Nutrient distribution within and release from the contaminated sediment of Haihe River

We assessed nutrient characteristics, distributions and fractions within the disturbed and undisturbed sediments at four sampling sites within the mainstream of Haihe River. The river sediments contained mostly sand (> 60%). The fraction of clay was < 3%. Total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations ranged from 729 to 1922 mg/kg and from 692 to 1388 mg/kg, respectively. Nutrient concentrations within the sediments usually decreased with increasing depth. The TN and TP concentrations within the fine sand were higher than for that within silt. Sediment phosphorus fractions were between 2.99% and 3.37% Ex-P (exchangeable phosphorus), 7.89% and 13.71% Fe/Al-P (Fe, Al oxides bound phosphorus), 61.32% and 70.14% Ca-P (calcium-bound phosphorus), and 17.03% and 22.04% Org-P (organic phosphorus). Nitrogen and phosphorus release from sediment could lead to the presence of 21.02 mg N/L and 3.10 mg P/L within the water column. A river restoration project should address the sediment nutrient stock.