Sequential Fractionation of Phosphorus in Coastal surface sediment of Southern Caspian Sea (2013)

The amount of phosphorus and its fractions in the sediment of Caspian Sea in autumn 2013 was assessed using a sequential extraction and UV-Vis Spectrophotometer technique. Five sedimentary phosphorus reservoirs were measured, namely loosely sorbed phosphorus (NH4Cl–P), iron associated phosphorus (BD–P), calcium bound phosphorus (HCl–P), metal oxide bound phosphorus (NaOH–P) and Organic bound phosphorus. 36 samples from four stations (Anzali, Tonekabon, Nowshahr and Amirabad) and three depths (5, 10 and 20 m) were colected. Result showed that the rank order of different forms of inorganic and total phophorous extracts was Ca-P>Org-P>Fe-P>Al-P>Loosely-P. Organic matter of sediment was increased because of Mnemiopsis leidyi existence which secrete of mucus with high amount of Org-P.

Keywords:

Phosphorus , Surface Sediment , sequential extraction , Caspian Sea