Microbially Induced Soil Colloidal Phosphorus Mobilization Under Anoxic Conditions

Understanding the behavior of colloidal phosphorus (P_coll) under anoxic conditions is pivotal for addressing soil phosphorus (P) mobilization and transport and its impact on nutrient cycling. Our study investigated P_coll dynamics in acidic floodplain soil during a 30-day flooding event. The sudden oxic-to-anoxic shift led to a significant rise in pore-water P_coll levels, which exceeded soluble P levels by more than 2.7-fold. Colloidal fractions transitioned from dispersed forms (<220 nm) to colloid-associated microaggregates (>220 nm), as confirmed by electron microscopy. The observed increase in colloidal sizes was paralleled by their heightened ability to form aggregates. Compared to sterile control conditions, anoxia prompted the transformation of initially dispersed colloids into larger particles through microbial activity. Curiously, the 16S rRNA and ITS microbial diversity analysis indicated that fungi were more strongly associated with anoxia-induced colloidal release than bacteria. These microbially induced shifts in P_coll lead to its higher mobility and transport, with direct implications for P release from soil into floodwaters.