Source: UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS submitted to NRP
SOURCES AND TRANSPORT OF PHOSPHORUS IN TILE DRAINED AGRICULTURAL WATERSHEDS USING ADVANCED CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1009596
Grant No.
2016-67019-25268
Cumulative Award Amt.
$474,900.00
Proposal No.
2015-08514
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
May 1, 2016
Project End Date
Apr 30, 2020
Grant Year
2016
Program Code
[A1401]- Foundational Program: Soil Health
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
2001 S. Lincoln Ave.
URBANA,IL 61801
Performing Department
Natl Res & Env Sci
Non Technical Summary
Phosphorus loss from agricultural fields in the Midwestern US occurs through surface runoff and tile drainage. Illinois has just developed a Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy, which develops a plan for reducing P loads by 45%. Many management practices are proposed to reduce P losses, but there is great uncertainty about sources, transport, and forms. We will: 1) develop a rapid and simple method for determining which fields have large P losses through tile lines; 2) identify the forms of colloidal P (CP) and particulate P (PP) in tile and river water; 3) understand how soil P pools in fields control the dissolved reactive P (DRP), CP, and PP losses; and 4) assess the contribution of various P sources, including tiles, surface runoff, and riverine sources to overall watershed export of P. We will apply cutting edge chemical techniques including zetasizer (surface charge properties), dynamic light scattering (particle size distribution), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (morphology, structure, and elemental distribution with P), synchrotron based XRD (characterization of amorphous or crystalline materials), and microfocused X-ray microprobe spectroscopy (solid state P speciation) to better understand and determine sources and transport. In addition to automatic and grab sampling of tile and river water, we will install a continuous DRP sensor in the watershed outlet. Samples will be primarily collected in the Embarras River watershed of Illinois. This knowledge will allow for better targeting and application of management practices, helping us reduce P losses by the large amounts needed in nutrient loss reduction strategies.
Animal Health Component
50%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
50%
Applied
50%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
1120210200050%
1020110200050%
Goals / Objectives
There is great interest but also great uncertainty about controls on and forms of P from tile-drained agricultural watersheds. Therefore, our long-term goal is to use cutting edge chemical techniques to better quantify and understand the movement of P from fields to watershed outlets, which will allow for better targeting and selection of management changes that could reduce these critically important losses. As part of this goal we will better understand not only reactive P movement, but also the critically important colloidal and particulate forms of P that move via both surface runoff and tile drainage from fields. By examining these same P forms with these techniques at the watershed outlet, we will be able to more fully understand how field scale transport relates to watershed scale transport. Our specific objectives are therefore:1. To develop a rapid and simple method for determining which fields have large P losses through tile lines;2. To identify the forms of colloidal and particulate P in tile and river water;3. To understand how soil P pools in fields control the reactive, colloidal, and particulate P losses; and4. To assess the contribution of various P sources, including tiles, surface runoff, and riverine sources to overall watershed export of P.The primary hypotheses we will test are:1. Soil test and other soil chemical signatures of P, tile system design, and surface soil properties can be related to a simple method for determining which fields have large tile dissolved reactive P losses.2. Colloidal and particulate P from tile lines during high flow events is an important component of both field and watershed scale P losses, and is related to chemical properties of P found in the field soils.3. Particulate P eroded by surface runoff in the river will be different chemically than colloidal and particulate P transported by tile drainage.
Project Methods
Field SitesThis project will build on field and watershed infrastructure already in place in the Embarras River watershed of east-central Illinois, as well as additional agricultural fields in surrounding watersheds of this same area.Approach and MethodologyObjective 1: Develop a rapid and simple method for determining which fields have large P losses through tile linesWe will test a wide array of sorption media that we will suspend in the tile outlets that we are currently monitoring. This will follow exploratory laboratory work where we will use tile water collected from some of our monitored tiles that have a range of DRP and PP in them, and tile water that is spiked with phosphate as well. We will take non-perforated tile pipe and pump the tile water from a reservoir at a defined flow rate under laboratory conditions, with the sorption and filtration media suspended in the flow.We use a Lachat QuikChem 8000 continuous flow analyzer for DRP and total P (following digestion with sulfuric acid and ammonium persulfate) analysis. Once we find possible candidates we will choose tiles with a range of P concentrations and forms, and determine if these techniques can be used in the field to identify tiles with greater concentrations of P. We envision 1 to 2 week field deployments, depending on flow rates and storm events.Objective 2: Identify the forms of colloidal and particulate P in tile and river waterWe propose to collect large volumes of tile water from our network of monitored tiles to allow for chemical analysis of P present. This will need to be done during high flow events throughout the tile drainage period, typically January through June in east-central Illinois, where