Transport of phosphorus and fractionation of residual phosphorus in various horizons of a Spodosol

• Published in: Water, air, and soil pollution air, and soil pollution, 1999, Vol.109 (1/4), p.303-312
• Main Authors: Li, Y.C, Alva, A.K, Calvert, D.V
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: A horizons; Adsorption; application rate; B horizons; bh horizons; calcium; carbonates; citrus soils; E horizons; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Elution; Environmental monitoring; Exact sciences and technology; Fractionation; Geochemistry; hydroxides; iron oxides; Leachates; Leaching; Phosphorus; pore volume; sandy soils; Soil and rock geochemistry; Soil horizons; Soils; Spodosols; Surficial geology; transport processes
• ISSN: 0049-6979; 1573-2932
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1005081313400

The retention and transport of P by three horizon samples (A, E, and Bh) of a Spososol (Oldsmar sand: sandy, silicious, hyperthermic Alfic Arenic Haplaquods) were evaluated using a batch-equilibration and leaching column techniques with application of P in rates equivalent to 25 and 100 kg P ha^sup -1^. Adsorption coefficient (K) values followed the order: Bh > A > E. Adsorption of P by the E horizon soil sample was negligible (M = 4 μg g^sup -1^ soil) as compared to that of either A or Bh horizon samples, e.g., 303 and 479 μg g^sup -1^, respectively. The leaching column study with application of P equivalent to 100 kg ha^sup -1^ showed 39, 68, and 98% of applied P were leached from the Bh, A, and E horizons, respectively, with eight pore volumes of leachate. Elution curves showed the peak P elution at the second pore volume (equivalent to 3.7 cm of water addition). After leaching with eight pore volumes, the residual P in the soil was present primarily in non-occluded Fe and Al-P forms in the A and Bh horizons.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]