Sediment phosphorus characteristics in the clearwater state of Lake Mogan, Turkey

This study examined the vertical distributions of total phosphorus (TP) and phosphorus fractions, and the iron and organic matter, in the littoral sediment in a macrophyte‐dominated, clearwater state in Lake Mogan between September 2005 and August 2006. Benthic macroinvertebrates and total bacteria in the sediment also were determined. No clear seasonal or depth‐related (0–20 cm) patterns were found in sediment concentrations for the measured parameters. The phosphorus release was quantitatively very low, and a negative phosphorus release (–0.132 µg m−2 day−1) was measured during the summer months. The TP concentrations of the sediment samples ranged between 675.00 and 1463.80 µg g−1 dry weight (DW), and the trophic level of the lake was eutrophic. On average, inorganic phosphorus fractions comprised the largest fraction (63%), while organic‐bound phosphorus (Org ≈ P) constituted 37% of the TP in Lake Mogan. The most important phosphorus‐immobilizing factors are high iron content (14 200–47 750 µg g−1 DW), the sediment's clay content (47.80–51.80%), and an abundance of macrophytes at the sampling station. The low abundance of benthic macroinvertebrates (510–850 individuals m−2), which depend on sediments with high iron and low organic matter (5.42–13.30%), played a role in the sediment phosphorus retention. Although bacterial abundance in the surficial sediment appeared to be positively correlated to temperature, the overlying water did not experience anoxic conditions, supporting a state in which bacteria were able to retain phosphorus in their cell structures. Long‐term changes in the sediments of Lake Mogan must be monitored lake. In order to optimize the management of the lake, and to determine the longevity of a clearwater state following management measures and continued external phosphorus loading, long‐term changes in the sediments of Lake Morgan must be monitored.