Contribution of particulate phosphorus to runoff phosphorus bioavailability.
Runoff P associated with eroded soil is partly solubilized in receiving waters and contributes to eutrophication, but the significance of particulate phosphorus (PP) in the eutrophying P load is debatable. We assessed losses of bioavailable P fractions in field runoff from fine-textured soils (Cryaquepts). Surface runoff at four sites and drain-flow at two of them was sampled. In addition to dissolved molybdate-reactive phosphorus (DRP) losses, two estimates of bioavailable PP losses were made: (i) desorbable PP, assessed by anion exchange resin-extraction (AER-PP) and (ii) redox-sensitive PP, assessed by extraction with bicarbonate and dithionite (BD-PP). Annual losses of BD-PP and AER-PP were derived from the relationships (R2 = 0.77-0.96) between PP and these P forms. Losses of BD-PP in surface runoff (94-1340 g ha(-1)) were typically threefold to fivefold those of DRP (29-510 kg ha(-1)) or AER-PP (13-270 g ha(-1)). Where monitored, drainflow P losses were substantial, at one of the sites even far greater than those via the surface pathway. Typical runoff DRP concentration at the site with the highest Olsen-P status (69-82 mg kg(-1)) was about 10-fold that at the site with the lowest Olsen P (31-45 mg kg(-1)), whereas the difference in AER-PP per mass unit of sediment was only threefold, and that of BD-PP 2.5-fold. Bioavailable P losses were greatly influenced by PP runoff, especially so on soils with a moderate P status that produced runoff with a relatively low DRP concentration.
Uusitalo
Risto
R
MTT Agrifood Research Finland, FIN-31600, Jokioinen, Finland. risto.uusitalo@mtt.fi
Turtola
Eila
E
Puustinen
Markku
M
Paasonen-Kivekäs
Maija
M
Uusi-Kämppä
Jaana
J
D000837:Anion Exchange Resins; D001682:Biological Availability; D006801:Humans; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D014872:Water Movements; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D000837:Anion Exchange Resins; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D010758:Phosphorus