Replication Data for: Spatial patterns of sediment phosphorus contents and release in a deep clearwater lake undergoing rapid eutrophication

Eutrophication symptoms are increasingly observed in remote, clear-water lakes. We determined soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) concentrations and fluxes at 54 sites, to investigate phosphorus sources and dynamics in a deep, temperate clear-water lake, experiencing a fourfold increase in total phosphorus (TP) concentrations over the past decade. SRP fluxes from sediments were broadly similar in June and in October, with the highest fluxes generally observed in the deepest parts of all basins in October. Notably, littoral sediments contributed substantially to the overall P release, with average SRP fluxes higher in June (1736 kg yr⁻¹) compared to October (1182 kg yr⁻¹). The study revealed that SRP fluxes depend more on relative water depth within each basin than absolute depth of the whole lake. Our findings emphasize the spatial variability of SRP fluxes and underscore the importance of considering often overlooked littoral sediments when assessing P release dynamics in large freshwater systems.