In this seminar, I will discuss some recent and ongoing research on phosphorus (P) cycling in a variety of lake systems. Phosphorus is an essential nutrient element, and its anthropogenic enrichment is generally considered to be the main driver of cultural eutrophication that, in the worst case, leads to the occurrence of algal blooms, the intensification of hypoxia and the die-off of aquatic life. The research presented show that excess external P loading causes the accumulation of reactive chemical P forms in the bottom sediments of lakes (Update 1). The slow release of this reactive legacy P back to the water column can significantly delay a lake’s recovery following the reduction of external P loading (Update 2). Moreover, climate change can magnify additional in-lake mechanisms that increase P availability to a lake’s biota, as illustrated for Lake Erie (Update 3). Finally, salinization of lakes, a common occurrence in (sub)urban areas, can exacerbate eutrophication symptoms, especially oxygen depletion in the deeper waters, even when P abatement practices are implemented (Update 4).            

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