Forms of phosphorus in sediments from the Goczałkowice Reservoir

The occurrence of Total P (P-Tot) and the mineral forms of P (P-Min) in sediments from Goczałkowice Reservoir were investigated using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES). The method is based on sequential extractions of the sediment samples, each releasing four forms of inorganic P: loosely bound P, P bound to Al (P-Al), P bound to Fe (P-Fe) and P bound to Ca (P-Ca). Sediment samples for studies presented in this work were collected in April, August and November of 2009 from four sites of the Goczałkowice Reservoir. Significant variations in the P forms with sediment grain size were observed. The most abundant form of inorganic P in the bottom sediment was P-Fe. Other P forms were as follows: P-Ca > P-Al > loosely bound-P. Moreover, P compounds were studied using 31P NMR. It was found that the predominant form was inorganic orthophosphate.