Natural inactivation of phosphorus by aluminum in atmospherically acidified water bodies

0150356 - HBU-Z 20013071 RIV GB eng J - Journal Article
Kopáček, Jiří - Ulrich, K. U. - Hejzlar, Josef - Borovec, Jakub - Stuchlík, E.
Natural inactivation of phosphorus by aluminum in atmospherically acidified water bodies.
Water Research. Roč. 35, č. 16 (2001), s. 3783-3790. ISSN 0043-1354. E-ISSN 1879-2448
R&D Projects: GA ČR GA206/00/0063
Grant - others:EC EMERGE(XE) EVK1-CT-1999-00032; BMBF(DE) 02WT9315/0
Keywords : lakes and reservoirs * acidification * pH gradients
Subject RIV: DJ - Water Pollution ; Quality
Impact factor: 1.376, year: 2001

The transport of aluminum (Al) from acidified soils and its subsequent precipitation in the water body may control the in-lake phosphorus (P) cycling. This natural P-inactivation may be expected in any water body with elevated Al input and a pH gradient between its inlet and outlet. The pH gradient develops due to: (i) neutralization of acidic inflows after mixing with waters with undepleted carbonate buffering system, and/or (ii) the in-lake alkalinity generation dominated by biochemical removal of nitrate and sulfate. With the pH increasing towards neutrality, ionic Al species hydrolyze and form colloidal Al hydroxides (Al-part) with large specific surfaces and strong ability to bind orthophosphate from the liquid phase. Moreover, Al-part settles and increases the P sorption capacity of the sediment. The presence of Al-part on the bottom reduces orthophosphate release from sediments after its liberation from ferric oxyhydroxides during anoxia because Al-part is not sensitive to redox changes.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0047894