we can obtain tens of liters of tile water for this in-depth chemical analysis using novel techniques. We will select about 10 tiles in year 1 with higher total P and greater PP concentrations at high flow for this work. During high flow events, our team will manually collect the large volumes required using carboys and pumps. We plan to get 30 L of tile water from each tile and unique flow event for complete analysis. In addition, we will sample the Embarras River at Camargo at a range of flow events, obtaining the same sample volumes for a similar analysis. This type of sampling will be conducted each year of the project, giving us a large number of samples for our analysis techniques.In our study, we will first process 30L of tile sample through 0.45 µm filters to separate DRP from PP. And then, filtrates will be passed through an automated ultrafiltration device (AUD) (Tsao et al., 2009). Operationally defined CP, which is based on three filter membranes (CP50: <50 µm, CP100: 50-100 µm and CP450: 100-450 µm) will be recovered. All CP and PP values will be corrected after subtracting DRP values. Fractionated CPs and PPs will be preserved using two different methods: 1) re-suspended in 15 mL filtered solution in scintillation vials to preserve the chemical state of CP at steady state and stored at 3°C and 2) washed and freeze-dried for the solid state analysis in objective 3.Characterization of colloidal and particulate PUsing subsamples from drainage water collections, we propose zeta potential, hydrodynamic diameter of CP using dynamic light scattering. Since PP is too large for DLS, particle size of PP is measured using TEM described below. For the particle size analysis of CP (sonified CP, ~0.2 g/L), dynamic light scattering measurements will be performed using a Wyatt Dawn Heleos II particle separation system (Wyatt Technologies, Dernbach, Germany) in batch mode. Data will be analyzed with ASTRA V software from Wyatt Technologies. If the suspension density is low, concentrated samples will be prepared using ultra high speed centrifugation methods. We will also estimate zeta potential of CP using the Zeta Phase Analysis Light Scattering Zetasizer Nano S90 (Malvern Instruments Ltd. Worcestershire, United Kingdom). For this measurement, colloid suspensions will be in filtrate that is recovered from the AUD-particle separation procedure.Particle characterization (e.g., morphology, elemental association) of CP and PP will be carried out using Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and SEM techniques at the UIUC Electron Microscopy Facility and synchrotron based X-ray microprobe spectroscopy. In addition to total C and total elemental analysis of CP and PP, both CP and PP samples (paste and freeze dry colloids) will be analyzed for P chemical speciation using microfocused synchrotron based X-ray microprobe techniques. This method will be used to understand the spatially resolved chemical speciation of P in CP separated in Objective 2. The techniques include microfocused-XRF, -XAS, and -XRD. The molecular scale synchrotron X-ray based measurements provide the only means of definition of the chemical forms of targeted element in heterogeneous samples containing crystalline, amorphous, and interfacial P coordination environments. We will use beam line 14-3 at Stanford Synchrotron Radiation laboratory (SSRL), Menlo Park, CA.Objective 3: Understand how soil P pools in fields control the reactive, colloidal, and particulate P lossesOn each of the fields that we are measuring P export through the tile systems we will sample soils for soil test P measurements, as well as other P information. Most soil sampling will be the upper 10 cm of soil, but at selected fields (that represent a range of P loss rates) we will also sample 10-30, 30-50, 50-100, and 100-140 cm soil depths for more complete information on P pools and soil test values.Using the methods described by Helmke and Sparks (Helmke and Sparks, 1996), soils will be characterized for particle size, texture, cation exchange capacity, total C and N, soil pH, buffering capacity, amorphous and crystalline Fe/Al (oxy) hydroxide content via chemical extractions, mineralogy via X-ray diffraction.For indirect P chemical speciation, sequential chemical extraction will be used to identify operationally defined extractable P (e.g., water soluble, oxalate extractable) in fractionated soil samples, which includes particles smaller than clay, according to the method described by Arai et al. (Arai et al., 2005). For direct chemical speciation, undisturbed soil core samples and fractionated soil samples will be freeze dried for thin section preparation according to the method described by Arai et al. (Arai et al., 2007). Microfocused XRF analysis and P K-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure spectroscopy (XANES) analyses will be conducted at beamline 14-3 at SSRL. Based on the XRF maps, we will conduct the advanced statistical analysis (moment analysis) to better assess the P distribution in soils using XRF software, SMAK (http://smak.sams-xrays.com/).Objective 4: Assess the contribution of various P sources, including tiles, surface runoff, and riverine sources to overall watershed export of PWe will have measured P forms in tile flow from a wide range of fields. Putting the tile results in the context of the overall watershed is a substantial challenge. We have available and will install at the Camargo outlet site a Sea-Bird Coastal Cycle Phosphate sensor from Wet Labs. When combined with ISCO samples during high flow events, we can fully characterize the P forms and loads in the Embarras River. Using our chemical characterization data from objectives 2 and 3, combined with the continuous DRP measurements, we will be able to see if the chemical signature of CP and PP forms in tile samples is similar to what we see in the river at the outlet of the watershed. We also will have surface soil chemistry from a great number of fields, and we can also see how that compares to the riverine P forms and loads during both tile flow and surface runoff dominated events.

