Mechanism of phosphorus release from the sediment-water interface in Xiamen Bay

The adsorption/desorption of phosphorus across the sediment-water interface is the main mechanism that controls the buffering capacity of DRP in coastal and estuarine water. Determination by three processes revealed that: 1) DRP flux from early diagenesis in surface sediment isF _p ^Dia =31.9μg/(m²·d), which is only 1/1600 of the ammonia released; 2) at normal temperature and in the long term, the TDP released by adsorption/desorption across the sediment-water interface is a function of the major environmental factors; and 3) based on the determined SODR and assumed average water depthH(m) and residence timet _R (d), the maximum flux of DRP can be estimated. Presented at International Conference on Marine Coastal Eutrophication. Bologna (Italy), 1990. and supported by a National Science Foundation Grant.