Abstract: In this article, in order to understand the distribution characteristic of phosphorus nutrient and the status of the pollution of phosphorus in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze river,the characteristics of phosphorus distribution along mainstream Yangtze River were analysed. The concentrations of total phosphorus (TP), total dissolved phosphorus (TDP), total particulate phosphorus (TPP), soluble orthophosphate (SOP) in the surface, middle and bottom waters were detected on site at sampling sites (Wuhan of Hubei Province, Jiujiang of Jiangxi Province, Anqing of Anhui Province, Nantong, Zhenjiang, and Nanjing of Jiangsu Province, and Shanghai) from May 29 to June 7, 2014. Results revealed that the concentration of TP at each sampling site ranged from 0.15 mg/L to 0.25 mg/L; the average TP concentration in the downstream was usually higher than that in the upstream; and the average TP concentrations at the downstream left bank and right bank were usually higher than that at the central line, with the left bank higher than that at the right bank. The range of TDP concentrations was 0.02-0.13 mg/L, and the average concentration in the downstream was usually higher than that in the upstream of each sampling site. The range of TPP concentrations was 0.10-0.20 mg/L. The percentage of TPP in TP gradually decreased along the middle and lower reaches, but TPP was still the major contributor to TP in the Yangtze River. The distribution of TPP was very similar to that of chlorophyll-a, displaying a significant positive correlation between them. The range of SOP concentration was 0.02-0.11 mg/L, and the average concentration showed an increasing trend along the middle and lower reaches. SOP was a major component of TDP, accounting for more than 70%.In General, the various forms of phosphorus content is low in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River water, with good water quality.