
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Edis, Robert B. 
A1  - Bramley, Robert G. V. 
A1  - White, Robert E. 
A1  - Wood, Andrew W. 
T1  - Desorption of phosphate from sugarcane soils into simulated natural waters
JF  - Marine and Freshwater Research
JO  - Mar. Freshwater Res.
Y1  - 2002
VL  - 53
IS  - 6
SP  - 961
EP  - 970
KW  - 
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1071/MF01283 
N2  - A laboratory-based study of the behaviour of phosphorus (P) was carried out on the soils of the lower Herbert River catchment, Queensland, Australia. The aim was to explore the potential for P sorption or desorption by Herbert soils in associated river and estuary waters, so that the extent of problems associated with sugarcane production and soil-derived inputs to streamwater could be defined. Anion exchange resin was used as a sink for P. The equilibrium phosphate concentration (EPC) measured in simulated soil pore water (0.01M CaCl2), and the EPC in the simulated river and estuary waters were strongly correlated. Based on this, and the close relationship between P sorption and selected soil properties, it was possible to estimate P desorption using commonly measured properties. Much less desorption of P took place in simulated estuary waters than in simulated river water of much lower ionic strength. This suggests that environmental degradation arising from the downstream export of soil-borne P from Herbert cane lands is likely to be concentrated in freshwater areas. Sorption properties of P in soils of the lower Herbert appear to be closely associated with aluminium-rich minerals, rather than with iron (hydr)oxides. 
ER  -

