Several methods for analysis of dissolved total phosphorus in seawater were reviewed. Discussions were focused on UVirradiation and persulphate oxidation methods which are the most popular dissolved organic phosphorus determinationmethods presently. The compounds used for the phosphorus recovery test were categorized into three groups accordingto their chemical structure. It was found that low power UV irradiation can decompose POC or PC bonds efficientlybut may be inefficient for POP bonds. Heating-bath in acid condition is useful for decomposing POP bonds. Usingthe continuous flow analysis system (Auto-analyzer II), UV digestion and heating-bath, series experiments were carriedout based on the above analysis. Eleven model compounds were employed for the phosphorus recovery test and thefactors influencing the decomposition efficiency of dissolved compounds containing phosphorus were clarified. Finally,the optimal design for determination of dissolved total phosphorus in seawater based on the routine continuous flowanalysis system was presented. For the organic mono-phosphate, the recovery is more than 90% and a recovery of33%~51% was obtained for inorganic or organic polyphosphates. Up to now, this is the highest decompositionefficiency for dissolved phosphorus based on the continuous flow analysis system. Several methods for analysis of dissolved total phosphorus in seawater were reviewed. Discussions were focused on UVirradiation and persulphate oxidation methods which are the most popular dissolved organic phosphorus determinationmethods presently. The compounds used for the phosphorus recovery test were categorized into three groups accordingto their chemical structure It was found that low power UV irradiation can decompose POC or PC bonds efficiently but may be inefficient for POP bonds. Heating-bath in acid condition is useful for decomposing POP bonds. Using the continuous flow analysis system (Auto-analyzer II), UV digestion and heating-bath, series experiments were carriedout based on the above analysis. Eleven model compounds were employed for the phosphorus recovery test and thefactors influencing the decomposition efficiency of dissolved compounds containing phosphorus were clarified. in seawater based For the organic mono-phosphate, the recovery is more than 90% and a recovery of 33% ~ 51% was obtained for inorganic or organic polyphosphates. Up to now, this is the highest decompositionefficiency for dissolved phosphorus based on the continuous flow analysis system.