Progress 05/01/16 to 04/30/20

Outputs
Target Audience:In order to effectively disseminate our research findings, PI has targeted audiences in agriculture sciences, water and soil science, and environmental engineering-related fields. Changes/Problems:We had a setback to recruit a graduate student in Year 1, but the no-cost extension was granted later and it helped us to complete the study. The original plan to fractionate the colloidal particles in several fractions were canceled due to a large amount of silt. The amount of total colloid in a liter of the sample was very small. The quantity of colloids was limited for some chemical analysis although we collected 5-10L of samples per site. The deployment of the P sensor, seabird, did not work well due to unexpected sediment load. The sensor did not work to detect dissolved P. Therefore, the scaling-up effort to understand the watershed scale DRP loss was not attempted. We tested several anion exchange resins and ZVI granules. While the resin showed promising applications for the field experiments, ZVI granules did not work well. Oxidation products, ferrihydrite particulates leached out from mesh bags. The use of ZVI granules was canceled. COVID-19 in spring 2020 temporarily prohibited our access to laboratories and fields. The fieldwork was shortened by about one month. Most importantly, a grad student was psychologically affected by the stress from the pandemic. I managed to care for him to make progress in the study. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project provided educational and research opportunities for PIs, graduate, and undergraduate students in agronomy and soil science. Specifically, scientific writing, designing experiments, critical thinking, scientific communications through meetings, seminars, special symposium, and publications. Most importantly, graduate students learned about the agricultural system in the Midwestern U.S. and were trained in the field and laboratory work. The postdoctoral fellow was able to train our research group in P-31 NMR techniques in our laboratory. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We had presentations at international conferences and grantees meetings and publications in international peer-reviewed journals. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The research findings were presented at ten international meetings and we were able to exchange information about the importance of storm event induced particulate P and introduce a passive detection method using novel hybrid anion exchange resin to monitor dissolved phosphate in tile water. We produced one book chapter, three published papers, two papers are in review, and one paper is in preparation. Eight presentations were given at international conferences. Two presentations will be given this fall at the annual ASA meeting. The research findings from this project are summarized below. A more complete understanding of the forms of P loss from tile systems is needed for better targeting and selection of agricultural management changes that could reduce critically important P losses from Midwestern agricultural lands. In particular, the flux of dissolved reactive P (DRP) and particulate P (PP) export is of interest to this study. We first developed a passive detection method to understand the movement of dissolved reactive P in tile water. Tile drainage waters carry considerable loads of phosphorus (P) from agricultural fields to rivers and streams in the Midwestern U.S. An innovative and economical approach to monitor DRP flux in tile waters is needed to understand the extent of P loss in field-scale. In this study, a passive sampling technique was evaluated in laboratory and field-scale experiments. Iron oxide-coated polyacrylic/polystyrene anion exchange resins (hybrid resins) in mesh bags were used as a P sink. Laboratory batch adsorption isotherm and kinetic experiments indicated that that the hybrid polyacrylic and polystyrene resins had high P adsorption capacity. The passive sampling method with field-calibrated hybrid resins produced DRP concentrations of tile waters that have no significant difference (p> 0.05) with the auto-sampling data in all tile lines. The average DRP concentrations throughout the monitoring period were 0.006-0.016 mg/L, which corresponded to loads of P loss at 0.10-0.78 g/ha/day. A rapid increase in DRP concentration during storm events and subsequent flooding events was also predicted well. In conclusion, a passive detection method using iron oxide coated hybrid resins can be recommended for monitoring seasonally fluctuating DRP flux in tile drainage waters as long as the hybrid resins are well-calibrated for specific field conditions (e.g., flow rate and a concentration range). To expand the use of the passive detection technique from the field tothe watershed scale, it requires field-specific calibration of adsorbents in river and drainage waters where the DRP concentration is an order of magnitude higher. Subsurface stormflow of P, including particulate P(PP), has been monitored as an important P transport path in contrast to typical surface runoff events. Our field monitoring data suggested that there was an increase in TP during spring storm events. We employed cutting edge chemical analysis to speciate P and understand the P load in the critically important colloidal and particulate forms of P in tile waters and downstream rivers. In slightly alkaline pH tile water, total P was ranging from ~0.06 to 0.22 mg L-1, which is significantly greater than dissolved reactive P (DRP) (~0.02-0.08 mg L-1). The tile water contains P enriched particulate matters (~200-660 mg L-1). Total P in the colloidal fraction was from 1,013 to 2,270 mg kg-1. Phosphate and organic P species, especially monoesters, are sorbed in soil colloids like calcite, and iron oxides and colloids are effective carriers of P during storm events. Rivers have higher total and inorganic P concentrations than tile drainages in all three fractions (i.e. silt-sized, colloidal and dissolve fractions). However, the P distribution on three fractions has no significant difference between tile and river samples. Colloidal fractions of tile and river samples have comparable element distribution. Particulate P that contains both inorganic and organic P contribute to the release of P during high flow events. It is likely that it is contributing to a large fraction of P release from intensively managed IL agricultural lands. The results of this study showed that storm events can accelerate the subsurface transport of P with soil particles in addition to DRP.

