Internal phosphorus loading from lake sediments sustains eutrophication for decades after external nutrient inputs are reduced. While numerous control technologies have been developed, their relative effectiveness has not been systematically quantified across technology categories. This study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of six major internal phosphorus loading control strategies, integrating 613 effect sizes from 120 peer-reviewed studies (155 eligible). Effect sizes were pooled using a random-effects model, and heterogeneity was explored through subgroup analyses and meta-regression. The overall pooled log response ratio (lnRR) was − 1.25, corresponding to a mean phosphorus reduction of approximately 71%. In-situ capping achieved the highest mean effect size (lnRR = − 1.81), yet this estimate was based on only 2 studies. Chemical inactivation, supported by the largest body of evidence (226 effect sizes), achieved a mean lnRR of − 1.35 (∼74% reduction), followed by aeration and oxygenation (−1.29; ∼72%), combined measures (−1.11; ∼67%), submerged macrophyte restoration (−0.83; ∼57%), and dredging (−0.62; ∼46%). Among combined strategies, chemical inactivation paired with macrophyte restoration was the most extensively studied and achieved peak flux reductions exceeding 99% under optimized conditions. Treatment effectiveness varied 1.4-fold across measurement metrics, with overlying water soluble reactive phosphorus showing the strongest response. Meta-regression identified pH, dissolved oxygen, water depth, and sediment Al:P stoichiometry as significant moderators. Laboratory studies overestimated field performance by approximately 13 percentage points. High heterogeneity (I2 = 89.2%) reflected the diversity of technologies and environmental settings, and funnel plot analysis indicated minor publication bias. These findings provide the first cross-category quantitative comparison of internal phosphorus loading control technologies and support a two-phase staged remediation framework integrating chemical stabilization with ecological restoration.
