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Phosphorus stored in lake sediments is an inner nutrient source and can be released into overlying water to exacerbate algal blooms. A simulated microcosm of Dianchi Lake was built to investigate phosphorus release from sediments to overlying water and its effect on the growth of Microcystis aeruginosa. The sediments of Dianchi Lake had a total phosphorus (TP) content of 1.7-1.8 mg g with Ca bound phosphorus (Ca-P, 50-54 %) and organic phosphorus (Org-P, 28-32 %) as the main fractions. The sediments released 8 % of TP into the overlying water with Fe/Al bound phosphorus (Fe/Al-P, 26 %) and Org-P (65 %) being the main fractions released. The phosphorus concentration of the overlying water increased from 0.14-0.16 to 0.28-0.33 mg L. The biomass density of M. aeruginosa was positively correlated ( R = 0.825) with the concentration of orthophosphate, which was the predominant bioavailable phosphorus fraction for algal growth. Org-P can be partly utilized by M. aeruginosa but will not cause a bloom. A good understanding of the geochemical cycles of phosphorus is needed for regulating phosphorus release from sediments and thereby reducing the risk of cyanobacterial blooms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]