This book deals with the processes behind cycles of the phosphate and nitrogen compounds in sediment and the phosphate equilibria between the sediment and the overlying water. In most waters, excessive concentrations of these compounds causes eutrophication: rapid, choking growth of algae. The chapters of this book probe the chemicals involved in considerable detail, and offer the complete understanding needed to remediate or prevent pollution problems.

This Workshop was organized to assess the status of knowledge on the behaviour of phosphorus in sediments and to define gaps and reassess research strategies, particularly with respect to prevalent methodology and future approach; and to define gaps and reassess research strategies for water management measures in aquatic ecosystems, especially in relation to the release of phosphorus from the sediments and its impact on the functioning of the whole system.