Nutrient retention capacity by the land/water ecotone soil of Lake Baiyangdian was studied by means of simulation in situ. The results from column experiments suggested that the standard capacity for phosphorus adsorption be less than P14 mg·kg -1 soil in order to meet the lake water quality regulation (P 0.1 mg·L -1 ). Thus the 9,333 hectares of ecotone around the lake could retain 1,245 tons phosphorus in the upper 50-cm soil without degrading the water quality. The amount was nearly 24 times large as that of taken by annual reed harvesting. The maximum capacity for phosphorus was measured as P 774 mg·kg -1 soil. The isothermal equation of phosphorus was also obtained. It was found that temperature had a significant effect on the transformation of nitrogen, and higher temperature would accelerated the nitrification rate. Nitrogen retention was conducted by the microbial activities in the soil and the uptake through aquatic vegetation. The research will benefit for better utilization of local ecotone and design of the planning project which aims to water eutrophication control.
