Retention of nutrients in floodplains

Nitrogen and phosphorus transformations in floodplains are manifold and very intensive. However, the intensity of the processes depends very much on climatic and geomorphological conditions and also vegetation may play very important role. Probably the most important process responsible for nitrogen removal in floodplains is denitrification which takes place in anoxic/anaerobic soil and litter layers. Substantial removal of nitrogen may also occur via accumulation in the aboveground plant biomass. This process, however, does not remove nitrogen from the system unless the biomass is harvested. The most important process responsible for phosphorus retention in floodplains is sorption on sediment particles deposited during the flood. Removal via plant harvesting may also add to phosphorus removal