Nutrient pollution as a result of excessive fertilizer application is of major concern for Florida's water resources. Excess fertilizer can be lost either via surface runoff or by leaching through the soil mass eventually reaching water bodies and leading to eutrophication. The focus of this study is to analyze the effect of low rainfall intensities and overland flow from an adjacent roadway surface on the loss of nutrients from two different fertilizers. This study focuses on the fate of the nitrogen and phosphorus present in fertilizers utilized by the Florida Department of Transportation for the stabilization of highway embankments. This research was performed on a field-scale test bed and rainfall simulator located at the Stormwater Management Academy at the University of Central Florida. The loss of nutrients was measured from two soil and sod combinations typically found in Florida and used for highway stabilization -Pensacola Bahia on AASHTO A-2-4 soil and Argentine Bahia on AASHTO A-3 soil. Two different fertilizers were analyzed, an all-purpose, quick-release 10-10-10 (N-P-K) fertilizer previously used by FDOT, and the new slow-release 16-0-8 (N-P-K) fertilizer, both applied at a rate of 0.5 lb/1000 ft2 consistent with FDOT's practice. Each combination was analyzed under two rainfall intensities: 0.1 in/hr and 0.25 in/hr at a slope consistent with typical highway cross-sections found in Florida. Nutrient losses were measured by collection of runoff and/or baseflow that escaped the test bed. Additionally, from the soil samples collected throughout the testing period, the mass of the nutrients was compared to the mass balances values based on literature from a previous study on fertilizers performed at the Stormwater Management Academy. The experimental findings of this study showed that there was a reduction in total nitrogen and total phosphorus on both A-2-4 soil and A-3 soil at the 0.25 in/hr intensity as a result of switching to the slow-release 16-0-8 (N-P-K) fertilizer. Results from the 0.1 in/hr rainfall intensity, which were available only for the A-2-4 soil, showed that at this intensity there was no apparent benefit to the switch in fertilizers. Furthermore, it was found that less total nitrogen and total phosphorus was lost from A-3 soil than A-2-4 soil at 0.25 in/hr when using 10-10-10 (N-P-K). At 0.1 in/hr, there was no apparent difference in total nitrogen lost. However, less total phosphorus was lost at this intensity. The results of this study showed that there is an environmental benefit to applying slow-release fertilizers. This was more significant for the 0.25 in/hr intensity than the 0.1 in/hr intensity at which no apparent benefit was found. In addition, it was found that runoff was a greater source of nutrient loss than baseflow, although baseflow losses were substantial. Furthermore, it was found that total nitrogen tends to be lost via both pathways of runoff and baseflow while phosphorus has a lower tendency to leach through the soil but readily runs off the soil surface. It was also observed that because fresh sod tends to be heavily fertilized, applications of fertilizer could be reduced or avoided entirely after sod placement and applied as needed.

Phosphorus (P) loss from agricultural soils has been identified as one of the major causes of eutrophication of surface waters. This study was conducted to evaluate the suitability of various measures of soil P as indicators of risk potential for P loss from agricultural soils to surface waters. To fulfill the research objective, soil samples were collected from six major soil series in southern Ontario, and were subjected to simulated precipitation and to leaching. Relationships between various soil P measures and dissolved reactive P (DRP) concentration in surface runoff and subsurface flow were assessed. Amongst the selected soil test P (STP) and the estimates of degree of P saturation (DPS), DPSM3-2 [Mehlich-3 P/(Mehlich-3 Al + Fe)], DPSM3-3 (Mehlich-3 P/Mehlich-3 Al), and water extractable P (WEP) had the highest correlation with DRP concentration in surface runoff and leachate across all six soil series. The Fe-oxide coated filter paper P (FeO-P) method gave the second best predictor of DRP concentration through a split-line linear model. The Olsen P test was significantly correlated to DRP losses in runoff and leachate but it was generally not as strongly correlated to DRP losses as were other soil P measures. Given that soil WEP concentration can represent risk of soil P loss, a study with a greater range of soils (n=391) suggested that DPSM3-2 and DPSM3-3 tended to overestimate P losses from alkaline soils, especially when soils had high DPSM3-2 or DPSM3-3. In comparison, soil FeO-P and DPSOl-b [Olsen P/(Olsen P + P sorption index)] each were significantly correlated to DRP concentrations in surface runoff, subsurface water and soil WEP concentration, and showed reasonable accuracy. Compared to STP and routine DPS, a detailed soil DPS estimated from P sorption isotherm (DPSsorp) and P buffering capacity (PBC0), could provide reliable predictions of runoff DRP concentration across different soil types. Within each soil type, runoff DRP concentration increased linearly with increasing DPSsorp following a common slope of approximately 1.79, while the common change point was at a PBC0 value of approximately 0.29 L mg-1. A unit change in the PBC0 value resulted in a much greater change in runoff DRP concentration below the change point than above the change point. / The OMAFRA (Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affaires) – MOE (Ontario Ministry of Environment) Nutrient Management Joint Research Program and the University of Guelph-OMAFRA (Environmental Sustainability Research Theme) Research Program.