Skip to main content
ARS Home » Northeast Area » University Park, Pennsylvania » Pasture Systems & Watershed Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #83544
Title: AGRICULTURAL PHOSPHORUS AND EUTROPHICATION: A SYMPOSIUM OVERVIEW

Author
item DANIEL, T. - UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
item Sharpley, Andrew
item LEMUNYON, J. - USDA-NRCS

Submitted to: Journal of Environmental Quality
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/25/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Phosphorus (P) in runoff from agricultural land is an important component of nonpoint source pollution and can accelerate eutrophication of lakes and streams. Long-term land application of P as fertilizer and animal wastes has resulted in elevated levels of soil P in many locations in the USA. Problems with soils high in P are often aggravated by the proximity of many yof these areas to P-sensitive water bodies, such as the Great Lakes, Chesapeake and Delaware Bays, Lake Okeechobee, and the Everglades. This paper provides a brief overview of the issues and options related to management of agricultural phosphorus that were discussed at a special symposium, "Agricultural Phosphorus and Eutrophication," held at the November 1996 American Society of Agronomy annual meetings. Topics discussed at the symposium and reviewed below included the role of P in eutrophication; identification of P-sensitive water bodies; P transport mechanisms; chemical forms and fate of P; identification of P source areas modeling of P transport; water quality criteria; and management of soil and manure P, off-farm P inputs, and P transport processes.