Phosphorus in the sediment of the Loosdrecht lakes and its implications for lake restoration perspectives

The role of sediment in the phosphorus cycle of a peaty eutrophic system, the Loosdrecht lakes, was investigated. A reduction in the external phosphorus load to the system from 3.3 to 1.0 mg per m2.d took place in 1984. The effect of phosphorus release from the sediment was studied. Between 1984 and 1990 diffusive release in aerobic conditions at 20C decreased from 1.0 to 0.3 mg per m2.d. Inorganic phosphorus generation due to mineralization during summer was much higher than the measured rate of diffusive release. The effects of various restoration measures on the phosphorus cycle were simulated using a simple descriptive model. There are 43 references.