Evaluation of Phosphorus Enrichment in Groundwater by Legacy Phosphorus in Orchard Soils with High Phosphorus Adsorption Capacity Using Phosphate Oxygen Isotope Analysis.

Long-term phosphorus (P) fertilization results in P accumulation in agricultural soil and increases the risk of P leaching into water bodies. However, evaluating P leaching into groundwater is challenging, especially in clay soil with a high P sorption capacity. This study examined whether the combination of PO4 oxygen isotope (δ18OPO4) analysis and the P saturation ratio (PSR) was useful to identify P enrichment mechanisms in groundwater. We investigated the groundwater and possible P sources in Kubi, western Japan, with intensive citrus cultivation. Shallow groundwater had oxic conditions with high PO4 concentrations, and orchard soil P accumulation was high compared with forest soil. Although the soil had a high P sorption capacity, the PSR was above the threshold, indicating a high risk of P leaching from the surface orchard soil. The shallow groundwater δ18OPO4 values were higher than the expected isotopic equilibrium with pyrophosphatase. The high PSR and δ18OPO4 orchard soil values indicated that P leaching from orchard soil was the major P enrichment mechanism. The Bayesian mixing model estimated that 76.6% of the P supplied from the orchard soil was recycled by microorganisms. This demonstrates the utility of δ18OPO4 and the PSR to evaluate the P source and biological recycling in groundwater.

Leaching and fractionation of phosphorus in intensive greenhouse vegetable production soils.

Greenhouse vegetable production systems use excessive phosphorus (P) fertilizer. This study is set out to look into the P fractionation, mobility, and risk of P leaching in ten greenhouse soils. The mean P concentrations in leachates varied from 0.4 to 1.6 mg l-1 (mean of 30 days of soil leaching). Between 5.7 and 31.0 mg kg-1 of P was leached from soils during 30 days of column leaching. Organic matter (OM) and Olsen-extractable P (Olsen P) correlated strongly with cumulative P leached after 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 days of leaching. The high correlation between OM and Olsen P with cumulative P leached at 5 days of leaching suggests that in future leaching experiments, the leaching period should be extended to 5 days of leaching. The first two P fractions correlated significantly with the total P leached in the primary days of leaching. The pH had little effect on P leaching but had a significant impact on soluble and exchangeable P fraction, suggesting that P mobility would increase in these calcareous greenhouse vegetable soils as pH rose. The calculated change point (194 mg kg-1) was high, indicating that a high percentage (40%) of the studied greenhouse soils had exceeded the change point. In conclusion, due to the high degree of P saturation and change point in greenhouse vegetable soils, P mobilization is a significant risk, and the findings can be used to provide future direction for fertilizing greenhouse vegetable soils.

A three-dimensional perspective of phosphorus retention across a field-buffer strip transition.

Vegetated filter strips (VFS) act as buffer zones between fields and water bodies that are supposed to retain incoming runoff, sediment, and nutrients. The factors that govern nutrient retention and cycling in VFS are complex and act in all three dimensions. A key element that determines VFS effectivity is flow type, e.g., sheet vs. concentrated flow. These aspects are, however, often insufficiently accounted for in VFS research and design recommendations. In this study, we attempt to tackle these shortcomings by examining the nutrient distribution in detail at two field-VFS transitions, applying a three-dimensional sampling array together with extensive laboratory analyses. Concentrated runoff was the dominant type we found and we argue that flow convergence is the norm rather than the exception. Further complicating this issue is that entry locations of runoff may vary, calling for more sophisticated sampling designs. Overall trends were similar across the analyzed nutrient fractions (different K- and P-pools) and there were distinct trends of decreasing nutrients along the longitudinal (from the field to the VFS) and vertical planes. The horizontal plane (from outside to inside the area of concentrated flow) showed mostly inconclusive or U-shaped gradients. Both sites were similar and close to each other, nevertheless, there were significant differences that affected nutrient retention in the VFS which were linked to site-specific factors. The spatial extent (i.e., width) is often considered the main variable in VFS designs. However, other VFS traits such as vegetation type and structure, as well as external factors such as field topography and the severity of erosive events are equally important and should be attributed more significance.

Improved phosphorus availability and reduced degree of phosphorus saturation by biochar-blended organic fertilizer addition to agricultural field soils.

