Abstract: Phosphorus (P) release from sediments is one of the most important causes of lake eutrophication, while the activity of P is determined by P chemical
form. Due to its advantages in improving our knowledge about the P fractions in environmental samples, the ³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance (³¹P NMR) technology has received extensive attention. This paper summarized the current studies on the characterization, translocation, and transformation of P fractions in sediments by using this technology, and described the technical principles, classification, analytical procedures, and specific application fields of this technology. At present, the researches of sediment P by using ³¹P NMR technology were focused on the characterization of different P forms, the effects of microbes on the P translocation and transformation, and the quantitative analysis of different P fractions. The studies on the P-extracting agents and extraction methods were the hot topics as well. The potential issues and research trends about the application of ³¹P NMR technology in environmental samples were also discussed.

Key words: nuclear magnetic resonance, sediment, phosphorus fraction, translocation and transformation, extraction, aquatic organism, oxidative stress, hexavalent chromium, antioxidant system.