Publications

  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Accepted Year Published: 2020 Citation: Li, Z. and Arai, Y. 2020. Comprehensive evaluation of mineral adsorbents for phosphate removal in agricultural water. Advances in Agronomy. Volume 164. (In Press).
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2020 Citation: Li, Z., Xu, S., Li, Y. and Arai, Y. 2020. Novel application of hybrid anion exchange resin for phosphate desorption kinetics in soils: Minimizing re-adsorption of desorbed ions. Soil Systems. (In Press).
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Xu, S., Gentry, L., Chen, K. and Arai, Y. 2020. Intensive agricultural management induced subsurface accumulation of labile phosphorus in tile line dominated Midwestern agricultural soils. Soil Science Society of America Journal (In Press) https://doi.org/10.1002/saj2.20089.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2020 Citation: Xiaoqian Jiang, Lowell Gentry and Yuji Arai. 2020. High flow event induced the release of particulate phosphorus and its speciaiton in Midwestern U.S. Tile Drainage Systems (In Review).
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Xiaoqian Jiang and Yuji Arai. 2018. Effect of NaOH-EDTA extraction time on the degradation of phosphate compounds. Geoderma. 324:77-79.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Chen, K. and Arai, Y. 2019. X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption near edge structure spectroscopic investigation of hydroxyapatite formation under slightly acidic and neutral pH conditions. ACS Earth and Space Chemistry. 3, 10, 2266-2275.
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Under Review Year Published: 2020 Citation: Zhe Li. 2020. Passive detection of phosphorus in agricultural drainage waters using reactive hybrid anion exchange resins. Doctorate of Philosophy Degree dissertation. Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Submitted Year Published: 2020 Citation: Li Zhe and Yuji Arai. 2020. Novel application of hybrid anion exchange resin for phosphate desorption kinetics in soils: Minimizing re-adsorption of desorbed ions. The American Society of Agronomy, the Crop Science Society of America, and the Soil Science Society of America. Phoenix, Arizona.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Submitted Year Published: 2020 Citation: Li Zhe, Lowell Gentry, M. Chu and Yuji Arai. 2020. Passive detection of phosphorus in agricultural tile waters using reactive hybrid anion exchange resins. The American Society of Agronomy, the Crop Science Society of America, and the Soil Science Society of America. Phoenix, Arizona.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Yuji Arai et al., 2019. Colloidal iron oxide controlled subsurface phosphorus transport in intensively managed agricultural soils. 15th International Conference on the Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements (ICOBTE), Nanjing, China.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Yuji Arai, Xiaoqian Jiang, Mark David and Lowell Gentry. 2018. Characterization of particulate and dissolved phosphorus in tile and nearby riverine systems. NIFA grantee Jan 2018. Washington, D.C. Jan 2018.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Yuji Arai, Xiaoqian Jiang, Mark David and Lowell Gentry. 2018. Importance of particulate phosphorus in tile and nearby riverine systems. A joint NSF and NIFA grantees meeting. Jan. 2018.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Xiaoqian Jiang, Lowell Gentry and Yuji Arai. 2017. Characterization of particulate and dissolved phosphorus in tile and nearby riverine systems. American geophysical union, New Orleans, Louisianna.
  • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2016 Citation: Yuji Arai. 2016. China Agricultural University molecular environmental soil chemistry: From Radionuclides to nutrients. Oct 22, 2016.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Chen Ai and Yuji Arai, Functional group specific phytic acid adsorption at ferrihydrite-water interface. 2019 ACS Great lakes regional meeting, Lisle, Illinois.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Yuji Arai, Kai-yue Chen, Suwei Xu, Zhe Li, Ai Chen, Mary Arenberg, Lowell Gentry and Mark David. 2018. NIFA Grantee: Sources and transport of phosphorus in tile drained agricultural watersheds using advanced chemical analysis. Newark, Deleware.


