorus releasing risk within a distance of 10 km from Manwan Dam. Correlation and redundancy analyses showed that distance to Manwan Dam and the silt/clay fraction of sediments were related closely to the spatial variation of bio-available phosphorus.     

Phosphorus Fractionation in Core Sediments from Haihe River Mainstream,China

Sediments from Haihe River mainstream, located in Xingjiaquan, Zhangjiazui, Tianjin, were collected and examined on the basis of P fractionation. SMT (standards, measurements and testing) procedure was adopted to investigate the changes in P concentration with depth in the core sediments collected from the different sampling sites of Haihe River mainstream. The relationships among different P fractions, such as exchangeable P (Ex-P), metal oxide bounded P (NaOH-P), organic matter and grain size, were also discussed. The results indicate that in both sites the rank order of P fractions was HCl-P > Organic P (OP) > NaOH-P > Ex-P in terms of their concentration. The Ex-P represented < 4% of the sediment total P, while the NaOH-P ranged 5–21%. The calcium bound phosphorus (HCl-P) showed considerable contribution (53–80%) to the sediment total P loads. Silt/clay sized sediments exhibited significantly higher concentrations of HCl-P and Ex-P in both sites. However, coarse-sand-sized sediments exhibited significantly higher concentrations of OP in both sites and NaOH-P in Xingjiaquan. Multivariate statistics were performed to identify the factors that influenced the sediment P.     

Sediment‐phosphorus dynamics can shift aquatic ecology and cause downstream legacy effects after wildfire in large river systems

Global increases in the occurrence of large, severe wildfires in forested watersheds threaten drinking water supplies and aquatic ecology. Wildfire effects on water quality, particularly nutrient levels and forms, can be significant. The longevity and downstream propagation of these effects as well as the geochemical mechanisms regulating them remain largely undocumented at larger river basin scales. Here, phosphorus (P) speciation and sorption behavior of suspended sediment were examined in two river basins impacted by a severe wildfire in southern Alberta, Canada. Fine‐grained suspended sediments (<125 μm) were sampled continuously during ice‐free conditions over a two‐year period (2009–2010), 6 and 7 years after the wildfire. Suspended sediment samples were collected from upstream reference (unburned) river reaches, multiple tributaries within the burned areas, and from reaches downstream of the burned areas, in the Crowsnest and Castle River basins. Total particulate phosphorus (TPP) and particulate phosphorus forms (nonapatite inorganic P, apatite P, organic P), and the equilibrium phosphorus concentration (EPC₀) of suspended sediment were assessed. Concentrations of TPP and the EPC₀ were significantly higher downstream of wildfire‐impacted areas compared to reference (unburned) upstream river reaches. Sediments from the burned tributary inputs contained higher levels of bioavailable particulate P (NAIP) – these effects were also observed downstream at larger river basin scales. The release of bioavailable P from postfire, P‐enriched fine sediment is a key mechanism causing these effects in gravel‐bed rivers at larger basin scales. Wildfire‐associated increases in NAIP and the EPC₀ persisted 6 and 7 years after wildfire. Accordingly, this work demonstrated that fine sediment in gravel‐bed rivers is a significant, long‐term source of in‐stream bioavailable P that contributes to a legacy of wildfire impacts on downstream water quality, aquatic ecology, and drinking water treatability.     

Rapid and Extensive Alteration of Phosphorus Speciation during Oxic Storage of Wet Sediment Samples

The chemical forms of phosphorus (P) in sediments are routinely measured in studies of P in modern and ancient marine environments. However, samples for such analyses are often exposed to atmospheric oxygen during storage and handling. Recent work suggests that long-term exposure of pyrite-bearing sediments can lead to a decline in apatite P and an increase in ferric Fe-bound P. Here, we report on alterations in P speciation in reducing modern Baltic Sea sediments that we deliberately exposed to atmospheric oxygen for a period of either one week or one year. During oxidation of the sediment, extensive changes occurred in all measured P reservoirs. Exchangeable P all but disappeared during the first week of exposure, likely reflecting adsorption of porewater PO₄ by Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxides (i.e. ferric Fe-bound P formation). Detrital and organic P were also rapidly affected: decreases in both reservoirs were already observed after the first week of exposure to atmospheric oxygen. This was likely because of acidic dissolution of detrital apatite and oxidation of organic matter, respectively. These processes produced dissolved PO₄ that was then scavenged by Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxides. Interestingly, P in authigenic calcium phosphates (i.e. apatite: authigenic Ca-P) remained unaffected after the first week of exposure, which we attributed to the shielding effect of microfossils in which authigenic Ca-P occurs in Baltic Sea sediments. This effect was transient; a marked decrease in the authigenic Ca-P pool was observed in the sediments after one year of exposure to oxygen. In summary, we show that handling and storage of wet sediments under oxic conditions can lead to rapid and extensive alteration of the original sediment P speciation.     

