Characteristics of Soil Phosphorus in Tree Island Hardwood Hammocks of the Southern Florida Everglades. Issue 3 (19th April 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Irick, Daniel L.; C. Li, Yuncong; Inglett, Patrick W.; Harris, Willie G.; Gu, Binhe; Ross, Michael S.; Wright, Alan L.; Migliaccio, Kati W.
• Is Part Of: Soil Science Society of America Journal. Volume 77:Issue 3(2013)
• Page Start: 1048
• Page End: 1056
• Publication Date: 2013-04-19
• Subjects: Soils -- United States -- Periodicals; Soil science -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 631.4973
• DOI: 10.2136/sssaj2012.0374
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0361-5995

Abstract

Abstract : The Florida Everglades is a P limited, freshwater wetland ecosystem. In many cases, soil P concentrations in tree islands in the Everglades greatly exceed concentrations in the surrounding marsh; however, little information is available regarding the characteristics of P in tree island soil. Surface soil samples from 26 tree islands were analyzed for total elements, distribution of soil P forms, and soil mineralogy. Total phosphorus (TP) concentrations of soil ranged from 0.764 to 88.1 g kg –1 . Most (>80%) of the TP in high P hammock soils was bound in an inorganic form (HCl‐extractable), while organic P accounted for a relatively small (∼10%) proportion. Total P was positively correlated with non‐carbonate inorganic soil matter (i.e., non‐carbon matter, r = 0.98, p < 0.001), non‐carbonate calcium (NCCa, r = 0.98, p < 0.001), and HCl‐extractable phosphorus (HCl–P, r = 0.997, p < 0.001). Apatite was identified by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) in soils with elevated P concentration. These soils also contained bone fragments. The high proportion of HCl–P observed in tree island soil coupled with a positive relationship between NCCa and P concentration is evidence for an exogenous P source. The presence of apatite and bone fragments in tree island soils indicates that deposition of biogenic apatite contributes to the soil P pool.