Vegetated Buffer Strips Can Lead to Increased Release of Phosphorus to Waters: A Biogeochemical Assessment of the Mechanisms

• Published in: Environmental science & technology Vol. 43; no. 6; pp. 1858 - 1863
• Main Authors: Stutter, Marc I, Langan, Simon J, Lumsdon, David G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 15.03.2009
• Subjects: Agriculture; Applied sciences; Aquatic ecosystems; Biochemistry; Biogeochemistry; Environmental Processes; Enzyme kinetics; Exact sciences and technology; Leaching; Phosphorus - chemistry; Phosphorus content; Plants; Pollution; Pollution control; Sediment transport; Temperature; Water Movements; Water Pollutants, Chemical - chemistry; Water Pollution, Chemical - prevention & control; Microbial activity; Fertilization; Solubility; Phosphorus; Sediments; Microbial biomass; Transport process; Ecosystem; Surface water; Vegetation; Lixiviation; Agriculture; Stream

Establishing vegetated buffer strips (VBS) between cropland and watercourses is currently promoted as a principal control of diffuse pollution transport. However, we lack the mechanistic understanding to evaluate P retention in VBS and predict risks of P transport to aquatic ecosystems. We observed...