Phosphorus Release from Sediments in a Riparian Phragmites australis Community at the Estuary of the Chikugogawa River, Western Japan

Akira Haraguchi

Faculty of Environmental Engineering, The University of Kitakyushu, Hibikino 1-1, Wakamatsu, Kitakyushu 808-0135, Japan..

DOI: 10.4236/ajps.2012.37114                

Abstract

In order to determine the contribution of aquatic macrophyte communities on nutrition to sustain the high primary productivity of an estuary aquatic community, we analyzed the process of phosphorus release from sediments in aquatic macrophyte community in the estuary of the Chikugogawa River, South-Western Japan. Vertical profile of PD^3-₄ concentration and redox potential (Eh) of pore water in sediments were investigated within and outside the Phragmites australis community. Sediment horizon lower than 23 cm layer from the surface showed anaerobic (Eh < -200 mV) in the P. australis community, whereas sediment was constantly oxic (Eh > 0 mV) up to 50 cm depth outside the P. australis community without organic matter accumulation. Non-vegetated sediment with organic matter accumulation showed anoxic profile as vegetated site. PD^3-₄ concentration in anaerobic parts of sediment showed higher than oxic parts, and higher PD^3-₄ concentration in sediment pore water corresponded to sulfur deposition in sediment. Sulfate ion supplied from the sea water is reduced under the anoxic condition and S^2- reacts with water-insoluble phosphorus salts e.g. Fe₃(PO₄)₂ or AlPO₄ and Fe₂S₃ or Al₂S₃ precipitates. Thus PD^3-₄ was mobilized and released under anoxic sediments. P. australis supply organic litter to sediment and the sediment within the P. australis community showed anoxic after aerobic decomposition of organic substances in sediment. Incubation of sediments under N₂ atmosphere accumulated PD^3-₄ in the medium corresponding to low Eh (< -300 mV) showing that PD^3-₄ was released under anaerobic condition. Estuary P. australis community has function for supplying PD^3-₄ to river water.

Keywords

Phosphorus Mobilization; Productivity; Redox Potential; Riparian Plant Community; Salt Marsh

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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