Abstract
Benthic fluxes of phosphate and phosphorus distribution in sediments from the southern Baltic Sea were investigated in spring and autumn in 2005 and 2007–2010. Strong spatial variability of phosphate fluxes was observed across the sediment-water interface. The highest values of phosphate flux from sediment (up to 37 μmol m−2 h−1), resulting from the high mineralization rate of organic matter and rapid phosphorus turnover due to macrofaunal activity and hydrodynamic conditions, were observed in the shallow area at depths ranging from 50 to 69 m. The rate of phosphate exchange in the transportation and accumulation bottom area with the water depth ≥72 m was several times lower (2.12–6.22 μmol m−2 h−1). In continuously hypoxic or anoxic sediments, phosphorus was preserved in the refractory organic form, and sediments were depleted of redox-dependent phosphorus forms. In shallow area with well oxygenated near-bottom water, phosphorus was present mainly in the calcium-bound form.