Soil and surface runoff phosphorus relationships for five typical USA midwest soils

Optimizing phosphate fertilizer input to reduce phosphorus loss in rice-oilseed rape rotation

Identifying the major sources and critical periods of P loss from agricultural fields provides important guidance for reducing P loss. A rice-oilseed rape rotation with no P fertilization (NP, control), medium P fertilization (MP, 90 kg P₂O₅ ha^-1 season^-1), and high P fertilization (HP, 180 kg P₂O₅ ha^-1 season^-1) was conducted from 2019 to 2021 in the middle Yangtze River Basin. Runoff and leaching P losses were measured simultaneously using runoff event monitoring and a percolation device. Applying P fertilizer increased the P concentration in the field ponding water and percolation water of the rice-oilseed rape rotation. During the rice growing season, total P (TP), dissolved P (DP), and particulate P (PP) concentrations in the field ponding water and percolation water peaked 1 day after P was applied, and then decreased rapidly. After 10 days of fertilization, P concentration in the field ponding water of the MP treatment decreased to a minimum and stabilized, while the HP treatment extended this period to 20 days. The highest P concentration in percolation water was observed at the first sampling during the oilseed rape season, and then it continued to decrease. Inputting P fertilizer increased P loss by 55.0-109.9% compared to the NP treatment, with annual P losses of 0.89-1.10 kg P ha^-1, of which runoff loss accounted for 61.7-62.9%. Fertilization and precipitation resulted in varied P loss within and between seasons. Runoff from heavy precipitation during the rice season was the main source of P loss, while PP accounted for 54.7-77.6% of runoff P loss. The strong utilization of soil P by rice resulted in a lower demand for exogenous P fertilizer than oilseed rape. Excessive P input increased the soil P surplus and vertical migration. Therefore, reducing rice season P fertilizer inputs to achieve annual P balance in rice-oilseed rape rotation can effectively reduce soil P surplus and loss while ensuring crop P demand, and the initial 10 d after fertilization in the rice season was a critical period for reducing P runoff loss.

Phosphorus sorption and desorption as affected by long-term cover cropping at two soil surface depths

Phosphorus (P) loss from agricultural land is a persistent environmental challenge, and a better understanding of the impact of continuous cover crops (CCs) growth on soil P sorption and desorption characteristics is needed to inform mitigation strategies. This study investigated the impact of CC species on soil P pools, sorption characteristics, and dissolved reactive P (DRP) after 9 yr. Soil samples were collected at 0-to-2- and 2-to-4-cm soil depths from a silty clay loam Mollisol. Treatments included cereal rye (Secale cereal L.; CR), annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum, AR), oats/radish (Avena sativa L./Raphanus sativus L.; OR), and no CC (CN). A sorption experiment was done with varying P concentrations for 24 h equilibration, and sorption parameters were estimated using the Langmuir model. The DRP was estimated using sequential soil extraction by 0.01 M CaCl₂ for 5 h. Long-term CC significantly decreased P sorption maximum but increased binding energy relative to CN. Annual ryegrass significantly decreased soil water extractable P, Mehlich 3 P, and degree of P saturation relative to OR and CN at the 0-to-2-cm depth. Annual ryegrass and CR significantly decreased desorbed DRP by an average of 42 and 45% relative to CN and OR, respectively, at the 0-to-2-cm depth. These results demonstrated that long-term grass species decreased the concentrations of labile P pools and desorbed DRP at the soil runoff interaction zone. Therefore, planting of AR and CR should be promoted in fields susceptible to runoff DRP losses.

