Phosphorus speciation and dynamics in river sediments, floodplain soils and leaf litter from the Lower Murray River region
F. T. Watson A C , R. J. Smernik A , A. L. Doolette A and L. M. Mosley B D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, University of Adelaide, PMB1, Glen Osmond, SA, 5064, Australia.
B School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, PMB1, Glen Osmond, SA, 5064, Australia.
C Present address: The Australian Wine Research Institute, PO Box 197, Glen Osmond, SA 5064, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: luke.mosley@adelaide.edu.au
Marine and Freshwater Research 70(11) 1522-1532 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF18360
Submitted: 16 September 2018 Accepted: 14 March 2019 Published: 30 May 2019
Abstract
Phosphorus (P) availability, which depends on both P concentration and speciation, often controls primary productivity and algal-bloom formation in river systems. The river P pool is also connected to P pools of adjacent sediments, soils and vegetation. Thus, informed management of P in floodplain–river systems requires detailed understanding of P concentration and speciation in all of these interconnected components. We studied P speciation in river sediments and water, floodplain soils and river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) leaf litter from the Lower Murray region using conventional spectroscopic measurements, solution 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (31P NMR) spectroscopy, and leaching experiments to simulate floodplain re-wetting of leaf litter. Almost all (>85%) of the P in river sediments was in the orthophosphate form, whereas floodplain soils had higher proportions of organic P (PO) species. Both fresh and senescent river red gum leaf litter also had a much higher concentration of PO, primarily in the form of phytate. On submersion, there was a rapid (0–96 h) loss of dissolved P from senescent leaves; release of dissolved organic carbon showed similar kinetics. Loss of P from the leaves included both organic and inorganic forms. The results have important implications for aquatic primary productivity and environmental management strategies.
Additional keywords: 31P NMR, speciation.
References
Attiwill, P., Guthrie, H., and Leuning, R. (1978). Nutrient cycling in a Eucalyptus obliqua (L’Hérit.) forest. I. Litter production and nutrient return. Australian Journal of Botany 26, 79–91.| Nutrient cycling in a Eucalyptus obliqua (L’Hérit.) forest. I. Litter production and nutrient return.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Baldwin, D. S. (1996). The phosphorus composition of a diverse series of Australian sediments. Hydrobiologia 335, 63–73.
| The phosphorus composition of a diverse series of Australian sediments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Baldwin, D. S. (1999). Dissolved organic matter and phosphorus leached from fresh and ‘terrestrially’ aged river red gum leaves: implications for assessing river–floodplain interactions. Freshwater Biology 41, 675–685.
| Dissolved organic matter and phosphorus leached from fresh and ‘terrestrially’ aged river red gum leaves: implications for assessing river–floodplain interactions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bowling, L. C., Merrick, C., Swann, J., Green, D., Smith, G., and Neilan, B. A. (2013). Effects of hydrology and river management on the distribution, abundance and persistence of cyanobacterial blooms in the Murray River, Australia. Harmful Algae 30, 27–36.
| Effects of hydrology and river management on the distribution, abundance and persistence of cyanobacterial blooms in the Murray River, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Briggs, S. V., and Maher, M. T. (1983). Litter fall and leaf decomposition in a river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) swamp. Australian Journal of Botany 31, 307–316.
| Litter fall and leaf decomposition in a river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) swamp.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bünemann, E. K., Smernik, R. J., Doolette, A. L., Marschner, P., Stonor, R., Wakelin, S. A., and McNeill, A. M. (2008). Forms of phosphorus in bacteria and fungi isolated from two Australian soils. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 40, 1908–1915.
| Forms of phosphorus in bacteria and fungi isolated from two Australian soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cade-Menun, B. J. (2017). Characterizing phosphorus forms in cropland soils with solution 31P-NMR: past studies and future research needs. Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture 4, 19.
| Characterizing phosphorus forms in cropland soils with solution 31P-NMR: past studies and future research needs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Condron, L. M., Turner, B. L., and Cade-Menun, B. J. (2005). Chemistry and dynamics of soil organic phosphorus. In ‘Phosphorus: Agriculture and the Environment’. Agronomy Monograph number 46. (Eds J. T. Sims and A. N. Sharpley.) pp. 87–121. (American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America: Madison, WI, USA.)
de Campos, M. C. R., Pearse, S. J., Oliveira, R. S., and Lambers, H. (2013). Downregulation of net phosphorus-uptake capacity is inversely related to leaf phosphorus-resorption proficiency in four species from a phosphorus-impoverished environment. Annals of Botany 111, 445–454.
| Downregulation of net phosphorus-uptake capacity is inversely related to leaf phosphorus-resorption proficiency in four species from a phosphorus-impoverished environment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Di Toro, D. M. (2001). Phosphorus. In ‘Sediment Flux Modeling’, 1st edn. pp. 131–148. (Wiley: New York, NY, USA.)