A Long Term Study of the Phosphorus Cycle in Lough Neagh,Northern Ireland

Eleven years of weekly observations on the phosphorus cycle in Lough Neagh are analysed. The data comprised inputs, outputs and lake concentrations of the soluble and particulate phosphorus fractions. It is shown that the particulate phosphorus input quickly sediments to the bottom and the particulate phosphorus in the lake is largely made up of phytoplankton. The average phosphorus retention in the lake was 34 %, similar to the particulate phosphorus input. Climate has a big influence on the phosphorus input and sediment release, both of which varied two-fold. A simulation model suggested that suppression of sediment P release would reduce lake winter phosphorus concentrations by an average of 29 %.     

Vertical distribution and chemical character of sediment phosphorus in two shallow estuaries in the Baltic Sea

The vertical distribution of various phosphorus (P) forms and their relation to physico-chemical properties of estuary sediment material were studied to better understand the potential release and burial of P. Core samples were taken from two dissimilar estuaries in the Baltic Sea: one in the Archipelago Sea (AS) and one in the Gulf of Finland (GoF). The P reserves were characterized by a sequential extraction procedure including the analysis of simultaneously dissolved elements in two extraction steps. The sediment material was also analysed for particle size distribution and total elements. In addition, several environmental variables were determined. The occurrence of the various forms of P varied with sediment depth among different sites. Reductant soluble, iron (Fe) bound P was the most dynamically changing P form in the sediment, while P bound to other metal oxides and apatite-P were the most stable fractions. High sedimentation rate was a dominating factor for sediment P burial. In addition, the content of organic matter, the amount of erosion-transported sorption components, and the oxygen (O₂) conditions in the near-bottom water were important determinants of the behaviour of sediment P. The results indicate that, over the long term, both estuaries have acted as sinks for deposited P and restricted the transport of P to the AS and the open GoF, thereby partly alleviating the eutrophication process.     

Phosphorus dynamics and loading in the turbid Minnesota River (USA): controls and recycling potential

Phosphorus (P) dynamics in the agriculturally-dominated Minnesota River (USA) were examined in the lower 40 mile reach in relation to hydrology, loading sources, suspended sediment, and chlorophyll to identify potential biotic and abiotic controls over concentrations of soluble P and the recycling potential of particulate P during transport to the Upper Mississippi River. Within this reach, wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) contributions as soluble reactive P (SRP) were greatest during very low discharge and declined with increasing discharge and nonpoint source P loading. Concentrations of SRP declined during low discharge in conjunction with increases in chlorophyll, suggesting biotic transformation to particulate P via phytoplankton uptake. During higher discharge periods, SRP was constant at ~0.115 mg l⁻¹ and coincided with an independently measured equilibrium P concentration (EPC) for suspended sediment in the river, suggesting abiotic control over SRP via phosphate buffering. Particulate P (PP) accounted for 66% of the annual total P load. Redox-sensitive PP, estimated using extraction procedures, represented 43% of the PP. Recycling potential of this load via diffusive sediment P flux under anoxic conditions was conservatively estimated as ~17 mg m⁻² d⁻¹ using published regression equations. The reactive nature and high P recycling potential of suspended sediment loads in the Minnesota River has important consequences for eutrophication of the Upper Mississippi River.     

The phosphorus fractions and alkaline phosphatase activities in sludge

The alkaline phosphatase activities (APA) and phosphorus fractions in activated sludge during wastewater treatment were studied. Our results showed that the phosphorus concentration and fractions in activated sludge were highly correlated with the characteristics of influents. Inorganic phosphorus (IP) and non-apatite inorganic phosphorus (NAIP) were the main phosphorus fractions of sludge. A larger phosphorus concentration was found in activated sludge due to the more readily mobilizable and bio-available forms. The APA in sludge was directly correlated with mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) in activated sludge. The APA in the sludge is implicated the depletion of organic phosphorus forms in sludge, whilst also implying its less inhibition of inorganic phosphorus in sludge. The APA and phosphorus fractions in different sludge samples from the same wastewater treatment plant were quite stable. This stability shows their tight interactions in sludge.     

