Characteristics of phosphorus sorption on surface sediments in three shallow lakes in the Yangtze River Basin

Phosphorus sorption (P sorption) on surface sediments in three shallow lakes in Yangtze River Basin was studied. The results indicated that P sorption mainly occurred within 2 h during the fast sorption process. P sorption on the sediments could be well fitted to the Langmuir isotherm equation modified with the native adsorbed phosphorus (NAP). The P sorption capacity and NAP varied from different sediment samples, depending on the site\|specific environmental conditions. And the P sorption capacities were closely related to the specific surface area,the contents of iron/aluminum (oxy) hydroxides and organic matter. The correlation coefficients of on thes components were 092, 098, 078 and 092, respectively. The contents of iron/aluminum (oxy) hydroxides were also closely correlated with the contents of organic matter. P sorption was slightly affected by Zeta potential of sediments. 