Potential Contributions of Mature Prairie and Turfgrass to Phosphorus in Urban Runoff

Abstract

Urban vegetative plantings are considered desirable to mitigate and filter stormwater runoff and nonpoint-source pollution. Phosphorus fertilization of turfgrass may enhance P in urban runoff; however, the amount of P from nonfertilized, native vegetation that could potentially replace some turf is not known. This study was conducted to measure the relative contributions of nonfertilized, native prairie vegetation and fertilized turfgrass to runoff water and P loads. Six replicates of side-by-side mature urban prairie and turfgrass were monitored for mean annual runoff volumes and P loads, biomass production, vegetative nutrient composition, and changes in soil moisture. Vegetation type did not significantly affect seasonal or annual runoff volumes or P loads. The mean annual total P loads of 0.46 kg ha -1 for prairie and 0.28 kg ha -1 for turfgrass were significant and comparable to those reported by other researchers when studied separately. Total P concentrations in runoff water from prairie and turf vegetation were above USEPA limits, averaging 1.86 and 1.63 mg L -1 , respectively, over 2 yr. Averaged across 2 yr, 78% of runoff P was collected when the soil was frozen. Biomass P reductions over the period of November to April were strongly related to quantities of runoff total P from frozen soil (R 2 = 0.874). Phosphorus losses from urban areas appeared to be primarily correlated with runoff depth, not vegetation type, because correlation coefficients revealed 86 and 45% of the Year 1 and Year 2 total P loads were directly accounted for by runoff volumes.

The fingerprints of urban nutrients: dynamics of phosphorus speciation in water flowing through developed landscapes

“…We found that the dominant type of DOP changed significantly across spatial sequence of upstream, in, or downstream of stormwater ponds. A considerable fraction of DOP in inflowing water of stormwater ponds was MP, which are often a dominant organic P form in terrestrial soils due to its high chemical binding capacity onto mineral particles (Steinke et al 2013). Consistent with this, large amounts of MP was measured in ponds that were receiving high flows of stormwater.…”

“…In the urban environment, P originated from pet wastes, fertilizers, grass litter, soil microbial communities, vegetative detritus and soil particles (Paul and Meyer 2001;Steinke et al 2013). These sources can release different forms of P (e.g.…”

Spatial distribution patterns of phosphorus in top-soils of Greater London Authority area and their natural and anthropogenic factors

“…There are a few aspects related to urbanization affecting the P behaviour in urban soils. As human waste and food count for the major parts of imported P in urban ecosystems, population density shapes the concentration pattern of P (Brett et al, 2005;Steinke et al 2013). In addition, built-environment materials, such as asphalt, cement, and wood are contributing to the elevated P (e.g.…”

Soil phosphorus budget in global grasslands and implications for management

“…Natural 0.2~8.8 0.03~9.2 -2.01~0.36 (Chaneton et al, 1996;Dong et al, 2000;Hoffmann et al, 2008;Oelmann et al, 2007;Steinke et al, 2013;Yan et al, 2011;Zhou et al, 2013) Managed 0~244 0~68.7 -42.0~126.0 (Domburg et al, 2000;Dong et al, 2000;Foy et al, 2002;Haas et al, 2007;Haygarth et al, 1998a;Haygarth et al, 1998b;Hooda et al, 1999;Hooda et al, 2000;Käding, 2006;Li et al, 2004;Messiga et al, 2015;Murphy et al, 2015;Pote et al, 2009;Rowarth et al, 1992;Sinaj et al, 2002;Tiessen et al, 1982;Toor et al, 2005;Toor et al, 2004 (Newman, 1995;Schlesinger et al, 1999;Turnbull et al, 2011) Managed 0.4~30.0 1.4~13.0 -1.0~25.8 (Gourley et al, 2012;Obour et al, 2011) Figure adapted from Haygarth et al, 1998a. Fig.…”