Phosphorus (P) availability and loss risk are linked to P species; however, their alternations in the soil amended with biochar-blended organic fertilizer is not well known, particularly under contrasting soil properties and land management. In this study, the variance of soil P species extracted by sequential chemical extraction (SCE) and 31P NMR techniques, as well as the degree of P saturation (DPS), were investigated throughout three paddy and three vegetable fields. These fields were amended with three different fertilizers at the same P application rate: chemical fertilizer (CF), organic fertilizer substitution (sheep manure/biogas slurry, SM/BS), and biochar-blended organic fertilizer substitution (BSM/BBS). Results showed that the BSM/BBS and SM increased the total P contents by 7.5% and 5.9% (TP) and available P contents by 30.1% and 19.2% (AP), but decreased the DPS values by 19.4% and 11.7%, compared to the CF treatment. Yet, the BS decreased the TP and AP contents but increased the DPS values across the experimental sites. In the BSM/BBS amended soils, high AP contents were due to the increased inorganic P (NaHCO3-Pi), while the increased organic P (monoester and DNA) induced low DPS values and reduced soil P loss risk. Our study highlights that biochar-blended organic fertilizer is an effective agronomic way for improving P availability and decreasing P loss risk via the alteration of soil P species.

Nano and micro manure amendments decrease degree of phosphorus saturation and colloidal phosphorus release from agriculture soils.

The manure fertilizer increases the phosphorus (P) saturation of soils and the colloidal P release to water bodies. Manure of different particle-sizes may have different effects on colloidal P release by soil, and to date there is limited knowledge on colloidal P release from soils amended with different size manures. We produced sheep micro- (SMicro) and nano-manure (SNano), and poultry micro- (PMicro), nano-manure (PNano) from bulk samples by wet fractionation method. The fractionation reduced the P contents of micro- and nano-manures, and enriched them in ash and calcium, iron (Fe), magnesium, and aluminum (Al) phosphate minerals compared with the bulk manures. The degree of P saturation (DPS) in Anthorsol and Cambisol was decreased (SMicro, 17.6 and 17.2 %; SNano, 14.5 and 13.3 % and PMicro, 19.0 and 19.7 mg kg-1; PNano, 17.0 and 14.3 mg kg-1) and released less colloidal P (SMicro, 3.12 and 3.78 mg kg-1; SNano, 3.01 and 3.56 mg kg-1 and PMicro, 3.34 and 3.92 mg kg-1; PNano, 3.21 and 3.65 mg kg-1) than the soils receiving the bulk manures. The decrease in colloidal P was correlated with less DPS in both soils amended with micro and nano manures. That is, the only measurable effect of manure particle size on colloidal P release from the amended soils was due to chemical fractionation during separation of the size fractions. It was suggested that nano and micro manures were the effective approach to reduce colloidal P release from manure amended soils.

A common agricultural soil test can identify legacy P hotspots in a drainage ditch network.

Agricultural soils have accumulated considerable phosphorus (P) reserves along the transport pathways within land-water continuum. Where P concentrations are excessive compared to the soil P sorption capacity, dissolved soluble P can leach to waterbodies. A phosphorus saturation ratio (PSR = P/(Fe + Al)) can be used to classify high and low risk soils based on a commonly applied Mehlich-3 soil test. PSR has been used for acid mineral soils, but in this study it was applied to sediments and drainage ditch bankside samples. Previous published data was converted to PSR and compared to P availability measurements. The results confirmed earlier findings, that a PSR threshold of 0.1 can delineate high and low P risk sites. By quantifying the amount of P in excess to the threshold, legacy P hotspots could be located in the network which would act as an additional source of P inputs to waters. In the study site, two soils contained over 80% of the excess legacy P, presenting a localized long-term risk to water quality. The findings support using the cost effective Mehlich-3 extraction to identify hotspots with most susceptible soil-P to losses and quantify the amount of potentially leachable legacy P.

Comparative risk assessment of phosphorus loss from "deep phosphorus stocks" in floodplain subsoils to surface waters.

Phosphorus (P) loss from soil may trigger freshwater eutrophication and endanger supply with drinking water regionally. The present paper aims at encouraging discussion and development of sophisticated strategies for risk assessment of P loss from soils of riparian buffer zones (RBZ) as a prerequisite for targeted and effective mitigation of such P losses and their effects on freshwater eutrophication. We use data from a case study on RBZ soils in Germany to compare the performance of different environmental indicators of a risk for P loss from soil. Our data suggest that RBZ soils are temporarily sinks or sources for P. The spatial hotspots of P loss are the topsoils and the deep P stocks (labile P enriched in RBZ subsoils below on average 87.5 cm depth). We discuss four aspects to be considered conceptually and methodologically in the assessment of a risk for P loss from RBZ soils: (1) spatial heterogeneity and spatial bias; (2) temporal heterogeneity and temporal bias; (3) conceptual bias caused by different dynamics of individual P fractions; and (4) adequacy of threshold values. To minimize bias, we propose to assess risk for P loss from RBZ soils using a geospatial, temporally resolved sampling strategy, site-specific or regional threshold values, and a P fractionation approach. For this purpose, we introduce PdHCl as a risk indicator, which is not susceptible to very short-term dynamics (in contrast to water-soluble P).

