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Phosphorus Sorption Characteristics of Everglades Soils along a Eutrophication Gradient
Author(s) -
Richardson C. J.,
Vaithiyanathan P.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1995.03615995005900060040x
Subject(s) - soil water , sorption , eutrophication , environmental chemistry , phosphorus , peat , phosphate , wetland , environmental science , chemistry , nutrient , hydrology (agriculture) , soil science , adsorption , geology , ecology , biology , geotechnical engineering , organic chemistry
We examined the P sorption characteristics of northern Everglades peat soils along a eutrophication gradient to understand the P retention efficiency of the soils. The amount of phosphate adsorbed on the soils ( Q ) and the zero equilibrium phosphate concentration supported by the soils (EPCo) exhibited a linear decrease with distance from the inflow structures supplying agricultural drainage ( r 2 = 0.74 and 0.71, respectively; P < 0.05; n = 18). Values of Q and EPCo for the enriched soils are an order of magnitude higher than for unenriched soils. Estimated Q values of the soils compare well with the exchangeable P fraction determined by KCl and HCO 3 extraction. Comparison of soil EPCo and pore water PO 4 ‐P values with the surface water PO 4 ‐P concentrations suggests that soils may serve as an additional internal source of P to the overlying water column in nutrient‐enriched areas. Linear phosphate adsorption coefficient ( K ) of the alkaline Everglades soils is higher than that of acidic pocosin bog peat soils of North Carolina but lower than wetland soils and sediments with a high mineral content. Phosphorus sorption characteristics of the Everglade soils are most likely regulated by CaCO 3 .