Application of chemical fractionation and X-ray powder diffraction to study phosphorus speciation in sediments from Lake Hongfeng, China

Based on the techniques of sequential extraction and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), the distribution characteristics of phosphorus speciation were investigated in 13 sediment samples from Lake Hongfeng, an important drinking water source for Guiyang with a typical karstic limestone environment. The total phosphorus (TP) concentrations in the sediments ranged from 973.36 to 2334.18 mg/kg with a mean concentration of 1635.87 mg/kg (dry weight), and it was evident that the phosphorus level in the sediments was high compared with other eutrophic lakes such as Lake Chaohu and Lake Xihu. The results of the two methods, sequential extraction and XRD, demonstrated the presence of different phosphorus species in the lake sediments. Being compatible with local geophysical characteristics, the results of sequential extraction techniques indicate that the average percentages of dissolved phosphorus (DP), aluminum-bound phosphorus (Al-P), iron-bound phosphorus (Fe-P), calcium-bound phosphorus (Ca-P) and organic phosphorus (OP) in the sediments were 0.40%, 7.06%, 5.07%, 45.48% and 38.49%, respectively. Notably, the concentrations of inorganic phosphorus (IP) were higher than those of OP, and the IP consisted primarily of Ca-P. The high concentrations of Ca-P may temporarily control the release of phosphorus from the sediments because it is a relatively stable, inert and non-bioavailable phosphorus fraction. The results of XRD analysis indicated that, among phosphorus species, AlPO4 was found in all sediment samples at relatively high concentrations. Moreover, the TP concentrations in the sediments were high; thus the release potential and bioavailability of phosphorus in the sediments was important. Further statistical analyses of the results revealed significant correlations between phosphorus species in the sediments with two extractable principal components and four selectable cluster levels allowing interpretation of possible origins of phosphorus loading and transformation mechanisms of phosphorus species. Furthermore, available remediation measures were briefly assessed for the lake while considering its distinct environmental features.