Objective To reveal the differences in nutrient characteristics between deposited sediment and native soil within the water-level fluctuation zone (WLFZ) of the Three Gorges Reservoir, thereby providing a scientific basis for ecological restoration and management of the WLFZ. Methods Taking the silty WLFZ of the Three Gorges Reservoir as the study area, samples of deposited sediment and native soil were collected to analyze particle composition and nutrient contents, including total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP). A comprehensive nutrient index (CNI) was calculated for both sediment and soil samples using the weighted sum method, and their differences in nutrient characteristics were comparatively analyzed. Results 1) The median particle diameter (d₅₀) of deposited sediment in WLFZ ranged from 5.57 to 10.29 μm with an average value of 8.54 μm, significantly smaller than those of native soil, which were 10.97-19.57 μm and 15.67 μm (p<0.01). Along the longitudinal direction of reservoir channel, the sediment particles exhibited a pronounced fining trend, while the spatial variation in soil particle composition was not significant. 2) The average mass fractions of TOC, TN, and TP in deposited sediment of the WLFZ were 11.34, 1.83, and 0.63 g/kg, respectively. Among them, TOC and TN mass fractions were significantly higher than those in native soil (4.23 and 0.73 g/kg) (p<0.01), while the TP content showed no significant difference. The C∶N, C∶P, and N∶P ratios of sediment were 6.26, 18.50, and 2.96, respectively. Among them, the C∶P and N∶P ratios were significantly higher than those of soil (3.23 and 1.65) (p<0.01), while the C∶N ratio exhibited no significant difference. 3) Significant differences were observed in the CNI between deposited sediment and soil in the WLFZ (p<0.01). Among them, the average CNI of the deposited sediment was 0.50, classified as Grade Ⅲ, while that of the soil was 0.28, classified as Grade Ⅳ. 4) The nutrient characteristics of deposited sediment in the WLFZ were significantly correlated with its particle composition, while no statistically significant correlation was observed between the nutrient characteristics and particle composition of soil. Conclusion There are significant differences in nutrient characteristics between deposited sediment and soil in the WLFZ of the Three Gorges Reservoir, with erosion and deposition processes being the main driving factors for these differences.
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