Eutrophication: the role of sediments

Sediments of eutrophic lakes and ponds are rich in nutrients. A part of these accumulated nutrients is a potential source for the primary production in the water body. Before radical and expensive management measures are taken for the reduction of eutrophication, the contribution of the internal nutrient source to the sustainment of algal growth should be considered. This presentation aims at contributing to the insight with respect to phosphate because in The Netherlands a phosphate reduction program is under consideration. Successively the quantities and chemical characteristics of sediment phosphates, the magnitude and mechanisms of sediment release and the effects of reduction programs will be discussed. Part of the information presented has been acquired in a joint research program with the Environmental Section, Delta Service, Rijkswaterstaat