Phosphorus lability across diverse agricultural contexts with legacy sources

The buffering of phosphorus (P) in the landscape delays management outcomes for water quality. If stored in labile form (readily exchangeable and bioavailable), P may readily pollute waters. We studied labile P and its intensity for >600 soils and sediments across seven study locations in the United States. Stocks of labile P were large enough to sustain high P losses for decades, indicating the transport-limited regime typical of legacy P. Sediments were commonly more P-sorptive than nearby soils. Soils in the top 5 cm had 1.3–3.0 times more labile P than soils at 5–15 cm. Stratification in soil test P and total P was, however, less consistent. As P exchange via sorption processes follows the difference in intensities between soil/sediment surface and solution, we built a model for the equilibrium phosphate concentration at net zero sorption (EPC₀) as a function of labile P (quantity) and buffer capacity. Despite widely varying properties across sites, the model generalized well for all soils and sediments: EPC₀ increased sharply with more labile P and to greater degree when buffer capacity was low or sorption sites were likely more saturated. This quantity–intensity–capacity relationship is central to the P transport models we rely on today. Our data inform the improvement of such P models, which will be necessary to predict the impacts of legacy P. Further, this work reaffirms the position of labile P as a key focus for environmental P management—a view Dr. Sharpley developed in the 1980s with fewer data and resources.