Phosphorus dynamics in tile-drain flow during storms in the US Midwest

Excess phosphorus (P) in freshwater systems has been associated with eutrophication in agro-ecosystems of the US Midwest and elsewhere. A better understanding of processes regulating both soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) and total phosphorus (TP) exports to tile-drains is therefore critical to minimize P losses to streams while maintaining crop yield. This paper investigates SRP and TP dynamics at a high temporal resolution during four spring storms in two tile-drains in the US Midwest. Depending on the storm, median concentrations varied between 0.006–0.025 mg/L for SRP and 0.057–0.176 mg/L for TP. For large storms (>6 cm bulk precipitation), for which macropore flow represented between 43 and 50% of total tile-drain...

Categories: Publication; Types: Citation; Tags: Data Visualization & Tools, Drainage, Landscapes, Macropore flow, Matrix flow, All tags... Non-point source pollution, Northeast CASC, Other Landscapes, Particulate phosphorus, Rainfall events, Science Tools For Managers, Soluble reactive phosphorus, Fewer tags