Progress 05/01/18 to 04/30/19

Outputs
Target Audience:In order to effectively disseminate our research findings, the PI has targeted audiences in agriculture sciences,water and soil science,and environmental engineering related fields. Changes/Problems:The original plan to fractionate the colloidal particles in several fractions was changed due to a large amount of silt fraction. The amount of total colloid in a liter of sample was very small. The quantity of colloids was limited for some chemical analysis although we collected 5-10L of samples per site. The deployment of P sensor, seabird, did not work well due to unexpected sediment load. The sensor did not work to detect dissolved P. We tested several anion exchange resins and ZVI granules. While the resin shows the promising applications for the field experiments, ZVI granules did not work well. Oxidation products, ferrihydrite particulates leached out from mesh bags. We have decided to cancel the use of ZVI. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The PI had opportunities to train graduate students and a postdoctoral researcher through this project. The postdoctoral fellow was able to train several graduate students in P NMR techniques in our laboratory. The postdoctoral fellow had an opportunity to present our research at the national meeting. Graduate students were trained in experimental P geochemistry. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We have presentations at international conferences and grantees meetings and publications in international peer-reviewed journals. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The PI is currently working on a manuscript and a literature review (critical evaluation of P adsorbent at near neutral pH) and is planning to make progress on the field deployment of P adsorbent s (hybrid resin) this year and next Spring. We also plan synchrotron-based X-ray microprobe measurements on water extracted colloids and soils samples in Fall 2019 and Spring 2020.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The PI's effort in this period was focused on: 1. Sampling of colloidal P in tile lines and rivers that receive tile flows during Spring high flow events; 2. Fractionate and characterize the colloidal P using chemical extraction and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR); and 3. Testing field deployment of reactive adsorbentsin the laboratory and in fields. The field work was also complimented by the use of molecular scale techniques andsynchrotron based X-ray techniques at Stanford Synchrotron Radiation laboratory in Menlo Park, Californiaand at Advance Photon Source inArgonne, Illinois.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Other Year Published: 2020 Citation: Xiaoqian Jiang, Lowell Gentry and Yuji Arai. 2020. High flow event induced the release of particulate phosphorus in Midwestern U.S. tile drainage systems (In Preparation).
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Other Year Published: 2020 Citation: Zhe Li and Yuji Arai. 2019. A comprehensive evaluation of adsorbents to recover phosphate at near neutral pH (In Preparation).
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Xiaoqian Jiang and Yuji Arai. 2018. Effect of NaOH-EDTA extraction time on the degradation of phosphate compounds. Geoderma. 324:77-79.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2019 Citation: Kai-yue Chen and Yuji Arai. 2019. X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption near edge structure spectroscopic investigation of hydroxyapatite formation under slightly acidic and neutral pH conditions. ACS Earth and Space Chemistry (In Review).
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2019 Citation: Suwei Xu, Lowell Gentry and Yuji Arai. 2019. Intensive agricultural management induced subsurface accumulation of phosphorus in tile line dominated Midwestern agricultural soils (Submitted).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2019 Citation: Yuji Arai et al. 2019. Colloidal iron oxide controlled subsurface phosphorus transport in intensively managed agricultural soils. 2019 ICOBTE, Nanjing, China.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2019 Citation: Chen Ai and Yuji Arai. 2019. Functional group specific phytic acid adsorption at ferrihydrite-water interface. 2019 ACS Great lakes regional meeting, Lisle, Illinois.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2018 Citation: Yuji Arai, Kai-yue Chen, Suwei Xu, Zhe Li, Ai Chen, Mary Arenberg, Lowell Gentry and Mark David. 2018. NIFA grantee meeting May 2018: Sources and transport of phosphorus in tile-drained agricultural watersheds using advanced chemical analysis. Newark, Delaware.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2019 Citation: Yuji Arai, Xiaoqian Jiang, Mark David and Lowell Gentry. 2019. Importance of particulate phosphorus in tile and nearby riverine systems. A joint NSF and NIFA grantees meeting.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: Xiaoqian Jiang, Lowell Gentry and Yuji Arai. 2017. Characterization of particulate and dissolved phosphorus in tile and nearby riverine systems. AGU New Orleans, Louisiana.
  • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2016 Citation: Yuji Arai. 2016. China Agricultural University molecular environmental soil chemistry: From radionuclides to nutrients. October 22, 2016.


