Distribución espacial de fósforo en sedimentos superficiales del Lago de Valencia

The phosphorous spatial distribution in the surface sediments of the Valencia lake was determined, as well as the differences as function of grane size or fractions. The sediment samples were taken at 41 sampling stations located on the Valencia lake, Venezuela. The determination of the fractions was performed with sieves. Further, the phosphorous from Sediment samples was extracted with HCl 1M. The quantification was done using the technique of Murphy and Rilley for each one of the fractions. The grain size of the Valencia lake sediments is mainly clayey, strongly influenced by depth. The phosphorous is accumulated in highest proportion, at the thicker fractions, mainly fine and medium sands. The obtained concentrations were in the range of 500 y 15000 mgKg-1 of Phosphorous per fractions, and between 1000 and 4800 mgKg-1 in the whole sample. The major concentrations were found at the vicinity of the rivers Aragua, Turmero and Guacara, whose pass through rural zones besides the cities of Maracay and Valencia.