Recycling of internal phosphorus during cyanobacterial growth and decline in a eutrophic lake in China indicated by phosphate oxygen isotopes

Understanding phosphorus recycling in eutrophic lakes is the basis for pollution control. In this study, we analyzed phosphorus fractions, phosphate oxygen isotopes (δ18Op) in iron-bound phosphorus (Fe–P), authigenic phosphorus (Auth-P), detrital phosphorus (Detr-P), and physicochemical indexes at the water–sediment interface to study the recycling of internal phosphorus during the annual cyanobacterial life stage in a eutrophic lake, Lake Chaohu, China. Increased Fe–P in sediments from the cyanobacterial decline to the benthic stage indicated the deposition of newly formed iron-bound phosphorus and the enriched δ18OFe–P indicated that these phosphates were absorbed to ferric oxides derived directly from the cyanobacterial cells (enriched δ18Op). From benthic to the initial growth stage, depletion of δ18OFe–P indicated that these phosphates were derived mainly from the hydrolysis of organic phosphorus (depleted δ18Op). Increased Fe–P in sediments from the initial growth stage to algal blooms indicated a net deposition of phosphorus, and the depletion of δ18OFe–P indicated similar phosphates from the hydrolysis of organic phosphorus. From benthic to the blooms stage, enrichment of δ18OAuth-P suggested phosphates from cyanobacterial remains or transformation of bioavailable phosphorus. Stable Detr-P and δ18ODetr-P in sediments during the cyanobacterial life stage indicated the resistance of Detr-P to biogeochemical alteration. Spatially, δ18OFe–P was more depleted in the western lake than in the middle and eastern lakes, likely due to its high level of Fe–P from domestic sewage, with newly formed Fe–P (enriched δ18OFe–P) only contributing minor proportions. The δ18OAuth-P in the eastern lake was depleted, indicating that the hydrolysis of organic phosphorus served as a phosphate source. Enriched δ18ODetr-P indicated that more phosphates from domestic sewage (enriched δ18Op) contributed to the formation of Detr-P in West Lake Chaohu. The present study provides novel insight into the recycling of internal phosphorus in eutrophic lakes. [Display omitted] •Internal phosphorus recycling during the cyanobacterial life cycle was studied.•Various phosphorus fractions at the sediment–water interface were analyzed.•Enrichment of δ18OFe–P indicated phosphate release from the cyanobacterial cells.•Depletion of δ18OFe–P indicated phosphate release from the hydrolysis of organic P.•Stable δ18ODetr-P indicated the resistance of Detr-P to biogeochemical alteration.