P Mobility in Ditch Soil Mesocosms.

On the Eastern Shore of Maryland drainage ditches and poultry-based farming systems are ubiquitous. As a result phosphorus (P) in groundwater and its escape to surficial waters is a concern. In this experiment 66 mesocosms have been subjected to hydraulic and surficial-pedologic treatments designed to mimic natural and common management strategies. Such techniques include ditch cleanouts and O-material buildup, and field capacity and saturated hydrologies as well as a hydrologic treatment which cycles between field capacity and saturation. Oxalate-extraction-based mineralogical changes as well as trends in redox, pH, and  P sorbtion/release will be reported.