This book deals with the processes constituting the cycles of the phosphate and nitrogen compounds in sediment and the phosphate equilibria between the sediment and the overlying water. Sediment, to a large extent, controls the P- and N concentrations and thus primary production. In most waters, too high concentrations of these compounds cause excessive growth of algae, causing so-called eutrophication. Abatement of this can only be achieved after a complete understanding of the quantitative role of sediment in the P- and N cycle.
Thus, for the phosphate cycle the following processes are evaluated:
-P-binding onto sediments, viz., onto iron hydroxide and calcium carbonate (limestone), -Fractionation of phosphate in relation to its bioavailability,
-Release processes under anoxic and oxic conditions, and their dependence on pH changes,
-Further items taken into account, including the influence of drying of sediment and its resuspension by wind.For the nitrogen cycle, the following are discussed:
-Ammonification of organically bound nitrogen,
-Nitrification and denitrification, including Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction,
-Links with other chemical elements are made.

Proceedings of the Joint Congress of Limnology and Oceanography held in Marseilles, June 26-29, 1989

Proceedings of the Joint Congress of Limnology and Oceanography held in Marseilles, June 26-29, 1989

Proceedings of an International Symposium held at Amsterdam, the Netherlands, September 6-10, 1976

This book deals with the processes behind cycles of the phosphate and nitrogen compounds in sediment and the phosphate equilibria between the sediment and the overlying water. In most waters, excessive concentrations of these compounds causes eutrophication: rapid, choking growth of algae. The chapters of this book probe the chemicals involved in considerable detail, and offer the complete understanding needed to remediate or prevent pollution problems.