A comparison of fluvial sediment phosphorus (P) chemistry in relation to location and potential to influence stream P concentrations

Fluvial sediments are subject to cyclic submersion during changes in stream flow, which can affect their phosphorus (P) sorptive capacity. As fluvial sediments play a major role in determining P concentrations in stream flow, we compared the P chemistry of exposed stream bank and submerged bed sediments from an agricultural catchment in central Pennsylvania, USA. Total P concentration was greater in bank (417 mg kg(-1)) than bed sediments (281 mg kg(-1)), but because bed sediments contained more sand-sized material, they could release more P and support a higher solution P concentration (0.043 mg l(-1)) than bank sediments (0.020 mg l(-1)). Phosphorus release was a function of Mehlich-3 soluble Fe in stream sediments (r > 0.65), reflecting redox processes in the fluvial system. In contrast, P sorption maxima of bank and bed sediments were related to Mehlich-3 soluble Al (r > 0.78) and organic matter concentration (r > 0.79). Overall, our research suggested that erosion of bank sediments should contribute less P and may be a sink for P in the stream system compared with resuspension of bed sediment. However, bank sediments may have the potential to be a large source of P in downstream reservoirs or lakes, where increased microbial activity and reducing conditions may solubilise sediment-bound P.