Phosphorus dynamics in tile-drain flow during storms in the US Midwest

P. Vidon and P.E. Cuadra

Agricultural Water Management, 2011, vol. 98, issue 4, 532-540

Abstract: Excess phosphorus (P) in freshwater systems has been associated with eutrophication in agro-ecosystems of the US Midwest and elsewhere. A better understanding of processes regulating both soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) and total phosphorus (TP) exports to tile-drains is therefore critical to minimize P losses to streams while maintaining crop yield. This paper investigates SRP and TP dynamics at a high temporal resolution during four spring storms in two tile-drains in the US Midwest. Depending on the storm, median concentrations varied between 0.006-0.025Â mg/L for SRP and 0.057-0.176Â mg/L for TP. For large storms (>6Â cm bulk precipitation), for which macropore flow represented between 43 and 50% of total tile-drain flow, SRP transport to tile-drains was primarily regulated by macropore flow. For smaller tile-flow generating events ( 6Â cm bulk precipitation). Although significant variations in tile-flow response to precipitation were observed, no significant differences in SRP and TP concentrations were observed between adjacent tile-drains. Results stress the dominance of particulate P and the importance of macropore flow in P transport to tile-drains in the US Midwest. Although only spring storms are investigated, this study brings critical insight into P dynamics in tile-drains at a critical time of the year for water quality management.

Keywords: Non-point; source; pollution; Macropore; flow; Matrix; flow; Particulate; phosphorus; Soluble; reactive; phosphorus; Rainfall; events; Drainage (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:agiwat:v:98:y:2011:i:4:p:532-540

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