Relationships between phosphorus fractionation and major components in sediments using the SMT harmonised extraction procedure.

Leaching procedures are one of the most widely used approaches to determine phosphorus fractionation in soils and sediments. Within the framework of the Standards, Measurements and Testing programme (SMT), an extraction protocol, based on the Williams procedure, was harmonised in order to improve reproducibility among laboratories. The so called SMT protocol was then used for the certification of a reference material (BCR 684) in five phosphorus fractions: non-apatite, apatite, inorganic, organic and total phosphorus. In the present paper, the SMT protocol has been applied to sediments of different composition (organic, calcareous and Fe-rich sediments). The P, Al, Ca, Fe and Mn contents extracted in each fraction were determined. The relations among these elements and the organic matter content in the samples were studied. The results obtained support the SMT protocol as a valuable tool for the study of phosphorus fractionation in sediments.