PHOSPHORUS

AN INDICATOR OF PEDOGENETIC WEATHERING PROCESSES

Abstract

In studies of pedogenetic processes, knowledge of transformations and translocations of soil phosphorus can be a valuable aid. As pH and other ionic concentrations change with soil profile development, forms of soil phosphorus also change. Generally as pH drops with development, relatively soluble forms of phosphorus decrease and occluded forms increase. Consequently, relative quantities of phosphorus forms can serve as a measure of soil development.

Though phosphorus is relatively insoluble in soils, considerable translocation of phosphorus does take place over the long time spans involved in soil development. Phosphorus redistribution can serve as a reliable indicator of water movement in soil profiles and landscapes. Furthermore, phosphorus distribution in landscapes can control the distribution of vegetative types and organic matter production which will affect profile characteristics.