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / Agricultural activities generate impacts on the environment and require constant study and monitoring to enhance our understanding about the ways and degree of contamination resulting therefrom. The main objective of this work was to study the dynamics of transference and transformation of P in the soil, sediment and water in two small watersheds (SW), one with 142.6 ha (SW140) and another with 78.2 ha (SW80), as well as to generate information that could relate the nature of P with the mineralogy of the soil of the basin and its position in the landscape. The specific objectives were as follows: i) to characterize qualitative and quantitatively the forms of phosphorus in the sediment and relate them to soil characterization, ii) to determine the proportion and nature of mineral components in the sediment in order to identify its function in the process of pollution of water and soil, and iii) to check for differences in the transfer of phosphorus from soil to water courses between rainfall events and between sampling periods. The work was divided into three parts: i) physical-hydric and chemical characterization of two small watersheds with emphasis on quantification and qualification forms of phosphates that can be transferred to surface waters; ii) forms of phosphorus present in the water course during rainfall events, and iii) forms of phosphorus present in sediments sampled employing continuous collectors in the water course. It was noted that there are problems between agricultural use and environmental preservation areas, which have worsened since the start of monitoring (2009). Soybean is the main crop in the SWs. However, there is little application of agronomic knowledge in the SWs to improve the productivity of crops or pasture. This is evidenced by data: low soil pH, presence of exchangeable aluminum, low phosphorus, soil compaction in the 5-20 cm layer, erosion caused by planting on the slope direction, lack of soil cover and mismanaged no-till system. The soils of SWs present predominance of 1:1 clay minerals (kaolinite), however, the 2:1 clay minerals are also present, mainly in the lowlands. Due to low phosphorus in crops as a result of poor application of phosphate fertilizers, all areas studied (crops, pastures and forests) may be responsible for diffuse pollution of water courses. The phosphorus index (PI) of Alabama was the best predictor of potential vulnerability to P loss in the small watershed, however the IP of Nebraska could predict what would happen if it applied large amounts of phosphorus in agricultural areas of small watersheds. The amount of total P lost in SWs is low. However , much of the lost P is labile and moderately labile, which may produce eutrophication of water if the phosphate adsorbed to sediments reach lentic environments that allow desorption of P. In SW80 there is less loss of P in its different forms than in SW140. Similarly to soil, sediment mineralogy of SWs shows predominance of 1:1 clay mineral (kaolinite), but there are also present 2:1 clay minerals. The sediment of SW80 contains more 2:1 clay minerals than that derived from the SW140. Although there is a low level of phosphorus in soils under crops, it occurs P concentration in the sediment, mainly in the forms of P present in the labile and organic fractions. / As atividades agrícolas causam impactos sobre o ambiente e necessitam de constante estudo e monitoramento para aprimorar o nosso entendimento quanto às formas e ao grau de contaminação delas resultante. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo geral estudar a dinâmica da transferência e transformação do fósforo (P) nos solos, no sedimento e nas águas de duas pequenas bacias hidrográficas (PBHs), uma com 142,6 ha (PBH140) e outra com 78,2 ha (PBH80), bem como relacionar a forma de P com a mineralogia do solo da bacia e com sua posição na paisagem. Os objetivos específicos foram os seguintes: i) caracterizar qualitivamente e quantitativamente as formas de fósforo presentes no sedimento e relacioná-las com características de solos, ii) determinar a proporção e a natureza dos constituintes minerais no sedimento, a fim de identificar a sua função no processo de poluição da água e do solo, e iii) checar a existência de diferenças na transferência de fósforo do solo para os cursos hídricos entre os eventos pluviométricos e entre os períodos de coleta. O trabalho foi dividido em três partes: i) caracterização físico-hídrica e química do solo da duas pequenas bacias hidrográficas com ênfase na quantificação e qualificação das formas de fosfatos passíveis de serem transferidas para as águas superficiais; ii) avaliação das formas de fósforo presentes nos cursos hídricos em diferentes eventos pluviométricos; e iii) avaliação das formas de fósforo presentes em sedimentos amostrados empregando-se coletores contínuos nos cursos hídricos. Foi constatado que existem problemas entre o uso agropecuário e as áreas de preservação ambiental, os quais vêm se agravando desde o início do monitoramento (2009). A soja é a principal cultura nas PBHs. Porém, há pouca aplicação de conhecimentos agronômicos nas PBHs que visem melhorar a produtividade das culturas ou da pastagem. Isso é evidenciado por alguns dados: baixo pH do solo, presença de alumínio trocável, baixo teor de fósforo, compactação do solo na camada entre 5 a 20 cm, erosão causada pela semeadura no sentido do declive, falta de cobertura do solo e sistema de plantio direto (SPD) mal manejado. Os solos das PBHs apresentam predominância de argilominerais do tipo 1:1 (caulinita) e em menor quantidade os argilominerais 2:1 também estão presentes, principalmente nas áreas de baixadas. Devido ao baixo teor de fósforo nas lavouras pela pouca aplicação de fertilizantes fosfatados, todas as áreas estudadas (lavouras, pastagens e mata) podem ser responsáveis pela poluição difusa dos cursos hídricos. A versão do índice de fósforo (IP) do Alabama foi a que melhor estimou a vulnerabilidade da perda potencial de P nas PBHs. No entanto, a versão do IP de Nebraska poderia prever o que aconteceria, caso se aplicasse grandes quantidades de fósforo nas áreas agrícolas das PBHs. A quantidade de P total transferida nas PBHs é baixa. No entanto, grande parte do P perdido é lábil ou moderadamente lábil, o que pode constituir-se em risco de eutrofização das águas, caso o fosfato adsorvido aos sedimentos chegue a ambientes lênticos que permitam a dessorção de P. Na PBH80 há menor perda de P nas suas diferentes formas do que na PBH140. Analogamente aos solos, a mineralogia dos sedimentos das PBHs apresenta predominância de argilomineral 1:1 (caulinita), mas também estão presentes argilominerais 2:1. O sedimento da PBH80 contém mais argilominerais do tipo 2:1 do que aquele oriundo da PBH140. Embora exista um baixo teor de fósforo nos solos das lavouras, ocorre concentração de P no sedimento, principalmente sob as formas de P presentes na fração lábil e na fração orgânica.