Effect of sediment on fluvial phosphorus and aquatic water quality.

Phosphorus (P) is an essential element in the aquatic environment that is closely linked to river sediment dynamics. The effect of sediment on P has been widely recognized, but has been limited to specific scenarios without considering its relation to water quality management under different sediment scenarios. Water samples (1139 samples) collected from eight rivers across China were analyzed and a consistent comet-shaped relationship between sediment and dissolved P (DP), the component most directly impacting aquatic ecosystems, was observed.