Effect of organic and inorganic phosphorus fertilizers on phosphorus availability and its leaching over incubation time.

The use of organic and inorganic phosphorus (P) fertilizers in agricultural soils is very common, and few studies have been conducted to study the effect of different P sources on relative P extractability (RPE) and leaching using different P extractants and degree of P saturation (DPS), over a long period of time. Thus, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of incubation time and different P sources on RPE, DPS, and to predict the concentration of P leached from soil using different P extractants. In order to achieve these goals, nine sewage sludges (SSs), two biochars, animal manure (AM), poultry manure (PM), wheat residue (WR), diammonium phosphate (DAP), and triple superphosphate (TSP) were added to the soil as much as 100 mg P kg-1 in a 163 days incubation experiment. On average across all amendments and incubation periods, Mehlich-3 extractable P (M3EP) gave the highest mean RPE (42.9%, SE = 7.1%), with water-extractable P (WEP) the lowest (4.6%, SE = 0.93%), and Olsen-extractable P (OEP) (38.3%, SE = 6.3%) in between. Among SSs and based on average across of all incubation periods, soils treated with Shiraz and Takestan SSs were the least soluble source of P, while the highest soluble source of P were soils treated with Kermanshah and Tehran SSs. The results indicated that soil samples taken 16 days following the addition of amendments should reflect agronomic and environmental purposes aiming to assess available and the potential P loss from agricultural soils. The split line model perfectly fitted to the relation between OEP and M3EP (r = 0.93). The DPSs were calculated and the P leaching rate was estimated. Based on OEP, the soils treated with TSP and DAP were at high risk, the medium risk was for soils treated with Kermanshah, Saveh, Tehran, Rasht, Sanandaj, and Isfahan SSs, and PM. Control soil, and soils treated with WR were at no risk, and the soils treated with Arak, Shiraz, and Takestan SSs, ABC, WBC, and AM were classified as low risk.

Risk of phosphorus losses from Andosols under fertilized pasture.

Fertilization of grassland pastures may be a non-point pollution source in the Azores archipelago, despite the high phosphorus (P) retention of Andosols. To evaluate the risk of P desorption, representative Andosols samples (0-15 cm) were subdivided in five layers and different P pools were measured. The risk of P unloading into waters was assessed by the degree of phosphorus saturation (DPS), and by the P concentration in equilibrium solutions (0.01 M CaCl2). The higher contents in the superficial layers suggest P accumulation due to pasture overfertilization. The organic P represented about 54% of the total P, with an overall average of 2.66 g Pt/kg. Despite being above the agronomic threshold, the soil with the highest average mean values of extractable inorganic P, 77 mg POlsen/kg and and 73.7 mg PAL/kg, is still below environmental thresholds and none of the soils had DPS values above 25%, which is the critical value associated with eutrophication of surface waters. Similarly, all the P concentrations in the equilibrium CaCl2 solutions were below the critical limits. Therefore, P desorption from these soils did not seem to be the main process responsible for effective waterbodies eutrophication in the Azores. Since mineral fertilizers are applied superficially, the hypothesis of their direct runoff during rainfall events, even before their complete dissolution and interaction with the soil matrix, must be considered. Consequently, P fertilization with deep-banding systems may be the alternative to the interdiction of fertilizers in the most sensitive and hilly areas of the watersheds.

Enhancement of phosphorus storage capacity of sediments by coastal wetland restoration, Yellow River Delta, China.

Un-restored (R0) and restored (in 2006 (R2006) and in 2002, (R2002)) coastal wetlands were selected to study phosphorus (P) storage capacity and the risk of P loss in the Yellow River Delta (YRD). The results showed that the maximum P sorption capacity (Qmax) in the wetland sediments varied between 201.8-1168.6 mg kg-1; the average value was 576.2 mg kg-1. Qmax increased with increasing time since restoration (R2002 > R2006 > R0). The eutrophication risk index (ERI) ranged between 0.27-2.07% and decreased with increasing time since restoration, but the relationship was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). A correlation analysis demonstrated that Feox, Mg, and Alox are the main P sorption agents in wetland sediments, whereas TOC, pH, and clay particles have an important effect on P sorption and release. The analysis suggests that we should restore degraded coastal wetlands to help reduce the P load to offshore waters.

