Ecological impact of other (non soluble reactive) phosphorus fractions

Phosphorus is an essential element for all life and is widely recognised as a key factor influencing the status of river and lake ecosystems. Much past research and monitoring work in these ecosystems has focused on an individual fraction of the total phosphorus pool, operationally termed soluble reactive phosphorus. However, an extremely wide range of non-soluble reactive forms of phosphorus may exist in fresh waters.

The objectives of this project were to -

• provide an independent assessment of the state of research knowledge regarding non-soluble reactive forms of phosphorus in rivers and lakes;
• identify key priorities for future research and monitoring work in this area;
• and consider the potential for development of a typology system to describe the ecological impacts of non-soluble reactive forms of phosphorus in rivers and lakes across the United Kingdom.

20/WW/20/9 CD