Phosphorus added to ponds rapidly disappears from solution.
Some of this dissipation is due to adsorption by phytoplankton,
but most phosphorus is removed through reaction with the
sediment to form iron and aluminium phosphate compounds.
This process is pH dependent. Applying lime to neutralise theacidic muds of ponds to pH 6.5 has been shown to increase
soluble phosphorus concentrations. This reflects the greater
solubility of phosphorus from muds at this pH. This may
enhance phytoplankton productivity and substantially increase
fish yields in limed fertilised ponds relative to unlimed fertilised
controls