Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

The Phosphorus Cycle

The Phosphorus Cycle

Unlike carbon, water, and nitrogen, phosphorus is not present in the atmosphere as a gas. Instead, most phosphorus in the ecosystem exists as compounds, such as phosphate ions (PO43-), found in soil, water, sediment and rocks. Phosphorus is often a limiting nutrient (i.e., in short supply). Consequently, phosphorus is added to most agricultural fertilizers, which can cause environmental problems related to runoff in aquatic ecosystems.

Factors Affecting Solubility

Factors Affecting Solubility

Compared with pure water, the solubility of an ionic compound is less in aqueous solutions containing a common ion (one also produced by dissolution of the ionic compound). This is an example of a phenomenon known as the common ion effect, which is a consequence of the law of mass action that may be explained using Le Chȃtelier’s principle. Consider the dissolution of silver iodide:

Microbial Bioremediation of Uranium

Microbial Bioremediation of Uranium

Microorganisms play a critical role in the transformation and immobilization of uranium in contaminated environments through four main pathways: bioreduction, biosorption, bioaccumulation, and biomineralization. These mechanisms reduce uranium’s toxicity and prevent its migration through groundwater systems, offering sustainable approaches for in situ bioremediation.Bioreduction of UraniumBioreduction is driven by anaerobic bacteria such as certain strains of Geobacter and Shewanella, which use...

Roles of Electrolytes: Calcium and Phosphate

Roles of Electrolytes: Calcium and Phosphate

Calcium and phosphate are essential electrolytes in the human body, with calcium being the most abundant mineral. Around 99% of the body's calcium is stored in the skeleton and teeth, forming a crystal lattice of mineral salts in combination with phosphates. Calcium plays crucial roles in various bodily functions such as blood clotting, neurotransmitter release, muscle tone maintenance, and nervous and muscle tissue excitability.
The calcium concentration in blood plasma is primarily regulated...

Phosphate Buffer

Phosphate Buffer

The phosphate buffer system is a critical biological mechanism for maintaining pH stability in the body. This system operates primarily through two components: sodium dihydrogen phosphate (NaH2PO4), which acts as a weak acid, and sodium hydrogen phosphate (Na2HPO4), which serves as a weak base.
Sodium dihydrogen phosphate does not fully dissociate in neutral or acidic solutions. When a strong base, such as sodium hydroxide (NaOH), is introduced into the solution, sodium dihydrogen phosphate...

Key Elements for Plant Nutrition

Key Elements for Plant Nutrition

Like all living organisms, plants require organic and inorganic nutrients to survive, reproduce, grow and maintain homeostasis. To identify nutrients that are essential for plant functioning, researchers have leveraged a technique called hydroponics. In hydroponic culture systems, plants are grown—without soil—in water-based solutions containing nutrients. At least 17 nutrients have been identified as essential elements required by plants. Plants acquire these elements from the atmosphere, the...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

A global dataset and map of soil phosphorus retention / sorption for assessing phosphorus use efficiency and loss to water.

Scientific data·2026

Same author

An improved global database and model of plant available soil phosphorus.

Scientific data·2026

Same author

A do-it-yourself water quality sensor network to elucidate contaminant signatures and improve land management advice.

Scientific reports·2026

Same author

Quantifying a different way of doing research in the Our Land and Water National Science Challenge.

Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand·2025

Same author

Gaps in environmental and social evidence base are holding back strategic action on our national food system.

Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand·2025

Same author

Are there clear benefits from diversification of land use: a review and preliminary meta-analysis?

Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 23, 2026

Optimized Procedure for Determining the Adsorption of Phosphonates onto Granular Ferric Hydroxide using a Miniaturized Phosphorus Determination Method

Optimized Procedure for Determining the Adsorption of Phosphonates onto Granular Ferric Hydroxide using a Miniaturized Phosphorus Determination Method

Published on: May 18, 2018

Minimising phosphorus losses from the soil matrix.

Richard W McDowell¹

¹AgResearch, Invermay Agricultural Centre, Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel, New Zealand. richard.mcdowell@agresearch.co.nz

Current Opinion in Biotechnology

|April 3, 2012

Summary

Agricultural intensification increases phosphorus (P) loss, impairing water quality. Identifying resilient areas is key to mitigating P runoff and protecting water resources proactively.

Area of Science:

Environmental Science
Agricultural Science
Soil Science

Background:

Agricultural intensification elevates phosphorus (P) loss from land, negatively impacting water quality.
P loss is influenced by runoff dynamics and P availability, which are affected by soil retention capacity and P inputs.
Timing of P application relative to runoff events significantly exacerbates P losses.

Purpose of the Study:

To outline strategies for mitigating phosphorus loss in agricultural systems.
To emphasize the importance of maintaining a near-zero farm P balance and agronomic optimum.
To highlight the cost-effectiveness of targeting critical source areas for P loss mitigation.

Main Methods:

Farm P balance (inputs-outputs) assessment.

More Related Videos

Measuring Phosphorus Release in Laboratory Microcosms for Water Quality Assessment

Measuring Phosphorus Release in Laboratory Microcosms for Water Quality Assessment

Published on: July 22, 2019

A Protocol for Collecting and Constructing Soil Core Lysimeters

A Protocol for Collecting and Constructing Soil Core Lysimeters

Published on: June 6, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 23, 2026

Optimized Procedure for Determining the Adsorption of Phosphonates onto Granular Ferric Hydroxide using a Miniaturized Phosphorus Determination Method

Optimized Procedure for Determining the Adsorption of Phosphonates onto Granular Ferric Hydroxide using a Miniaturized Phosphorus Determination Method

Published on: May 18, 2018

Measuring Phosphorus Release in Laboratory Microcosms for Water Quality Assessment

Measuring Phosphorus Release in Laboratory Microcosms for Water Quality Assessment

Published on: July 22, 2019

A Protocol for Collecting and Constructing Soil Core Lysimeters

A Protocol for Collecting and Constructing Soil Core Lysimeters

Published on: June 6, 2016

Identification and targeting of critical source areas (CSAs) for P loss.

Proactive identification of P-resilient areas within farming systems.

Main Results:

Maintaining a farm P balance near zero is the primary mitigation step.
Targeting CSAs is more cost-effective than broad-scale mitigation strategies.
Increasing intensification necessitates proactive identification of resilient areas.

Conclusions:

Mitigation strategies must adapt to increasing agricultural intensification.
A proactive approach focusing on P-resilient areas is crucial for long-term water quality protection.
Integrating P balance management and CSA targeting offers a robust framework for reducing agricultural P runoff.