Phosphorus sources, forms, and abundance as a function of streamflow and field conditions in a Maumee River tributary, 2016–2019

Abstract

Total phosphorus (TP), dissolved P (DP), and suspended sediment (SS) were sampled in Black Creek, Indiana, monthly during base flow and for 100 storm events during water years 2016-2019, enabling analysis of how each of these varied as a function of streamflow and field conditions at nested edge-of-field sites. Particulate P was normalized for SS (P SS = [TP − DP]/SS). Streamflow events were differentiated by maximum TP concentrations co-occurring with maximum SS (SED) or DP (SOL). The combination of new precipitation and high antecedent soil-water storage during months when fields were exposed coincided with higher streamflow that drove SED events. These SED events carried more SS, including sediment eroded from streambanks that added sediment P but also may have provided for sorption of DP. During SOL events, DP was higher and contributed approximately half of TP; SS was lower. These SOL events had higher P SS , more similar to that in base flow as well as composited samples of overland flow and tile-drain discharge from fields. Baseflow samples had significantly higher P SS concentrations than most event samples, with ≤25 times enrichment relative to soil P concentrations in fine-grained source material. Combining base-flow and event samples showed that P SS integrates SS, DP, and streamflow. Addition of new suspended sediment during events may provide for sorption of DP during and after events and storage in the system, delaying delivery of this P to Lake Erie relative to what would be expected for the dissolved form but adding to the legacy P stored in the stream system.Abbreviations: DP, dissolved phosphorus; HAB, harmful algal bloom; max-TP, event sample that had the maximum total phosphorus concentration for that event; P SS , particulate phosphorus normalized for suspended sediment; SED, event with maximum total phosphorus sample concentration co-occurring with maximum suspended sediment concentration; SOL, event with maximum total phosphorus sample concentration co-occurring with maximum dissolved phosphorus concentration; SS, suspended sediment; TOC, total organic carbon; TP, total phosphorus; WLEB, western Lake Erie Basin; WY, water year.This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Connecting soil health and water quality in agricultural landscapes

“…In the process, they wrestled with challenges of how to summarize both water and soil data so they can be compared and account for real world variability and interactions while teasing out meaningful relationships. A study by Williamson et al (2021) contributes to our understanding of phosphorus dynamics by examining the link between edge-of-field and in-stream data (Scale C to D in Figure 2). While they did not have enough instances of field management activities to incorporate inferences about management effects, they demonstrated a methodology that could be adapted to make linkages between soilwater, field edge, and stream water.…”

“…A study by Williamson et al. (2021) contributes to our understanding of phosphorus dynamics by examining the link between edge‐of‐field and in‐stream data (Scale C to D in Figure 2). While they did not have enough instances of field management activities to incorporate inferences about management effects, they demonstrated a methodology that could be adapted to make linkages between soilwater, field edge, and stream water.…”

Enhancing the Soil Health–Watershed Health Nexus: Introduction

“…Interactions among field management, hydrology, and edge‐of‐field water quality are the theme of three research articles (Osterholz et al., 2021; Williamson et al., 2021; Fermanich et al., 2022). The research of Williamson et al.…”

“…The research of Williamson et al. (2021) illustrates short‐ and long‐term interactions among field conditions (including conservation systems) and streamflow that control phosphorus (P) sources, forms, and abundance. Similarly, Osterholz et al.…”

“…The overview article by Lewandowski and Cates (2023) invites researchers to establish networks, scientific concepts, measurements, and environmental conditions within which soil and watershed health can be correlated and assessment framework(s) applied. The first two research contributions focus on the design of diversified, long-term conservation systems that integrate complex crop rotations, cover crops, perennials, and livestock with the intent of reducing edgeof-field run-off and or increasing soil water and nutrient storage (Bawa et al, 2021;Menefee et al, 2022) Interactions among field management, hydrology, and edge-of-field water quality are the theme of three research articles (Osterholz et al, 2021;Williamson et al, 2021;Fermanich et al, 2022). The research of Williamson et al (2021) illustrates short-and long-term interactions among field conditions (including conservation systems) and streamflow that control phosphorus (P) sources, forms, and abundance.…”