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Escape of Elemental Phosphorus from Soil when Applied as White Phosphorus or the Phosphorus-Sulfur Eutectic Solution¹

ABSTRACT

When molten white phosphorus was applied to soil and not adequately covered, oxides of P issued from the soil surface. The escape of P from soil fertilized with pellets of white phosphorus or the eutectic solution of P₄-S₈ was determined. Most of the P recovered from the atmosphere was P₄ rather than oxides, furthermore, P₄ escape was considerably greater from phosphorus applied as the P₄-S₈ eutectic solution than from pellets of white phosphorus. The escape of P₄ from the eutectic solution also persisted longer than from a like application of white phosphorus. No appreciable difference was found in phosphorus escape from a calcareous soil as compared to that from an acid soil. Phosphorus escape was reduced by deeper placement, but was not prevented by placement at a depth of 10 cm or by increased soil moisture levels up to field capacity. Phosphorus sulfides applied to soil did not release phosphorus as did the eutectic solution of P₄-S₈. Calculations suggest that hazardous levels of P₄ might accumulate in the air above fields fertilized with the P₄-S₈ eutectic solution.

Key Words: phosphorus oxides • phosphorus sulfides • air pollution

¹ Contribution from Research & Development Dep., Chevron Chem. Co., Richmond, Calif.

² Research Agronomist, Soil & Plant Chemistry, Chevron Chem. Co., 940 Hensley St., Richmond, Calif. 94804

Received for publication November 29, 1971.