Influence of flooding on phosphorus mobility in manure-impacted soil.

Abstract

Agricultural lands are often used for constructing stormwater treatment areas (STAs) to abate nutrient loading to adjacent aquatic systems. Flooding agricultural lands to create STAs could stimulate a significant release of phosphorus (P) from soil to the water column. To assess the suitability of agricultural lands, specifically those impacted by animal operations, for the construction of STAs, soils from different components of the New Palm-Newcomer dairies (Nubbin Slough Basin, Okeechobee, Florida, USA) were collected by horizon and their P retention and release capacities estimated. In general, P released from A-horizon soil under flooded (anaerobic) conditions was greater than under drained (aerobic) conditions due to redox effect on iron (Fe) and consequent P releases. However, the P released from Bh-horizon soil was greater under aerobic conditions than under anaerobic conditions, possibly due to excessive aluminum (Al) content in the horizon. Double acid-extractable calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), Al, and P explained 87% of the variability in P release under aerobic conditions, and 80% of that under anaerobic conditions. The P release maxima indicated a high solubility of P in A-horizon soil from both active and abandoned dairies (13 and 8% of the total P, respectively), suggesting that these soils could function as potential sources of P to the overlying water column when used in STA construction. Preestablishment of vegetative communities or chemical amendment, however, could ameliorate high P flux from soil to the water column.