Excessive application of chemical fertilizer and organophosphorus pesticides induced total phosphorus loss from planting causing surface water eutrophication

Abstract

Total phosphorus (TP) loss from planting was one of the resources causing agricultural non-point source pollution. It is significant to clarify the factors influencing TP loss, as well as explore the relationship between TP loss from planting and surface water eutrophication for making recommendations on the reduction of environmental pollution. In this study, the minimum and maximum of average TP loss was appeared in Qinghai and Shandong province with the TP loss of 7.7 × 102 t and 7.5 × 103 t from 2012 to 2014, respectively. The results of structural equation model (SEM) indicating that the effect of anthropogenic drivers on TP loss was more important than natural conditions due to the higher path coefficient of anthropogenic drivers (0.814) than that of natural conditions (0.130). For anthropogenic drivers, the path coefficients of usage of fertilizer and pesticides, which was often excessively applied in China, were 0.921 and 0.909, respectively causing they the two dominant factors affecting TP loss. Annual precipitation and relative humidity, which were belongs to natural conditions, increased TP loss by enhancing leaching and surface runoff. However, light duration could reduce TP loss by promoting crop growth and increasing TP absorption of crops, with a path coefficient of − 0.920. TP loss of each province in per unit area from planting was significantly correlated with TP concentration of its surface water (p < 0.05), suggesting that TP loss from planting was the main factor causing surface water eutrophication. This study targeted presented three proposals to reduce the TP loss from planting, including promotion of scientific fertilization technologies, restriction of organophosphorus pesticides, and popularization of water saving irrigation technologies. These findings as well as suggestions herein would provide direction for the reduction of TP loss from planting.

Effectiveness of compost inoculated with phosphate solubilizing bacteria

“…The limited concentration of phosphorous in soil encourages the use of phosphorus‐based chemical fertilizers (CFs), which damage our environment and health (Rasul et al, 2019). Excessive application of phosphorus‐based CFs in the soil can not only influence the quality of surface water and groundwater through runoff and infiltration, respectively, but also cause soil compaction, thereby declining cereal production (Liu et al, 2021). About up to 90% of P have been reported to run off from crop fields and escape into the atmosphere or water sources, thereby causing salinization in soil, eutrophication in aquatic system and production of greenhouse gas (Ye et al, 2020).…”

Phyto-Friendly Soil Bacteria and Fungi Provide Beneficial Outcomes in the Host Plant by Differently Modulating Its Responses through (In)Direct Mechanisms

“…Plant nutrition is essential for optimal agricultural production, thus an adequate supply of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) forms and ionic species is necessary and usually added to the soil as synthetic fertilizers [ 58 ]. However, the increase in the use of chemical fertilizers does not proportionally guarantee crop yields and has a long-term impact on the environment in terms of water and soil pollution, depletion of soil fertility, and carbon footprint [ 59 ]. Phyto-friendly soil microbes are a very promising alternative to conventional fertilizers [ 60 , 61 ].…”

Nitrate Water Contamination from Industrial Activities and Complete Denitrification as a Remediation Option

“…They are the second most common predominant anthropogenic surface and groundwater pollutants after pesticides, and are applied in the soil in a form of fertilizers during agricultural practices in similar fashion [15]. Over 50% of water pollution in streams, rivers and groundwater is due to agricultural practices via the application of pesticides and fertilizers that leach from their point of application into bodies of water [16]. Pesticides (i.e., herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, rodenticides, molluscicides, and nematicides) are applied globally during crop farming to protect and increase crop yields by killing biological entities that cause damage and disease to the plants [17].…”