Water management and climate changes increases the phosphorus accumulation in the small shallow estuary of the Palmones River (southern Spain)

To estimate the potential contribution of sediment bound phosphorus to the enhancement of production in a small shallow estuary (Palmones River) different fractions of sediment bound phosphorus were measured during two time periods (1987–1989 and 1993–1995). Following the first time period, construction of a dam decreased the discharge from the Palmones River catchment, while climate changes resulted in a severe drought which further decreased power discharge. The results show important biological and chemical changes in the sediment: during the latter time period net accumulation of 157 g P m−2 year−1, while the rate during the earlier period was 1.18 g P m−2 year−1.