High phosphorus levels in lake sediments linked to water pollution.
The researchers studied phosphorus in lake water and sediments to understand how it affects water quality. They found that human activities, plants, and water flow influence phosphorus levels in sediments. Inorganic phosphorus was more common than organic phosphorus, with NaOH-P being the main form. The total phosphorus in water and sediments were related, especially NaOH-P and apatite P. Labile phosphorus at the water-sediment boundary plays a key role. This shows that the amount of phosphorus in lake sediments is linked to the water's phosphorus levels, which can help in treating polluted lakes.