Seasonal hypoxia enhances sediment iron-bound phosphorus release in a subtropical river reservoir

Dams worldwide commonly accelerate the eutrophication of reservoirs. While the seasonal hypoxia in deep reservoirs is widely acknowledged, there is limited research on its impact on benthic phosphorus (P) cycling and P fraction release from the reservoir sediments. Here we show that seasonal hypoxia enhances sediment P release and P fluxes at the sediment-water interface (SWI) which might alter P dynamics in deep reservoirs. We conducted a detailed measurement of sediment P fractions through the SEDEX approach, combined with a labile P gradient analysis using the diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) technique to understand P cycling patterns in sediments during the transition period from spring (oxic) to late summer (hypoxic) conditions. The sediment P pool was predominantly composed of iron-bound phosphorus (FeP, 76–80 %), primarily due to the widespread occurrence of lateritic red soil (rich in Fe2O3/MnO2) in subtropical areas. More organic-P was observed in summer compared to spring. A significant increase in labile P occurred at the depth of 0–4 cm and 0–1 cm in spring and summer, respectively, where sediment P release was primarily governed by the reduction of FeP and the generation of S2−. A higher apparent fluxes of phosphate across the SWI were observed in summer characterized by higher temperature and lower oxygen levels. The current results suggest that seasonal hypoxia was a crucial factor affecting P cycling and diffusion in deep reservoirs. These findings present important implications for the ecology and management of the watershed-coast ecosystem.