Sedimentary phosphorus fractions and bioavailability as influenced by repeated sediment resuspension

Concentrations of phosphorus (P) fractions and changes in their bioavailability in the sediments as influenced by repeated resuspension were determined by sequential fractionation in laboratory experiments. The water and sediment samples used were taken from the campus canal. Sequential fractionation indicated that the concentrations of the iron bound P (BD–P) were predominant, consisting of over 50% of total P (Tot-P) in the sediments that did and did not undergo resuspension. BD–P mobility was reduced due to resuspension resulting from the decline of the proportion ratio of non-occluded Fe–P and occluded Fe–P from 0.53 to 0.29. Therefore, under sediment resuspension conditions, using the sum of loosely sorbed P (NH₄Cl–P), BD–P, aluminium bound P (Al–P), and organic-P (NaOH–nrP) to estimate bio-available P (BAP) might be problematic. However, BAP could be accurately estimated by the sum of NH₄Cl–P, % BD–P (bio-available, non-occluded Fe–P), and NaOH–nrP. By this estimation, the amount of BAP in the sediments as influenced by repeated resuspension decreased by about 10% of Tot-P, compared with the initial state (raw sediments). The results suggest that repeated resuspension could accelerate the transformation of P from mobile fractions to refractory fractions, which can be attributed to the increase of occluded Fe–P, Al–P, and calcium bound P (HCl–P).     

Particle size distribution and chemical parameters of the sediments of a shallow turbid impoundment

As part of an ecosystem study of a small mesotrophic turbid impoundment in the semi-arid part of South Africa, an investigation was made of the particle size distribution, organic content and inorganic chemical composition of the sediment. Nine transects 50 m apart were made during February 1980. Sediments were sampled with an Eckman grab. The following analyses were made: size fractionation by wet sieving, cation exchange capacity, exchangeable Na, K, Ca, Mg and PO₄, total P, and loss on ignition. From the results it was clear that the finer particles, in or near the original river bed, had higher cation exchange capacity, total P, exchangeable phosphorus and organic content. Littoral areas with avian habitat and extensive macrophyte vegetation, contained coarser sediments. Organic detritus apparently migrated to the deeper part of the impoundment. Sediments of lacustrine and fluvial origin were identified by means of the Passega classification.     

The distribution of macroinvertebrate assemblages in a reach of the River Allier (France), in relation to riverbed characteristics

Investigations on large canalised rivers, for example the Danube, have shown that transported particulate matter, which is typically inorganic, is predominantly deposited in waters near the river’s main channel. This investigation deals with the lower section of the River Havel (NE Germany), a canalised lowland river with a very flat floodplain. This river is highly polluted by nutrients from urban areas (Berlin) and a long chain of river lakes produces high concentrations of phytoplankton. Due to the high proportion of planktogenic detritus, it was hypothesised that greater quantities of nutrient-rich fine particulate organic matter (FPOM) would be deposited in floodplain waters located further from the main channel than has been reported for large rivers. The total nutrient, P-binding metal (Fe, Al, and Mn), organic and inorganic carbon (TOC, TIC) contents of the upper organic sediment layer (0–4 cm) were analysed in samples collected from 48 floodplain water and river sites. The sediment bulk density, calculated on the basis of dry mass content and loss on ignition, was used to characterise the waters according to the impact of the river current. The results showed that the variability of total phosphorus (TP) was best explained by the variability of total iron (TFe, R² = 0.52). The floodplain water sediments could clearly be separated into two groups on the basis of the sediment particle size composition, and of the element ratios TOC:TP, TN:TP, primarily TFe:TP. The sediments from impounded river sections and from mouth sections of backwaters (approx. 100–200 m) were characterised by a high proportion particles from the 0.1 to 0.5 mm size fraction and by homogeneous, low TFe:TP, TOC:TP and TN:TP ratios. Sediments from distal sections of backwaters and of oxbow lakes tended to exhibit high element ratios with much higher variability. These results were interpreted as a spatially limited impact of the river on the floodplain water sediments. Contrary to expectation, the phosphorus bound in river seston was predominantly and very homogeneously deposited in the impounded river and mouth sections of backwaters. This implies that the inundation of the floodplain waters during spring floods seems to have no important material impact on the sediments in waters of low hydrological connectivity with the River Havel.     

