Dynamic sulfur–iron cycle promoted phosphorus mobilization in sediments driven by the algae decomposition

Direct evidence of the algae bloom in eutrophic freshwater lakes on sulfur cycle and the subsequent iron oxide reduction and the iron oxides-bound phosphate (Fe–P) release in sediments is lacking. In this study, microcosms experiment was carried out to investigate the dynamic variations of S, Fe and P species in the water column and sediments as well as the sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) abundance variation in the sediments during algae decomposition. The sulfate reduction was stimulated by the algae decomposition, which resulted in dramatic sulfate decline, sulfide increase and SRB growth. In addition, large amounts of acid volatile sulfide (AVS), pyrite sulfur (Pyrite–S) and elemental sulfur (S 0 ) accumulated in the sediment. In particular, the contents of sedimentary Fe(II) and Pyrite–S in surface sediments continuously accumulated until the end of the experiment. Moreover, the terminal Fe–P content reduced by 35.4% compared with the initial concentration at high algae density group. These results suggested the irreversible reduction of iron oxides and revealed iron chemical reduction mediated by sulfide during algae decomposition. In addition, the connection of sulfur–iron cycle and the significant promotion of Fe–P mobilization in sediments was established, which should be paid more attention in the eutrophic freshwater ecosystems.