title: Determination of phosphorus in natural waters: A historical review.
abstract: The aim of this paper is to introduce a virtual special issue that reviews the development of analytical approaches to the determination of phosphorus species in natural waters. The focus is on sampling and sample treatment, analytical methods and quality assurance of the data. The export of phosphorus from anthropogenic activities (from diffuse and point sources) can result in increased primary production and eutrophication, and potentially the seasonal development of toxic algal blooms, which can significantly impact on water quality. Therefore the quantification of phosphorus species in natural waters provides important baseline data for studying aquatic phosphorus biogeochemistry, assessing ecosystem health and monitoring compliance with legislation.
authors.affiliation: Biogeochemistry Research Centre, Plymouth University, Plymouth, Devon PL48AA, UK. Electronic address: pworsfold@plymouth.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Worsfold
authors.affiliation: Biogeochemistry Research Centre, Plymouth University, Plymouth, Devon PL48AA, UK; School of Chemistry, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: McKelvie
authors.affiliation: Pole Mer Bretagne Atlantique, 40 rue Jim Sévellec, 29200 Brest, France.
authors.forename: Phil
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Monbet
mesh_terms: D005068:Eutrophication; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis*; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D014867:Water; D010758:Phosphorus
keywords: Analytical methods; Natural waters; Phosphorus; Sample treatment; Sampling; Water quality