Doolette, A. L., and Smernik, R. J. (2011). Soil organic phosphorus speciation using spectroscopic techniques. In ‘Phosphorus in action: biological processes in soil phosphorus cycling’. (Eds E. Bünemann, A. Oberson, and E. Frossard.) pp. 3–36. (Springer: Berlin, Germany.)
Doolette, A. L., and Smernik, R. J. (2016). Phosphorus speciation of dormant grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) canes in the Barossa Valley, South Australia. Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research 22, 462–468.
| Phosphorus speciation of dormant grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) canes in the Barossa Valley, South Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Environment Protection Authority (2016). River Murray. (EPA, South Australia.) Available at http://www.epa.sa.gov.au/environmental_info/water_quality/programs/river_murray [Verified 25 June 2018].
Fitzpatrick, R. W., Mosley, L. M., and Cook, F. J. (2017). ‘Understanding and Managing Irrigated Acid Sulfate and Salt-Affected Soils: a Handbook for the Lower Murray Reclaimed Irrigation Area.’ (The University of Adelaide Press: Adelaide, SA, Australia)
Froelich, P. N. (1988). Kinetic control of dissolved phosphate in natural rivers and estuaries: a primer on the phosphate buffer mechanism1. Limnology and Oceanography 33, 649–668.
Glazebrook, H. S., and Robertson, A. I. (1999). The effect of flooding and flood timing on leaf litter breakdown rates and nutrient dynamics in a river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) forest. Austral Ecology 24, 625–635.
| The effect of flooding and flood timing on leaf litter breakdown rates and nutrient dynamics in a river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) forest.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Handreck, K. A. (1997). Phosphorus requirements of Australian native plants. Australian Journal of Soil Research 35, 241–289.
| Phosphorus requirements of Australian native plants.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Harris, C. W., Silvester, E., Rees, G. N., Pengelly, J., and Puskar, L. (2016). Proteins are a major component of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) leached from terrestrially aged Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaves. Environmental Chemistry 13, 877–887.
| Proteins are a major component of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) leached from terrestrially aged Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaves.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hawkins, B., and Polglase, P. J. (2000). Foliar concentrations and resorption of nitrogen and phosphorus in 15 species of eucalypts grown under non-limited water and nutrient availability. Australian Journal of Botany 48, 597–602.
| Foliar concentrations and resorption of nitrogen and phosphorus in 15 species of eucalypts grown under non-limited water and nutrient availability.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
He, M., and Dijkstra, F. A. (2014). Drought effect on plant nitrogen and phosphorus: a meta-analysis. New Phytologist 204, 924–931.
| Drought effect on plant nitrogen and phosphorus: a meta-analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 25130263PubMed |
Hecky, R. E., and Kilham, P. (1988). Nutrient limitation of phytoplankton in freshwater and marine environments: a review of recent evidence on the effects of enrichment. Limnology and Oceanography 33, 796–822.
Howitt, J. A., Baldwin, D. S., Rees, G. N., and Hart, B. T. (2004). Facilitated heterogeneous photodegradation of dissolved organic matter by particulate iron. Environmental Chemistry 1, 197–205.
| Facilitated heterogeneous photodegradation of dissolved organic matter by particulate iron.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Howitt, J. A., Baldwin, D. S., Rees, G. N., and Hart, B. T. (2008). Photodegradation, interaction with iron oxides and bioavailability of dissolved organic matter from forested floodplain sources. Marine and Freshwater Research 59, 780–791.
| Photodegradation, interaction with iron oxides and bioavailability of dissolved organic matter from forested floodplain sources.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Huanxin, W., Presley, B. J., and Velinsky, D. J. (1997). Distribution and sources of phosphorus in tidal river sediments in the Washington, DC, area. Environmental Geology 30, 224–230.
| Distribution and sources of phosphorus in tidal river sediments in the Washington, DC, area.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hupfer, M., Rübe, B., and Schmieder, P. (2004). Origin and diagenesis of polyphosphate in lake sediments: a 31P-NMR study. Limnology and Oceanography 49, 1–10.
| Origin and diagenesis of polyphosphate in lake sediments: a 31P-NMR study.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hupfer, M., Gloess, S., and Grossart, H. P. (2007). Polyphosphate-accumulating microorganisms in aquatic sediments. Aquatic Microbial Ecology 47, 299–311.
| Polyphosphate-accumulating microorganisms in aquatic sediments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jaagumägi, R., and Bedard, D. (1997). Sediment and biological assessment of Canagagigue Creek at the Uniroyal Chemical Ltd. Plant, Elmira, ON, 1995–96. (Queens Printer for Ontario: Toronto, ON, Canada.)
