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Efficiency of Nitrogen, Carbon, and Phosphorus Retention by Small Agricultural Reservoirs¹

ABSTRACT

Total N, total C, and readily available organic and inorganic P contents, and particle-size distributions were determined for samples of soils and sediments collected from three agricultural watersheds in north Mississippi. The total quantities of N, P, C, and clay accumulated in the sediments of each reservoir were calculated. These values were compared with those calculated from soil losses estimated by using the Universal Soil Loss Equation. The results showed considerable variation between the percentages of plant nutrients and of soil particles retained in the reservoirs. These reservoirs were highly effective in retaining eroded soil particles. However, the percentages of soil nutrients retained in the reservoir sediments were less than the percentages of retained soil particles.

Key Words: erosion • sediment • sedimentation • soils • trap efficiency • Universal Soil Loss Equation • watersheds

¹ Contribution of the Sedimentation Lab., Southern Region, Agric. Res. Serv., U. S. Dep. of Agric.

² Chemist and Soil Scientists, respectively, Oxford, MS 38655.

Received for publication November 3, 1975.