Tillage and Fertilizer Management Effects on Phosphorus Runoff from Minimal Slope Fields

Phosphorus fertilization can increase P losses in surface runoff, but limited information is available for fields with <2% slopes in the US Midwest. Our objectives were to determine the effects of tillage-fertilizer placement (no-till-broadcast, strip till-broadcast; or strip till-deep placement, -15-cm subsurface band) and fertilizer rate applied in the fall (0, 52, or 90 kg PO ha yr) on runoff P concentrations and loads in fields with <2% slopes near Pesotum, IL, during fall and spring simulation runoff events, and to measure corn ( L.) and soybean [ (L.) Merr.] grain yield. Across four simulated runoff events, deep placement reduced dissolved reactive P (DRP) loads by 69 to 72% compared with the broadcast treatments. A tillage-fertilizer placement × P rate interaction showed that DRP and total P (TP) concentrations remained low when P was deep placed, regardless of P rate, whereas concentrations increased with increasing P rate for the broadcast treatments, but no differences existed for bioavailable P (BAP) (α = 0.05). At one site, rainfall simulation in the spring versus fall increased runoff volumes but sharply decreased BAP concentrations. During fall runoff simulations, deep placement reduced TP loads, and greater TP loads occurred with the 90- than the 52-kg PO ha yr rate. Similarly, when P was broadcast in the fall, DRP and TP concentrations were greater than deep-placed P, but no treatment differences occurred in the spring. Deep banding P and K did not reduce crop yield but reduced runoff losses of P from flat fields compared with broadcast P applications, particularly at high rates of P application.

Vertical Stratification of Soil Phosphorus as a Concern for Dissolved Phosphorus Runoff in the Lake Erie Basin

During the re-eutrophication of Lake Erie, dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) loading and concentrations to the lake have nearly doubled, while particulate phosphorus (PP) has remained relatively constant. One potential cause of increased DRP concentrations is P stratification, or the buildup of soil-test P (STP) in the upper soil layer (<5 cm). Stratification often accompanies no-till and mulch-till practices that reduce erosion and PP loading, practices that have been widely implemented throughout the Lake Erie Basin. To evaluate the extent of P stratification in the Sandusky Watershed, certified crop advisors were enlisted to collect stratified soil samples (0-5 or 0-2.5 cm) alongside their normal agronomic samples (0-20 cm) ( = 1758 fields). The mean STP level in the upper 2.5 cm was 55% higher than the mean of agronomic samples used for fertilizer recommendations. The amounts of stratification were highly variable and did not correlate with agronomic STPs (Spearman's = 0.039, = 0.178). Agronomic STP in 70% of the fields was within the buildup or maintenance ranges for corn ( L.) and soybeans [ (L.) Merr.] (0-46 mg kg Mehlich-3 P). The cumulative risks for DRP runoff from the large number of fields in the buildup and maintenance ranges exceeded the risks from fields above those ranges. Reducing stratification by a one-time soil inversion has the potential for larger and quicker reductions in DRP runoff risk than practices related to drawing down agronomic STP levels. Periodic soil inversion and mixing, targeted by stratified STP data, should be considered a viable practice to reduce DRP loading to Lake Erie.

Spatiotemporal change of phosphorous speciation and concentration in stormwater in the St. Lucie Estuary watershed, South Florida

Phosphorous (P) concentration in stormwater runoff varies at different spatial and temporal scales. Excessive P loading from agriculture system into the St. Lucie Estuary (SLE) contributed to water quality deterioration in southern Indian River Lagoon. This study examines the spatial and temporal shifts of different P forms in runoff and storm water under different land use, water management, and rainfall conditions. Storm water samplings were conducted monthly between April 2013 and December 2014 in typical farmland and along the waterway (Canal C-24) that connects lands to the SLE. Concentrations of different P forms and related water quality variables were measured. Approximately 89% of the collected water samples contained total P (TP) concentrations exceeding the total maximum daily load (TMDL) level (0.081 mg L^-1). Concentrations of different P forms declined from agricultural field furrows to the canal and then increased from the upstream to the downstream in the canal where urban activities dominated land use. Total dissolved P (TDP) was the predominant form of TP, followed by PO₄-P. Speciation and concentrations of P varied with sites and sampling times, but were significantly higher in the summer months (from June to September) than in the winter. Water pH explained ∼20% of TP variation. Spatiotemporal variations of P concentrations and compositions provide a data-based guide for development of best management practices (BMPs) to minimize P export from the SLE watershed.

Global solutions to regional problems: Collecting global expertise to address the problem of harmful cyanobacterial blooms. A Lake Erie case study

In early August 2014, the municipality of Toledo, OH (USA) issued a 'do not drink' advisory on their water supply directly affecting over 400,000 residential customers and hundreds of businesses (Wilson, 2014). This order was attributable to levels of microcystin, a potent liver toxin, which rose to 2.5μgL-1 in finished drinking water. The Toledo crisis afforded an opportunity to bring together scientists from around the world to share ideas regarding factors that contribute to bloom formation and toxigenicity, bloom and toxin detection as well as prevention and remediation of bloom events. These discussions took place at an NSF- and NOAA-sponsored workshop at Bowling Green State University on April 13 and 14, 2015. In all, more than 100 attendees from six countries and 15 US states gathered together to share their perspectives. The purpose of this review is to present the consensus summary of these issues that emerged from discussions at the Workshop. As additional reports in this special issue provide detailed reviews on many major CHAB species, this paper focuses on the general themes common to all blooms, such as bloom detection, modeling, nutrient loading, and strategies to reduce nutrients.

Human exposure to PBDE and critical evaluation of health hazards

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are used in large quantities as flame-retardant additives in a number of commercial products. Biomonitoring data show that, in recent years, PBDE concentrations have increased rapidly in the bodies of wildlife and humans. Usually, PBDE levels in North America have been reported to be higher than those in Europe and Asia. Moreover, body burden of PBDEs is three- to ninefold higher in infants and toddlers than in adults, showing these last two age groups the highest levels of these compounds, due to exposure via maternal milk and through dust. Tetra-, Penta-, and Hexa-BDEs are the isomers most commonly found in humans. Based on studies on experimental animals, the toxicological endpoints of exposure to PBDEs are likely to be thyroid homeostasis disruption, neurodevelopmental deficits, reproductive changes, and even cancer. Experimental studies in animals and epidemiological observations in humans suggest that PBDEs may be developmental neurotoxicants. Pre- and/or postnatal exposure to PBDEs may cause long-lasting behavioral abnormalities, particularly on motor activity and cognition. This paper is focused on reviewing the current status of PBDEs in the environment, as well as the critical adverse health effects based on the recent studies on the toxic effects of PBDEs.

Mitigation options to reduce phosphorus losses from the agricultural sector and improve surface water quality: a review

The EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) obliges Member States to improve the quality of surface water and groundwater. The measures implemented to date have reduced the contribution of point sources of pollution, and hence diffuse pollution from agriculture has become more important. In many catchments the water quality remains poor. COST Action 869 was an EU initiative to improve surface water quality that ran from 2006 to 2011, in which 30 countries participated. Its main aim was a scientific evaluation of the suitability and cost-effectiveness of options for reducing nutrient loss from rural areas to surface waters at catchment scale, including the feasibility of the options under different climatic and geographical conditions. This paper gives an overview of various categories of mitigation options in relation to phosphorus (P). The individual measures are described in terms of their mode of action, applicability, effectiveness, time frame, environmental side-effects (N cycling) and cost. In total, 83 measures were evaluated in COST Action 869.

Evaluating causes of trends in long-term dissolved reactive phosphorus loads to Lake Erie

Renewed harmful algal blooms and hypoxia in Lake Erie have drawn significant attention to phosphorus loads, particularly increased dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) from highly agricultural watersheds. We use the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to model DRP in the agriculture-dominated Sandusky watershed for 1970-2010 to explore potential reasons for the recent increased DRP load from Lake Erie watersheds. We demonstrate that recent increased storm events, interacting with changes in fertilizer application timing and rate, as well as management practices that increase soil stratification and phosphorus accumulation at the soil surface, appear to drive the increasing DRP trend after the mid-1990s. This study is the first long-term, detailed analysis of DRP load estimation using SWAT.

