Speciation and fractionation of phosphorus in biosolids-amended soils: effects of water treatment residual nanoparticles

Abstract

Phosphorus (P) speciation and fractionation are useful tools for assessing P mobility and potential transfer to water bodies. The current study aims to evaluate drinking water treatment residual nanoparticles (nWTRs) effects on P species in biosolids-amended soils using sequential chemical fractionation and mineral equilibrium model. Three different soil types were selected (El-Bostan, Kafr El-Dawar, Borg Al-Arab), amended with biosolids (3%), and different rates of nWTRs were applied. The P fractionation results revealed that addition of nWTRs to biosolids-amended El-Bostan soil increased the immobile aluminum phosphates from 27.30 to 88.90, 92.20, and 94.93% at 0.10, 0.20, and 0.30% application rate, respectively. Similar trend was noticed in Kafr El-Dawar soil. In Borg Al-Arab soil, nWTRs significantly (p < 0.05) increased aluminum phosphate to only 71.73% at the highest application rate (0.30%) due to its high content of calcium carbonate (35.70%). Similarly, phosphorous speciation analysis revealed that application of nWTRs significantly increased the proportions of immobile phosphate form (P sorbed to Al hydroxide) and amorphous sodium aluminum phosphate. Thus, water degradation via eutrophication can be minimized by applying nWTRs to biosolids-amended soils.