Molecular insights into the phosphorus cycling in Lake of the Woods, Canada and Lake Taihu, China: the binding forms

Anthropogenic inputs of phosphorus (P) from agricultural and urban activities, as well as sediment recycling (internal loading), have caused harmful algal blooms (HABs) in surface waters worldwide, including Lake of the Woods, Canada and Lake Taihu, China. HABs remain active in the Lake of the Woods and Lake Taihu even though point sources, such as direct and/or indirect municipal and industrial discharge of P loading have been drastically reduced over the past few decades. To address this problem, an improved understanding of P cycling, in terms of P species and binding forms and detailed molecular characterization is essential. Current methods (e.g. membrane filtration; calorimetric method coupled with sequential P extractions) for characterization P chemistry and/or transformation may seriously under predict the actual mobility of P at a site that has undergone restoration. Understanding phosphorus (P) speciation and binding forms and the mechanisms of P transformation especially to bioavailable phases at a molecular level is critical for accurate identification of external and internal P sources […]

Faculty Supervisor:

Maria Dittrich

Student:

Partner:

Nanjing University

Discipline:

Earth science

Sector:

Education

University:

University of Toronto Scarborough

Program: