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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #113330
Title: LEACHING OF INORGANIC PHOSPHORUS IN AN UNDERDRAINED LANDSCAPE

Author
item Boyer, Douglas
item ALLOUSH, GHIATH - USDA-ICD-FAS VISITING SY
item Belesky, David
item Clark, Ralph

Submitted to: American Society of Agronomy Meetings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/15/2000
Publication Date: 11/5/2000
Citation: Boyer, D.G., Alloush, G.A., Belesky, D.P., Clark, R.B., 2000. Leaching of inorganic phosphorus in an underdrained landscape. American Society of Agronomy Abstracts, p. 385.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Phosphorus is a primary nutrient associated eutrophication. Particulate phosphorus readily adsorbs to soil particles and control of sediment delivery to streams has been perceived as the method for reducing phosphorus loads to aquatic systems. There is new evidence that dissolved phosphorus is also an important phosphorus source to aquatic systems. Limestone tends to contain many joints and fractures that rapidly transpor water, particles, and solutes to the subterranean drainage system. These characteristics of limestone karst terrain, along with thin soils, make the rapid movement of phosphorus possible. The purpose of this study was to study dissolved inorganic phosphorous concentrations in karst groundwater. Dissolved inorganic phosphorus was measured at two springs, several cave streams draining agricultural land, and four sinkhole drains in pasture in the central Appalachian Region. Maximum dissolved inorganic phosphorus concentrations ranged from about 10 mg/L P at the sinkhole drains to 5 mg/ P in the cave streams to 2 mg/L P at the springs. Maximum dissolved inorganic phosphorus concentrations were related to grazing. Karst systems in the Appalachian Region are important in their role of transporting dissolved inorganic phosphorus.