Vertical and temporal distributions of N and P in soil solution in aquatic-terrestrial ecotone (ATE) of Taihu Lake were investigated,
and the relations among N, P, ORP (oxidation reduction potential), TOC, root system biomass and microorganism were studied. As a
whole, significant declines in TN, NO3??-N, DON (dissolved organic nitrogen) and TP concentration in soil solution have occurred with
increase of the depth, and reached their minima at 60 cm depth, except for NH4
+-N, which increased with depth. The concentration
of TP increased gradually from spring to winter in the topsoil, the maximum 0.08 mg/L presented in the winter while the minimum
0.03 mg/L in spring. In the deeper layer, the concentration value of TP fluctuated little. As for the NO3??-N, its seasonal variation was
significant at 20 cm depth, its concentration increased gradually from spring to autumn, and decreased markedly in winter. Vertical
and temporal distribution of DON is contrary to that of NO3??-N. The results also show that the variation of N and P in the percolate
between adjacent layers is obviously di erent. The vertical variation of TN, TP, NO3??-N, NH4
+-N and DON is significant, of which the
variation coe cient of NO3??-N along the depth reaches 100.23%, the highest; while the variation coe cient of DON is 41.14%, the
smallest. The results of correlation analysis show that the concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus correlate significantly with TOC,
ORP, root biomass and counts of nitrifying bacteria. Most nutrients altered much from 20 to 40 cm along the depth. However, DON
changed more between 60 and 80 cm. Results show that soil of 0–60 cm depth is active rhizoplane, with strong capability to remove
the nitrogen and phosphorus in ATE. It may suggest that there exists the optimum ecological e ciency in the depth of above 60 cm in
reed wetland. This will be very significant for ecological restoration and reestablishment.