乙草胺对东北黑土铅形态及生物有效性的影响

通过清洁黑土和污染黑土的形态分级分析和黑土铅对乙草胺的响应实验,对东北黑土铅形态及其乙草胺使用的生物有效性响应进行了研究．结果表明,清洁和污染黑土中的铅均主要以有机质-硫化物结合态铅和残渣态铅这2种生物有效性低的形态为主,而水溶态铅和可交换态铅这2种具生物学活性的铅含量则相对较低．与清洁黑土相比,污染黑土中具生物学活性的铅含量所占总铅含量的比例有所上升．随着农业活动中施入高剂量的乙草胺这一除草剂,黑土中具生物学活性的水溶态和可交换态铅的含量则大幅上升．据分析,其原因是铅在与乙草胺交互作用过程中来自有机质．硫化物结合态铅释放对有效态铅的贡献．     

Chemical Speciation and Mobility of Some Trace Elements in Vermicomposted Fly Ash

Fly ash, a by-product of power plants, is currently being used extensively in India for soil amendment. However, the toxic elements sorbed in the fly ash might pose a serious threat to the environment, causing soil and water contamination. Vermicomposting of fly ash is expected to reduce the contamination of toxic trace metal and could improve the mobility of essential trace element. The current study is focused on characterizing different species of trace metals and their bio-availability in the vermicomposted fly ash (VCFA)-treated lateritic soil. As a fertilizer, different doses (10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%) of VCFA were applied to the soil and sequential extraction was carried out to analyze trace elements. In the different fractions, Cr < Mn < Pb < Fe were found to be sorbed more to Fe-Mn oxide-bound fractions, whereas Cd, Cu, and Zn were bound more to organic-matter-bound fractions; Cr and Ni were mostly bound to residual fraction. The Fe-Mn oxides and organic-matter-bound fractions may be bio-available with the appropriate environmental condition, whereas chromium and nickel mostly associated with residual fraction are very difficult to release into the environment. The mobility factor index showed the midlevel substitution (i.e., 10% to 30% of VCFA to lateritic soil) to be beneficial as these doses increased the bio-availability of some essential trace elements and restricted the availability toxic trace metals in the soil. At higher doses, the toxic trace metals were found to be released in the bio-available form, which could be hazardous to the environment.     

Temporal-spatial distribution,environmental significance and release risks of phosphorus in the sediments of a tropical mountain’s deep drinking water reservoir in southeastern China

In this study, the fractionation and distribution of phosphorus (P) in the core sediments of the Shanmei reservoir were investigated by using the chemical extraction method in directions for the first time in order to understand its bio-availability, adsorption characteristics, potential release and environmental significance. The results of the study showed that P in the sediments mainly consisted of inorganic phosphorus (IP) and that IP mainly consisted of non-apatite phosphorus (NAIP). The horizontal and temporal distributions of the P fractions were different from each other, but the vertical distribution was similar, which indicated a trend of stabilization after falling. The content of total phosphorus (TP), IP, organic phosphorus (OP), NAIP, apatite phosphorus (AP), and bio-available phosphorus (BAP) in the sediments during the three seasons ranged from 193.85 to 1664.05 mg·kg^?1, 126.90 to 1127.70 mg·kg^?1, 43.74 to 669.29 mg·kg^?1, 57.62 to 937.07 mg·kg^?1, 32.58 to 250.71 mg·kg^?1, and 41.06 to 871.82 mg·kg^?1, respectively. NAIP contents in the sediments accounted for more than 50% of TP. Using an analysis from three aspects, the eutrophication risk index (ERI) could be used to assess the potential release of P in the sediments, and there was a high release risk of P in the sediments in the Shanmei reservoir.     

Efficiency of a constructed wetland for retention of sediment-associated phosphorus