Phosphorus adsorption and desorption potential of stream sediments and field soils in agricultural watersheds

Phosphorus release from stream sediments into water could increase P loads leaving agricultural watersheds and contribute to lag-time between implementation of best management practices and improvement in water quality. Improved understanding of P release from stream sediments can assist in setting water quality goals and designing stream monitoring programs. The objective of this study was to estimate the relative potential of sediments and soils to release P to stream water in two agricultural watersheds. Stream sediments were collected from banks, pools, riffles, and depositional features. Soils were sampled from wheat, row crop, pasture, and manure-amended fields. Sediments and soils were analyzed for equilibrium P concentration at zero net P sorption (EPC0), maximum P adsorption capacity (P(max)), anion exchange extractable P (P(lab)), and degree of P saturation. Dissolved reactive P (DRP) of stream water was monitored. Stream sediment EPC0 was similar to or less than EPC0 from field soils; however, P(lab) of stream sediments was three times less than field soils. Sediments were sandy and had low P(max) due to low oxalate-extractable Fe and Al, which could be explained by stream geomorphology. Manure-amended fields had the highest EPC0 and P(lab) due to continued inputs of manure-based P; however, conventionally fertilized fields also represented an important P source due to their vast extent. Stream water DRP was similar to EPC0 of sediments during base flow and similar to EPC0 of field soils during storm flow. These results indicate that sediments in these streams are a relatively minor P source.

Estimating dissolved reactive phosphorus concentration in surface runoff water from major Ontario soils

Phosphorus (P) loss from agricultural land in surface runoff can contribute to eutrophication of surface water. This study was conducted to evaluate a range of environmental and agronomic soil P tests as indicators of potential soil surface runoff dissolved reactive P (DRP) losses from Ontario soils. The soil samples (0- to 20-cm depth) were collected from six soil series in Ontario, with 10 sites each to provide a wide range of soil test P (STP) values. Rainfall simulation studies were conducted following the USEPA National P Research Project protocol. The average DRP concentration (DRP30) in runoff water collected over 30 min after the start of runoff increased (p < 0.001) in either a linear or curvilinear manner with increases in levels of various STPs and estimates of degree of soil P saturation (DPS). Among the 16 measurements of STPs and DPSs assessed, DPS(M3) 2 (Mehlich-3 P/[Mehlich-3 Al + Fe]) (r2 = 0.90), DPS(M3)-3 (Mehlich-3 P/Mehlich-3 Al) (r2 = 0.89), and water-extractable P (WEP) (r2 = 0.89) had the strongest overall relationship with runoff DRP30 across all six soil series. The DPS(M3)-2 and DPS(M3)-3 were equally accurate in predicting runoff DRP30 loss. However, DPS(M3)-3 was preferred as its prediction of DRP30 was soil pH insensitive and simpler in analytical procedure, ifa DPS approach is adopted.

A universal method to assess the potential of phosphorus loss from soil to aquatic ecosystems

BACKGROUND, AIM, AND SCOPE

Phosphorus loss from terrestrial to the aquatic ecosystems contributes to eutrophication of surface waters. To maintain the world's vital freshwater ecosystems, the reduction of eutrophication is crucial. This needs the prevention of overfertilization of agricultural soils with phosphorus. However, the methods of risk assessment for the P loss potential from soils lack uniformity and are difficult for routine analysis. Therefore, the efficient detection of areas with a high risk of P loss requires a simple and universal soil test method that is cost effective and applicable in both industrialized and developing countries.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Soils from areas which varied highly in land use and soil type were investigated regarding the degree of P saturation (DPS) as well as the equilibrium P concentration (EPC(0)) and water-soluble P (WSP) as indicators for the potential of P loss. The parameters DPS and EPC(0) were determined from P sorption isotherms.

RESULTS

Our investigation of more than 400 soil samples revealed coherent relationships between DPS and EPC(0) as well as WSP. The complex parameter DPS, characterizing the actual P status of soil, is accessible from a simple standard measurement of WSP based on the equation [Formula: see text].

DISCUSSION

The parameter WSP in this equation is a function of remaining phosphorous sorption capacity/total accumulated phosphorous (SP/TP). This quotient is independent of soil type due to the mutual compensation of the factors SP and TP. Thus, the relationship between DPS and WSP is also independent of soil type.

