Phosphorus sorption capacity of the surface sediments are estimated by the phosphorus sorption index (PSI) and the degree of phosphorus saturation (DPS) of the sediments in the Lake Taihu, China.In addition, the spatial variability of phosphorus sorption capacity of the sediments is discussed by the geostatistical methods of Kriging griding.There are higher concentrations of oxalate extractable phosphorus, iron and aluminum in the sediments of northeastern Meiliang Bay and Wuli Lake, while they are lower in the sediments of southern Lake Taihu.The spatial variability of oxalate extractable phosphorus, iron and aluminum may be largely attributed to the inputs of wastewaters.The distribution of phosphorus sorption indices of the Taihu sediments are characterized by higher in the north, lower in the south, higher in the west, and lower in the east, etc., while the very reverse is the distribution of degree of phosphorus saturation.DPS are less than 20% in most lake areas except that it is more than 30% in the northwestern Meiliang Bay.The phosphorus sorption capacity may be mainly controlled by the amorphous iron and aluminum oxides/hydroxides, and also be affected by organic matter contents in the sediments.The P-induced lake eutrophication risk index (ERI) is developed as the percentage of DPS divided by PSI, and is applied on the assessment of eutrophication risk of the Lake Taihu.