A Dual Source of Phosphorus to Lake Sediments Indicated by Distribution, Content, and Speciation: Inle Lake (Southern Shan State, Myanmar)

Abstract

In this study, grab and core sediments from Inle lake were collected and analysed for their water and organic matter (O.M.) contents. Total phosphorus (TPSMT) and P fractions, namely inorganic-P (IP), organic-P (OP), P bound to Al, Fe and Mn oxy-hydroxides (Fe-P), and calcium-bound P (Ca-P) were determined by a sequential extraction procedure. TPSMT varied considerably (152–1980 mg/kg), with minimum concentrations detected at sites away from the main inflow rivers and maximum concentrations in the floating gardens area. In core sediments, TPSMT concentrations tended to decrease with depth, reaching values of <100 mg/kg. Concerning P forms, the overall abundance sequence in grab sediments was IP >> OP and Ca-P ≥ OP > Fe-P, whereas in core sediments it showed marked differences with depth and between sites. The relative abundance of the inorganic species (Ca-P, Fe-P) was controlled by the mineralogy of the sediments. While the TPSMT distribution pointed to an increased anthropogenic input, the relative abundance of P species provided information on the P origin, incorporation processes, and evolution over time. This information, combined with chemical and mineralogical data, permitted to identify two different P sources: the agricultural input in the floating gardens area and the detrital input related to soil erosion.