A constructed wetland (2.1 ha; 2% of catchment area) in southeast Sweden, in a catchment with 35% arable land on clay soils, was investigated with respect to phosphorus (P) retention, focusing on particulate P (PP) and sediment accretion. The aims were to (i) estimate P retention and identify the dominating retention processes; (ii) investigate how well estimates of P retention based on inflow-outflow measurements compared with the amount of P accumulated in the sediment. In- and outflow of P was measured during 4 years with continuous flow measurements and flow-proportional weekly composite samples. P in the accumulated sediment was estimated based on core samples and analyzed using sequential fractionation. Total P load during 4 years was 65 kg ha⁻¹ and intensive sampling events detected 69% as PP. Based on inflow-outflow estimates the mean P retention was 2.8 kg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, or 17%, but the amount of P accumulated in the inlet zone equated 78% of the TP load. This discrepancy showed the need to add studies of sediment accumulation to inflow-outflow estimates for an improved understanding of the P retention. The dominating P forms in the sediment were organic P (38%) and P associated with iron or aluminum (39%), i.e., potentially mobile forms. In areas colonized by Typha latifolia, the amount of P in the upper sediment layer (390 kg) was more than double the total P load of 136 kg. Cycling and release in those areas is a potential source of P that deserves further attention.     

Release of sediment-phosphorus and the influence of algal growth on this process

Summary Phosphorus release from undisturbed sediment cores was studied in a continuous flow system. Various lakes and polder ditches were compared with each other. Peaty lakes exchanged their particulate phosphorus rapidly with the overlying water as compared with other sediment types. This makes them suitable for phosphorus load reduction measures. There was found to be no simple direct relation between chemically extracted phosphorus fractions and the phosphorus released during the experiment. Algal growth in the overlying water stimulated the release of phosphorus.     

Phosphorus budget in the Marne Watershed (France): urban vs. diffuse sources,dissolved vs. particulate forms

We evaluated the P sources (point, diffuse), through a nested watershed approach investigating the Blaise (607 km²), dominated by livestock farming, the Grand Morin (1202 km²), dominated by crop farming, and the Marne (12,762 km²), influenced by both agriculture and urbanization. Fertilizers account for the main P inputs (>60%) to the soils. An agricultural P surplus (0.5–8 kg P ha^–1 year^–1) contributes to P enrichment of the soil. The downstream urbanized zone is dominated by point sources (60%, mainly in dissolved forms), whereas in the upstream basin diffuse sources dominate (60%, mostly particulate). Among the diffuse sources (losses by forests, drainage and runoff), losses by runoff clearly dominate (>90%). P retention in the alluvial plain and the reservoir represents 15–30% of the total P inputs. Dissolved and particulate P fluxes at the outlet of the Marne are similar (340 and 319 tons of P year^–1, respectively). The Blaise sub-basin receives P from point and diffuse sources in equal proportions, and retention is negligible. The Grand-Morin sub-basin, influenced by the urbanized zone receives, as does to the whole Marne basin, 60% of P inputs as point sources. The total particulate phosphorus in suspended sediments averaged 1.28 g P kg^–1, of which about 60% are inorganic and 40% organic P. Particulate phosphorus exchangeable in 1 week and 1 year (³²P isotopic method) accounts for between almost 26% and 54% of the particulate inorganic phosphorus in the suspended sediment and might represent an important source of dissolved P, possibly directly assimilated by the vegetation.     

Internal eutrophication of restored peatland stream: The role of bed sediments

The improvement of site hydrology is a major determinant of the success or failure of wetland restoration. Unfortunately, the influence of new hydrological conditions on wetland chemistry and nutrient cycling is often ignored or simply not monitored. This study assessed how changes in the composition of stream sediments that occurred after peatland stream restoration affected the pool and bioavailability of phosphorus (P) stored on the stream floor. The studied watercourses were located in the Narew River valley, NE Poland. They were restored in 2002 by excavating channels about 4-6 m wide and 1-1.5 m deep. Channels were cut through a peat layer to basal sands that underlay the organic deposits. Due to fallacious assumption about the high stability of peat stream banks, the banks were not modelled or protected by any technical measures to eliminate potential slump and erosion.Within a few years of the completion of the restoration project, peat bank failures led to the substantial deposition of organic material onto the floor of the newly created water-bodies. This resulted in an increase in the mean total phosphorus (TP) concentration in the sediment from 19 μmol g⁻¹ to more than 35 μmol g⁻¹ as well as an increase in both the concentration and pool of potentially mobile P fractions. A potential for the release of P was confirmed by the change in the concentration of P fractions that has been recorded over the summer period. Between June and October 2008 their content in the top 1-cm layer diminished from 134.1 mmol m⁻² to 100.6 mmol m⁻², implying an average net release of P of about 0.3 mmol m⁻² day⁻¹.This suggests that examined sediments primarily act as a highly dynamic transformer system, being the sink for particulate organic and mineral forms of P and serving as the net source of bioavailable (soluble reactive phosphorus) SRP.