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Phosphate binding and P-release in the sediment of the eutrophic shallow Lake Bützow are described based on sediment profiles, particle size fractions and incubation experiments. Total phosphorus was about 15% higher in the upper 0.5 cm layer than in the 0.5–1 cm layer. Phosphorus binding varied with sediment depth. Hot P→NaOH and P→HCl were the dominant fractions in all sediment horizons down to 10 cm depth, with values ranging from 20 to 30%. The P→H2O, P→BD, o-P→NaOH and nr-P→NaOH decreased with depth. The P→BD contributed 21% to Tot-P in the horizon 0–0.5 cm and decreased by half in 1–2 cm. The greatest proportion of particles (35%) was found in the 100–200 μm fraction. This size fraction also accumulated most of the phosphate. Moreover, P-forms were differently distributed in the various particle sizes of the sediment. Sediment particles <40 μm can be resuspended by a wind velocity of 2 m s-1, whereby 17% of the Tot-P from the topmost sediment were transported into the water column. The proportions of released labile phosphate, organic phosphate and hydrolysable phosphate were higher, with values of 24, 33 and 26%, respectively. Dissolved P was released under oxic and anoxic incubation, but anoxic release was higher. Comparison of the results shows that the P-release under anoxic conditions was equal to the P-release by resuspension, but under anoxic conditions the release of bioavailable P was higher. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]