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Characterization of Phosphorus Sources in Rural Watersheds

^a Environment Group, ADAS Gleadthorpe, Meden Vale, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire NG20 9PF
^b Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Maclean Building, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 8BB

^* Corresponding author (paul.withers{at}adas.co.uk).

Received for publication February 21, 2008. Correct identification of P sources in rural watersheds is critical for the development of cost-effective measures to combat agriculturally-driven eutrophication. The chemical composition of various storm runoff types (field surface runoff, field drain outfalls, roads, farmyards, and septic tanks) and the receiving streams in three micro (<10 km²) watersheds of varying agricultural intensity were monitored over a 2-yr period. Mean weekly stream soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations increased from 29 and 69 µg L^–1, respectively in the watershed with the lowest intensity agriculture to 382 and 503 µg L^–1, respectively in the watershed with high intensity agriculture and a village sewage treatment works. Concentrations of TP in storm runoff varied by up to two orders of magnitude reflecting the complex origins, routing, and composition of contributing source areas. Application of the DESPRAL test suggested field runoff TP concentrations were influenced by both P and organic matter in soil. However, runoff from impervious surfaces (farmyard and roads), and/or influenced by septic tank discharges, was significantly more concentrated (0.08–16 mg TP L^–1, mean >>1 mg L^–1) than surface and subsurface runoff from cultivated land and pasture (0.02–3.6 mg TP L^–1, mean <1 mg L^–1), and/or contained a significantly greater proportion (>50% vs. <50%) of P in dissolved forms. It is concluded that P sources associated with the functioning of rural communities (impervious surfaces, detergents, and wastewater) may be more ecologically relevant than those associated with agriculture and should be better quantified and controlled to avoid localized eutrophication impacts.

Abbreviations: NH₄–N, ammonium nitrogen • DPS, degree of phosphorus saturation • DUP, dissolved unreactive phosphorus • ECSFDI, England Catchment Sensitive Farming Delivery Initiative • FYM, farmyard manure • ICP–OES, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy • NO₃–N, nitrate nitrogen • OP, Olsen-extractable phosphorus • PP, particulate phosphorus • STW, sewage treatment works • SRP, soluble reactive phosphorus • SS, suspended solids • TDN, total dissolved nitrogen • TDP, total dissolved phosphorus • TP, total phosphorus • WEP, water-extractable phosphorus

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