Measuring Phosphorus Release in Laboratory Microcosms for Water Quality Assessment

Summary

Accurate quantification of phosphorus (P) desorption potential in saturated soils and sediments is important for P modeling and transport mitigation efforts. To better account for in situ soil-water redox dynamics and P mobilization under prolonged saturation, a simple approach was developed based on repeated sampling of laboratory microcosms.

Abstract

Phosphorus (P) is a critical limiting nutrient in agroecosystems requiring careful management to reduce transport risk to aquatic environments. Routine laboratory measures of P bioavailability are based on chemical extractions performed on dried samples under oxidizing conditions. While useful, these tests are limited with respect to characterizing P release under prolonged water saturation. Labile orthophosphate bound to oxidized iron and other metals can rapidly desorb to solution in reducing environments, increasing P mobilization risk to surface runoff and groundwater. To better quantify P desorption potential and mobility during extended saturation, a laboratory microcosm method was developed based on repeated sampling of porewater and overlying floodwater over time. The method is useful for quantifying P release potential from soils and sediments varying in physicochemical properties and can improve site-specific P mitigation efforts by better characterizing P release risk in hydrologically active areas. Advantages of the method include its ability to simulate in situ dynamics, simplicity, low cost, and flexibility.

Introduction

Phosphorus (P) is a critical limiting nutrient for both crop and aquatic biomass productivity. Surface water hydrology is a main driver of P fate and transport, as it controls the physical transport of sediment and P while also affecting remobilization potential during runoff and flooding/ponding events. Various laboratory-based extraction methods are typically used to estimate P release at the field scale under oxidizing conditions. While different mechanisms can contribute to P release, reductive dissolution of iron-phosphates is a well-established reaction mechanism that can lead to large orthophosphate-P fluxes to water^1,

Protocol

1. Sample collection

1. Collect approximately 4 L of soil (or sediment) from desired sites. Collection areas should be relatively small to limit spatial variation in P and soil properties.
2. Sieve samples through a coarse (20 mm) screen followed a 2 mm screen. Thoroughly hand-mix samples after sieving.
3. Weigh out 100 g of field-moist soil or sediment. Dry in an oven at 105 °C for 24 h and calculate gravimetric water content (soil water mass/dry soil mass).
4. Take a 500 mL subsample for chemical analysis.
   NOTE: Soil pH, organic matter content and labile inorganic P (Pi) concentration are recommended soil tests. Here, labile....

Results

Results from a recent study focused on P release potential of riparian areas are highlighted to demonstrate the method’s ability to characterize site-level P release dynamics⁶. While some soils showed minimal changes in SRP over time, others had large increases in PW- and FW-SRP concentrations (Figure 1). Two sites with contrasting trends are shown in Figure 1. Soil 7 is a riparian site with low soil pH and characterized by nearly continu.......

Discussion

A main technical advantage of the microcosm approach is its ability to simulate in-situ conditions whereby saturated soil or sediment is immediately overlain by FW that may substantially differ in redox and P status. Landscapes with variable source area hydrology such as drainage ditches, flooded cropland, wetlands, and riparian/near-stream zones are all examples of where reduced PW is periodically overlain by more oxidized water with lower Pi concentrations. These redox gradients can strongly affect Pi sorption.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
1.25 cm plastic hose barbs	numerous	NA
Chemical reagents for phosphorus determination	numerous	NA	P analysis capability is assumed; refer to cited references for details on method
Chordless or electric drill with 1.25 cm bit	numerous	NA
Graduated plastic beakers (1L)	numerous	NA
Laboratory with fume hoods, temperature control, and acid waste disposal system	NA	NA
Nylon mesh filter screen (100um)	numerous	NA
Silicone	numerous	NA
UV Spectrophotometer	numerous	NA