CONCLUSIONS

The degree of P saturation, which reflects the actual state of P fertilization of soil, can be calculated from the easily accessible parameter WSP. Due to the independence from soil type and land use, the relation is valid for all soils. Values of WSP, which exceed 5 mg P/kg soil, signalize a P saturation between 70% and 80% and thus a high risk of P loss from soil.

RECOMMENDATIONS AND PERSPECTIVES

These results reveal a new approach of risk assessment for P loss from soils to surface and ground waters. The consequent application of this method may globally help to save the vital resources of our terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Effect of liquid swine manure rate, incorporation, and timing of rainfall on phosphorus loss with surface runoff

Excessive manure phosphorus (P) application increases risk of P loss from fields. This study assessed total runoff P (TPR), bioavailable P (BAP), and dissolved reactive P (DRP) concentrations and loads in surface runoff after liquid swine (Sus scrofa domesticus) manure application with or without incorporation into soil and different timing of rainfall. Four replicated manure P treatments were applied in 2002 and in 2003 to two Iowa soils testing low in P managed with corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotations. Total P applied each time was 0 to 80 kg P ha(-1) at one site and 0 to 108 kg P ha(-1) at the other. Simulated rainfall was applied within 24 h of P application or after 10 to 16 d and 5 to 6 mo. Nonincorporated manure P increased DRP, BAP, and TPR concentrations and loads linearly or exponentially for 24-h and 10- to 16-d runoff events. On average for the 24-h events, DRP, BAP, and TPR concentrations were 5.4, 4.7, and 2.2 times higher, respectively, for nonincorporated manure than for incorporated manure; P loads were 3.8, 7.7, and 3.6 times higher; and DRP and BAP concentrations were 54% of TPR for nonincorporated manure and 22 to 25% for incorporated manure. A 10- to 16-d rainfall delay resulted in DRP, BAP, and TPR concentrations that were 3.1, 2.7, and 1.1 times lower, respectively, than for 24-h events across all nonincorporated P rates, sites, and years, whereas runoff P loads were 3.8, 3.6, and 1.6 times lower, respectively. A 5- to 6-mo simulated rainfall delay reduced runoff P to levels similar to control plots. Incorporating swine manure when the probability of immediate rainfall is high reduces the risk of P loss in surface runoff; however, this benefit sharply decreases with time.

Variations in stream water and sediment phosphorus among select Ozark catchments

Stream sediments play a large role in the transport and fate of soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) in stream ecosystems, and equilibrium P concentrations (EPC 0) of benthic sediments at which P is neither adsorbed nor desorbed are often related to stream water SRP concentrations. This study evaluated (i) the variation among water chemistry and sediment-P interactions among streams draining catchments that varied in the land use; (ii) the relations between SRP concentration, sediment EPC 0, and other measured abiotic factors (e.g., particle size distribution, slope of linear sorption isotherms, etc.) in the stream sediments; and (iii) the use of the traditional Mehlich-3 (M3) soil extraction on stream sediments to elucidate other abiotic factors (e.g, M3P, P saturation ratio, etc.) related to SRP concentration in stream sediments. Stream water and sediments were sampled at 22 selected Ozark streams in northwest Arkansas during fall 2003 and spring 2004. Nitrate-N concentrations in the water column (r = 0.69) and modified P saturation ratios (PSR mod) ) of the benthic sediments (r = 0.79) at the selected streams increased with an increase in percent pasture in the catchments, whereas SRP concentration (r = -0.56) and Mehlich-3-extractable P (M3P) content (r = -0.47) decreased with an increase in the percent forested area. Soluble reactive P concentrations in the stream water were positively correlated to sediment EPC 0 (r = 0.51), although sediment EPC(0) was generally greater than SRP. The M3 soil extraction was useful in identifying abiotic factors related to SRP concentrations in the selected streams, in particular SRP concentrations were positively correlated to M3P contents (r = 0.50) and PSR mod (r = 0.71) of the benthic sediments. Thus, M3P and EPC 0 estimates from stream sediments may be valuable yet simple indicators of whether benthic sediments act as sinks or sources of P in fluvial systems, as well as estimating changes in stream SRP concentrations.