The role of microorganisms in mobilization and fixation of phosphorus in sediments

Cycling of phosphorus (P) at the sediment/water interface is generally considered to be an abiotic process. Sediment bacteria are assumed to play only an indirect role by accelerating the transfer of electron from electron donors to electron acceptors, thus providing the necessary conditions for redox-and pH-dependent, abiotic sorption/desorption or precipitation/dissolution reactions. Results summarized in this review suggest that From this we conclude that benthic bacteria do more than just mineralize organic P compounds. Especially in oligotrophic lakes, they also may regulate the flux of P across the sediment/water interface and contribute to its terminal burial by the production of refractory organic P compounds.