New January 2006
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Editor's note
The following abstract describes a publication that is intended for print distribution or as a downloadable PDF. Please see links to the PDF file and ordering information on this page.
Phosphorus (P) is an essential nutrient for growth of crops and aquatic vegetation and often needs
to be applied to land for optimal crop growth. Land application of P as animal manure, biosolids
(sewage sludge), and mineral fertilizer can increase the risk of P pollution of freshwater.
The movement of P from agricultural land to surface and ground water is a complex process involving multiple pathways. Phosphorus moves into surface freshwaters dissolved in runoff water and attached to particulate matter eroded from the land. Recently applied P is particularly prone to losses and is affected by factors such as the form of P applied, the time since application, and the placement. The factors contributing to P loss from agricultural land to surface waters are commonly grouped as source (site and management) factors and transport factors.
This publication is targeted to U.S. EPA Region 7 comprised of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska.
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NCR187, new January 2006