Jeffries, D. S., Dieken, F. P., and Jones, D. E. (1979). Performance of the autoclave digestion method for total phosphorus analysis. Water Research 13, 275–279.
| Performance of the autoclave digestion method for total phosphorus analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jørgensen, C., Inglett, K. S., Jensen, H. S., Reitzel, K., and Reddy, K. R. (2015). Characterization of biogenic phosphorus in outflow water from constructed wetlands. Geoderma 257–258, 58–66.
| Characterization of biogenic phosphorus in outflow water from constructed wetlands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kim, L.-H., Choi, E., and Stenstrom, M. K. (2003). Sediment characteristics, phosphorus types and phosphorus release rates between river and lake sediments. Chemosphere 50, 53–61.
| Sediment characteristics, phosphorus types and phosphorus release rates between river and lake sediments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 12656229PubMed |
Maheshwari, B. L., Walker, K. F., and McMahon, T. A. (1995). Effects of regulation on the flow regime of the River Murray, Australia. Regulated Rivers: Research and Management 10, 15–38.
| Effects of regulation on the flow regime of the River Murray, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McCallister, D. L., and Logan, T. J. (1978). Phosphate adsorption–desorption characteristics of soils and bottom sediments in the Maumee River Basin of Ohio1. Journal of Environmental Quality 7, 87–92.
| Phosphate adsorption–desorption characteristics of soils and bottom sediments in the Maumee River Basin of Ohio1.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McDowell, R. W., and Hill, S. J. (2015). Speciation and distribution of organic phosphorus in river sediments: a national survey. Journal of Soils and Sediments 15, 2369–2379.
| Speciation and distribution of organic phosphorus in river sediments: a national survey.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McKelvie, I. D., Peat, D. M. W., and Worsfold, P. J. (1995). Analytical perspective. Techniques for the quantification and speciation of phosphorus in natural waters. Analytical Proceedings Including Analytical Communications 32, 437–445.
| Analytical perspective. Techniques for the quantification and speciation of phosphorus in natural waters.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McLaren, T. I., Smernik, R. J., Guppy, C. N., Bell, M. J., and Tighe, M. K. (2014). The organic P composition of vertisols as determined by 31P NMR spectroscopy. Soil Science Society of America Journal 78, 1893–1902.
| The organic P composition of vertisols as determined by 31P NMR spectroscopy.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mosley, L. M., and Fleming, N. (2010). Pollutant loads returned to the lower Murray River from flood-irrigated agriculture. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution 211, 475–487.
| Pollutant loads returned to the lower Murray River from flood-irrigated agriculture.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mosley, L. M., Biswas, T. K., Dang, T., Palmer, D., Cummings, C., Daly, R., Simpson, S., and Kirby, J. (2018). Fate and dynamics of metal precipitates arising from acid drainage discharges to a river system. Chemosphere 212, 811–820.
| Fate and dynamics of metal precipitates arising from acid drainage discharges to a river system.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 30189408PubMed |
Noack, S. R., McLaughlin, M. J., Smernik, R. J., McBeath, T. M., and Armstrong, R. D. (2012). Crop residue phosphorus: speciation and potential bio-availability. Plant and Soil 359, 375–385.
| Crop residue phosphorus: speciation and potential bio-availability.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
O’Connell, M., Baldwin, D. S., Robertson, A. I., and Rees, G. (2000). Release and bioavailability of dissolved organic matter from floodplain litter: influence of origin and oxygen levels. Freshwater Biology 45, 333–342.
| Release and bioavailability of dissolved organic matter from floodplain litter: influence of origin and oxygen levels.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rayment, G. E., Lyons, D. J., and Shelley, B. (2010). Electrical conductivity, related attributes and redox potential. In ‘Soil Chemical Methods: Australasia’. (Ed. J. Walker) pp. 41–55. (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne, Vic., Australia.)