Environmental Soil Phosphorus Threshold under No-Tillage and Swine Manure Application

Abstract Swine manure is applied in agricultural fields as a source of nutrients for plant growth, however, excessive application over the years can promote soil phosphorus (P) accumulation. The objective of this study was to establish the environmental soil P threshold based on the degree of P saturation (DPS), as well, to evaluate the soil P storage capacity. The experiment was carried out in an Oxisol (sandy clay loam texture), under no-tillage and crop rotation. Treatments consisted of four annual doses of liquid swine manure (0, 100, 200, and 300 m3 ha-1 year-1), and three doses of mineral fertilizer (0, 50, and 100% of the crop nutrients requirement), in a randomized block with split-plot design (four replications). Soil P content was analyzed by PMehlich-1, PCaCl2, water-soluble P (WSP) and total P. The application of swine manure and mineral fertilizer increased soil P contents mainly at 0-10 cm depth. The DPS corresponding to the change point was 14.9% at depth 0-10 and 8.6% at depth 0-20 cm with WSP and 18.7% at 0-10 cm and 8.9% at 0-20 cm depth with PCaCl2. The lowest change point value was DPS 8.6% which corresponds to 43 mg kg-1 of PMehlich-1, so, in practical terms, we suggest this value as the environmental soil P threshold. The soil P storage capacity indicated negative values with the higher doses of swine manure and mineral fertilizer which increases the vulnerability of P loss by surface and subsurface hydrological transfer pathway.

Phosphorus saturation and superficial fertilizer application as key parameters to assess the risk of diffuse phosphorus losses from agricultural soils in Brazil.

In Brazil, a steady increase in phosphorus (P) fertilizer application and agricultural intensification has been reported for recent decades. The concomitant P accumulation in soils potentially threatens surface water bodies with eutrophication through diffuse P losses. Here, we demonstrated the applicability of a soil type-independent approach for estimating the degree of P saturation (DPS; a risk parameter of P loss) by a standard method of water-soluble phosphorus (WSP) for two major soil types (Oxisols, Entisols) of the São Francisco catchment in Brazil. Subsequently, soil Mehlich-1P (M1P) levels recommended by Brazilian agricultural institutions were transformed into DPS values. Recommended M1P values for optimal agronomic production corresponded to DPS values below critical thresholds of high risks of P losses (DPS=80%) for major crops of the catchment. Higher risks of reaching critical DPS values due to P accumulation were found for Entisols due to their total sorption capacities being only half those of Oxisols. For complementary information on soil mineralogy and its influence on P sorption and P binding forms, Fourier transformation infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic analyses were executed. FTIR analyses suggested the occurrence of the clay minerals palygorskite and sepiolite in some of the analyzed Entisols and the formation of crandallite as the soil specific P binding form in the investigated Oxisols. Palygorskite and sepiolite can enhance P solubility and hence the risk of P losses. In contrast, the reshaping of superphosphate grains into crandallite may explain the chemical processes leading to previously observed low dissolved P concentrations in surface runoff from Oxisols. To prevent high risk of P losses, we recommend avoiding superficial fertilizer application and establishing environmental thresholds for soil M1P based on DPS. These measures could help to prevent eutrophication of naturally oligotrophic surface waters, and subsequent adverse effects on biodiversity and ecosystem function.

Long-term manure application effects on phosphorus speciation, kinetics and distribution in highly weathered agricultural soils.

Phosphorus (P) K-edge XANES and Fe K-edge EXAFS spectroscopies along with sequential P chemical fractionation and desorption kinetics experiments, were employed to provide micro- and macro-scale information on the long-term fate of manure application on the solid-state speciation, kinetics and distribution of P in highly weathered agricultural soils of southern Brazil. Soil test P values ranged from 7.3 up to 16.5 times as much higher than the reference soil. A sharp increase in amorphous Fe and Al amounts were observed as an effect of the consecutive application of manures. Whereas our results showed that the P sorption capacity of some manured soils was not significantly affected, P risk assessment indices indicated that P losses should be expected, likely due to the excessive manure rates applied to the soils. The much higher contents of amorphous Fe and Al (hydr)oxides (55% and 80% increase with respect to the reference soil, respectively) in manured soils seem to have counterbalanced the inhibiting effect of soil organic matter on P sorption by creating additional P sorption sites. Accordingly, the newly created P sorbing surfaces were important to prevent an even larger P loss potential. Phosphorus K-edge XANES lent complimentary hints on the loss of crystallinity and transformation of originally present Fe-P minerals into poorly crystalline ones as an effect of manuring, whereas Fe K-edge EXAFS provided insights into the structural changes underwent in the soils upon manure application and soil management.