Modeling phosphorus exchange between bottom sediment and water in tropical semiarid reservoirs

This study investigated phosphorus (P) dynamics in the sediment-water interface of three distinct reservoirs located in a tropical semiarid region. Sequential chemical fractioning of the P content in the sediment and controlled experiments of the sediment-water interface were performed to understand and model the effect of the different P fractions on the exchange dynamics under anoxic and oxic scenarios. The results revealed that the older the reservoir, the higher the amount of iron and aluminum-bound P in the sediment, and that this fraction was responsible for a 10-fold increase in P concentration in the water during anoxic conditions. After aeration, P in water decreased but did not return to its initial concentration. The most recently constructed reservoir showed the lowest P concentration in the sediment and dominance of the unavailable P fraction, resulting in no potential impact on water quality. Phosphorus release and precipitation rates were well described by zero- and first-order models, respectively. Reservoirs with high P availability in the sediment, not only released more phosphorus but also presented a lower precipitation rate, resulting in higher potential damage to water quality and making some in-lake treatment techniques potentially ineffective. [Display omitted] •Phosphorus (P) release potential was directly proportional to reservoir age.•Sediments rich in iron and aluminium-bond P may have higher impact on water quality.•P release rates were higher than precipitation rates.•Not all P released at the anoxic phase precipitated after oxic condition was reestablished.•Release and precipitation rates are well described by zero- and first-order models.