Characteristics of phosphorus fractionated from the sediment resuspension in abrupt expansion flow experiments

Phosphorous (P) fraction characteristics in sediment resuspension were investigated under adequately hydrodynamic conditions. Four forms of P in overlying water, including dissolved inorganic P, dissolved total P, total P, and particulate P, and six fractions of P in suspended particulate matter (SPM), including loosely sorbed P (NH4Cl-P), redox-sensitive P (BD-P), aluminum-bound P (AlP), organic P (NaOH-nrP), calcium-bound P (Ca-P) and residual P (Res-P), were quantified, respectively. Different hydrodynamic conditions resulted in different P form changes. Four states could be ascribed: (1) P desorption by sediment and SPM, and P adsorption by overlying water; (2) P desorption by SPM, and P adsorption by overlying water; (3) P adsorption by SPM, and P desorption by overlying water; and (4) P equilibrium between SPM and overlying water. The contents of P in overlying water acquired peak values in the middle position of the vertical P distribution due to the combined actions of SPM and sediment. P fractions in SPM were in the following order: BD-P > NaOH-nrp > Ca-P > Al-P > Res-P > NH4Cl-P. BD-P in SPM frequently exchanged with P forms in overlying water. Resuspension was favorable to forming Ca-P in SPM.