Using a Simple Soil Column Method to Evaluate Soil Phosphorus Leaching Risk

Abstract

The impacts of soil P leaching on water eutrophication have widely been concerned. However, there is no dependable method to quantitatively estimate the P leaching risk of soils. In this study, a simple soil column method was developed using two calcareous Fluvisols, silt loam and loam. The soil column was 20cm in length and 5cm in diameter, and distilled water was continuously supplied from the top. The volume and dissolved reactive P (DRP) concentrations of leachate were measured. Results showed that DRP concentrations in leachate increased slowly for the low soil Olsen-P levels but rapidly for the high Olsen-P levels. According to these two-phase changes in the DRP versus soil Olsen-P con..