Smernik, R. J., Doolette, A. L., and Noack, S. R. (2015). Identification of RNA hydrolysis products in NaOH–EDTA extracts using 31P NMR spectroscopy. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 46, 2746–2756.
| Identification of RNA hydrolysis products in NaOH–EDTA extracts using 31P NMR spectroscopy.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Stigter, K., and Plaxton, W. (2015). Molecular mechanisms of phosphorus metabolism and transport during leaf senescence. Plants 4, 773–798.
| Molecular mechanisms of phosphorus metabolism and transport during leaf senescence.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 27135351PubMed |
Turner, B. L., Paphazy, M. J., Haygarth, P. M., and Mckelvie, I. D. (2002). Inositol phosphates in the environment. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences 357, 449–469.
| Inositol phosphates in the environment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 12028785PubMed |
Turner, B. L., Mahieu, N., and Condron, L. M. (2003a). Phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance spectral assignments of phosphorus compounds in soil NaOH–EDTA extracts. Soil Science Society of America Journal 67, 497–510.
| Phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance spectral assignments of phosphorus compounds in soil NaOH–EDTA extracts.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Turner, B. L., Driessen, J. P., Haygarth, P. M., and Mckelvie, I. D. (2003b). Potential contribution of lysed bacterial cells to phosphorus solubilisation in two rewetted Australian pasture soils. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 35, 187–189.
| Potential contribution of lysed bacterial cells to phosphorus solubilisation in two rewetted Australian pasture soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Turner, B. L., Kay, M. A., and Westermann, D. T. (2004). Colloidal phosphorus in surface runoff and water extracts from semiarid soils of the western United States. Journal of Environmental Quality 33, 1464–1472.
| Colloidal phosphorus in surface runoff and water extracts from semiarid soils of the western United States.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 15254129PubMed |
Vestergren, J., Vincent, A. G., Jansson, M., Persson, P., Ilstedt, U., Gröbner, G., Giesler, R., and Schleucher, J. (2012). High-resolution characterization of organic phosphorus in soil extracts using 2-D 1H–31P NMR correlation spectroscopy. Environmental Science & Technology 46, 3950–3956.
| High-resolution characterization of organic phosphorus in soil extracts using 2-D 1H–31P NMR correlation spectroscopy.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wallace, T. A., Ganf, G. G., and Brookes, J. D. (2008). A comparison of phosphorus and DOC leachates from different types of leaf litter in an urban environment. Freshwater Biology 53, 1902–1913.
| A comparison of phosphorus and DOC leachates from different types of leaf litter in an urban environment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wang, J., and Pant, H. K. (2010). Identification of organic phosphorus compounds in the Bronx River bed sediments by phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 171, 309–319.
| Identification of organic phosphorus compounds in the Bronx River bed sediments by phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 20013049PubMed |
Wang, J., and Pant, H. K. (2011). Assessments of potential spatial–temporal variations in phosphorus distribution and fractionation in river bed sediments. Clean – Soil, Air, Water 39, 148–156.
| Assessments of potential spatial–temporal variations in phosphorus distribution and fractionation in river bed sediments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Whitworth, K. L., and Baldwin, D. S. (2016). Improving our capacity to manage hypoxic blackwater events in lowland rivers: the Blackwater risk assessment tool. Ecological Modelling 320, 292–298.
| Improving our capacity to manage hypoxic blackwater events in lowland rivers: the Blackwater risk assessment tool.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Whitworth, K. L., Kerr, J. L., Mosley, L. M., Conallin, J., Hardwick, L., and Baldwin, D. S. (2013). Options for managing hypoxic blackwater in river systems: case studies and framework. Environmental Management 52, 837–850.
| Options for managing hypoxic blackwater in river systems: case studies and framework.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 23912322PubMed |
Whitworth, K. L., Baldwin, D. S., and Kerr, J. L. (2014). The effect of temperature on leaching and subsequent decomposition of dissolved carbon from inundated floodplain litter: implications for the generation of hypoxic blackwater in lowland floodplain rivers. Chemistry and Ecology 30, 491–500.
| The effect of temperature on leaching and subsequent decomposition of dissolved carbon from inundated floodplain litter: implications for the generation of hypoxic blackwater in lowland floodplain rivers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Woods, P. V., and Raison, R. J. (1982). An appraisal of techniques for the study of litter decomposition in eucalypt forests. Australian Journal of Ecology 7, 215–225.
| An appraisal of techniques for the study of litter decomposition in eucalypt forests.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zarcinas, B. A., McLaughlin, M. J., and Smart, M. K. (1996). The effect of acid digestion technique on the performance of nebulization systems used in inductively coupled plasma spectrometry. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 27, 1331–1354.
| The effect of acid digestion technique on the performance of nebulization systems used in inductively coupled plasma spectrometry.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zhang, W., Shan, B., Zhang, H., and Tang, W. (2014). Phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance assignments of biogenic phosphorus compounds in sediment of an artificial Fuyangxin River, China. Environmental Science and Pollution Research International 21, 3803–3812.
| Phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance assignments of biogenic phosphorus compounds in sediment of an artificial Fuyangxin River, China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24288060PubMed |
