Changing dynamic phosphorus forms from field to stream during surface runoff events

Journal of Environmental Quality
By: , and 

Links

Abstract

The risk of water quality impairment from agricultural runoff depends on nutrient source, transport, and bioavailability. Phosphorus (P) spirals between dissolved and particulate forms as it is transported with suspended sediment (SS) from agricultural fields, through the stream network, to receiving water bodies. This dynamic sorption-desorption influences bioavailability. We quantified P form and abundance in samples collected during surface-runoff events from a farm field in the East River Basin, Wisconsin and compared them to those in stream water collected from the East River. We sampled five events between late March 2022 and June 2023. During most events, P in surface runoff was mainly in dissolved form, with particulate P sorbed to fine clay, the most abundant particle fraction transported from the field, whereas P in stream water was mainly in particulate form and sorbed to silt, even though fine clay was the most abundant particle fraction in the stream during events. Overall capacity for P sorption to SS in the stream varied among events. Total P and SS concentrations were lower during summer baseflow conditions and smaller surface runoff events; however, what SS was present was more P enriched. This shift in P form from field to stream indicates a potential for sorbing dissolved P to SS during transport through the stream network, which changes the bioavailability of P exported downstream with less bioavailable P as dissolved P binds to SS.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Changing dynamic phosphorus forms from field to stream during surface runoff events
Series title Journal of Environmental Quality
DOI 10.1002/jeq2.70096
Volume 55
Issue 1
Publication Date December 17, 2025
Year Published 2026
Language English
Publisher American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America
Contributing office(s) Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center
Description e70096, 15 p.
Country United States
State Wisconsin
Other Geospatial East River
Additional publication details