The interdependence of phosphorus content with iron and manganese
concentrations in sediments of the Prut and Nistru Rivers has been
established. The methodology of sampling in accordance with
recommendations of the American Geological Agency has been used. The
Fe and Mn contents have been analyzed by the flame atomic absorption
spectroscopy. In order to establish the phosphorus content in water, bottom
sediments and their interstitial water, the methodology and procedures
recommended by World Health Organization have been applied.
The recorded ratio of total iron and phosphorus amounts at sediments
surface along the Prut and Nistru Rivers is, in the most cases, greater than
15. This fact indicates that in sediments there is enough iron to control the
flux of phosphorus from sediments in the water horizon. In interstitial water
the Fediss:o-P ratio has been greater than 3.6, suggesting that the
sediments have a high affinity to phosphates, immobilized them. In bottom
sediments of the Prut and Nistru Rivers the manganese and iron contents
have positively correlated with the phosphorus forms amount.