Use of dolomite phosphate rock (DPR) fertilizers to reduce phosphorus leaching from sandy soil

Environ Pollut. 2006 Jan;139(1):176-82. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2004.12.016. Epub 2005 Aug 8.

Abstract

There is increasing concern over P leaching from sandy soils applied with water-soluble P fertilizers. Laboratory column leaching experiments were conducted to evaluate P leaching from a typical acidic sandy soil in Florida amended with DPR fertilizers developed from dolomite phosphate rock (DPR) and N-Viro soil. Ten leaching events were carried out at an interval of 7 days, with a total leaching volume of 1,183 mm equivalent to the mean annual rainfall of this region during the period of 2001-2003. Leachates were collected and analyzed for total P and inorganic P. Phosphorus in the leachate was dominantly reactive, accounting for 67.7-99.9% of total P leached. Phosphorus leaching loss mainly occurred in the first three leaching events, accounting for 62.0-98.8% of the total P leached over the whole period. The percentage of P leached (in the total P added) from the soil amended with water-soluble P fertilizer was higher than those receiving the DPR fertilizers. The former was up to 96.6%, whereas the latter ranged from 0.3% to 3.8%. These results indicate that the use of N-Viro-based DPR fertilizers can reduce P leaching from sandy soils.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Calcium Carbonate*
  • Environmental Exposure / adverse effects
  • Fertilizers*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Magnesium*
  • Phosphates
  • Phosphorus / analysis*
  • Phosphorus / chemistry
  • Rain
  • Soil / analysis*
  • Solubility
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis*

Substances

  • Fertilizers
  • Phosphates
  • Soil
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Phosphorus
  • Calcium Carbonate
  • Magnesium
  • calcium magnesium carbonate