TY - JOUR

T1 - Phosphorus management at the watershed scale

T2 - a modification of the phosphorus index

AU - Gburek, W. J.

AU - Sharpley, A. N.

AU - Heathwaite, L.

AU - Folmar, G. J.

N1 - Phosphorus management at the watershed scale: A modification of the phosphorus index 186 cites: http://scholar.google.com/scholar?num=100&hl=en&lr=&cites=14991131224690039215

PY - 2000

Y1 - 2000

N2 - We considered hydrologic and chemical factors controlling P export from a 39.5-ha mixed land use watershed in east-central Pennsylvania, focusing our evaluation on watershed vulnerability to P loss. The spatial variations of P source factors, soil P, and P inputs from fertilizer and manure were evaluated. Distribution of Mehlich-3 soil P on a 30-m grid over the watershed showed that soil P varied with land use. Soils in wooded areas had low Mehlich-3 P (<30 mg kg−1); grazed pasture had Mehlich-3 P values between 100 and 200 mg kg−1; and cropped fields receiving manure and fertilizer applications were mostly >200 mg kg−1. Phosphorus sources and transport controls on P loss were evaluated by examining in-stream P concentrations during storm hydrographs. Phosphorus concentrations decreased 50% downstream from headwaters to watershed outlet, and were more closely related to near-stream (within 60 m) distribution of high-P soils than to that of the whole watershed. This suggests that near-stream surface runoff and soil P are controlling P export from the watershed. Based on these findings, we modified the Phosphorus Index (PI), a user-oriented tool developed by the NRCS-USDA to identify critical source areas controlling P export from agricultural watersheds. The modification separately evaluates P source and transport factors, and incorporates the hydrologic return period to describe contributing areas. The modified PI was applied to the watershed to illustrate interactions between P source and transport processes controlling P export, and approaches for managing P loss.

AB - We considered hydrologic and chemical factors controlling P export from a 39.5-ha mixed land use watershed in east-central Pennsylvania, focusing our evaluation on watershed vulnerability to P loss. The spatial variations of P source factors, soil P, and P inputs from fertilizer and manure were evaluated. Distribution of Mehlich-3 soil P on a 30-m grid over the watershed showed that soil P varied with land use. Soils in wooded areas had low Mehlich-3 P (<30 mg kg−1); grazed pasture had Mehlich-3 P values between 100 and 200 mg kg−1; and cropped fields receiving manure and fertilizer applications were mostly >200 mg kg−1. Phosphorus sources and transport controls on P loss were evaluated by examining in-stream P concentrations during storm hydrographs. Phosphorus concentrations decreased 50% downstream from headwaters to watershed outlet, and were more closely related to near-stream (within 60 m) distribution of high-P soils than to that of the whole watershed. This suggests that near-stream surface runoff and soil P are controlling P export from the watershed. Based on these findings, we modified the Phosphorus Index (PI), a user-oriented tool developed by the NRCS-USDA to identify critical source areas controlling P export from agricultural watersheds. The modification separately evaluates P source and transport factors, and incorporates the hydrologic return period to describe contributing areas. The modified PI was applied to the watershed to illustrate interactions between P source and transport processes controlling P export, and approaches for managing P loss.

M3 - Journal article

VL - 29

SP - 130

EP - 144

JO - Journal of Environmental Quality

JF - Journal of Environmental Quality

SN - 1537-2537

IS - 1

ER -