Related Experiment Videos
Particulate phosphorus and sediment in surface runoff and drainflow from clayey soils
R Uusitalo1, E Turtola, T Kauppila
1Agricultural Research Centre of Finland, FIN-31600 Jokioinen, Finland. risto.uusitalo@mtt.fi
Journal of Environmental Quality
|April 5, 2001
Summary
Particulate phosphorus (PP) in agricultural runoff, especially desorbable forms, significantly contributes to algal-available phosphorus in both surface and subsurface waters from clayey soils.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Soil Science
- Water Quality
Background:
- Phosphorus (P) loss from agricultural soils is a major environmental concern.
- Subsurface drainflow is increasingly recognized as a significant pathway for phosphorus loss.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare phosphorus forms in surface and subsurface runoff.
- To assess the algal availability of particulate phosphorus (PP) in runoff.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed 91 water-sample pairs from two clayey soils for TSS, TP, DRP, and AER-P.
- Calculated PP, desorbable particulate phosphorus (PPi), and unavailable phosphorus (PUP).
- Examined 137Cs activity and particle-size distribution in soils and water samples.
Main Results:
- Particulate phosphorus (PP) was the dominant P fraction in runoff waters.
- Only 7% of PP was desorbable by anion exchange resin (AER), but this fraction constituted 47% of potentially bioavailable P.
- Suspended soil material in drainflow and surface runoff had similar PPi concentrations.
Conclusions:
- Desorbable PP from topsoil is a crucial source of algal-available phosphorus in both surface and subsurface runoff from clayey soils.
- Understanding PP dynamics is essential for managing phosphorus loss and preventing eutrophication.