Progress 05/01/17 to 04/30/18

Outputs
Target Audience:In order to effectively disseminate our research findings, we have targeted audiences in agriculture sciences, water and soil science, and in environmental engineering and related fields. Changes/Problems:The original plan to fractionate the colloidal particles in several fractions wascancelled due to a large amount of silt. The amount of total colloid in a liter of sample was very small. The quantity of colloids was limited for some chemical analysis although we collected 5-10L of samples per site. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?We had opportunities to train a post doctoral researcher through this project. The postdoctoral fellow was able to train several students in phosphorusNMR techniques in our laboratory. The postdoctoral fellow had an opportunity to present our research at anational meeting. A doctoral student has been working on a large review paper for a critical review in phosphorusadsorbents. We expect to finish it in the next several months. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We hadpresentations at the 2017 American Geophysical Union meeting in December of 2017 and at the NIFA grantees meeting in January of 2018. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We are currently working on a manuscript, and planto make significant progress on the selection of phosphorus adsorbents. The doctoral student is currently working on a large literature review titled "A critical review of phosphorus adsorbents".

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Our effort in this period was focused on the sampling of colloidal phosphorus in tile lines and rivers that receive tile flows during Spring high flow events and on efforts to fractionate and characterize the colloidal phosphorususing chemical extraction and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). The field work was also complimented by the use of molecular scale techniques and synchrotron based X-ray techniques at Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory in Menlo Park, California and at Advance Photon Source inArgonne, Illinois.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2018 Citation: Xiaoqian Jiang and Yuji Arai. 2018. Effect of NaOH-EDTA extraction time on the degradation of phosphate compounds. Geoderma.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2018 Citation: Xiaoqian Jiang, Lowell Gentry and Yuji Arai. 2018. Characterization of particulate and dissolved phosphorus in tile and nearby riverine systems.


Progress 05/01/16 to 04/30/17

Outputs
Target Audience: Nothing Reported Changes/Problems:It took us a while to find and hire a post doctoral student with the background and experience we need to conduct these cutting edge techniques. This was accomplished and the postdoc is now fully involved with the project. We are still seeking an MS student for the project, and should have one in the fall of 2017.Getting the right students has taken time, but we need specific backgrounds for this work to be successful. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will be working on Objectives 1, 2 and 3 during the next reporting period.Assuming that we will have enough colloid samples in tile drainage water during storm event, we will identify the forms of colloidal and particulate P in tile and river water and assess the contribution of various P sources, including tiles, surface runoff, and riverine sources to overall watershed export of P.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? During the first year, we focused on Objectives 2 and 4. Using the samples collected at the watershed outlet in 2016, we began cutting edge macroscopic and spectroscopic measurements using the samples from 2016. For Objective 2, the examination of the P forms with transmission electron microscopy has been completed in colloid samples (>0.2 um) and a post doctoral researcher has conducted several experiments to determine appropriate parameters and reaction conditions (e.g., particle fractionation and suspension density) for the spectroscopic and macroscopic measurements. Specifically, NMR facility and zetasizer/dynamic light scattering (particle size distribution have been our focus during the period). We are anticipating the spring storm event to collect the fresh tile water/colloid samples for further measurements. The examination of the P forms is underway. PIs have already submitted and received beam time for P XANES analysis at synchrotron based X-ray techniques at Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory (SSRL) in Menlo Park, California and at Advance Photon Source (APS) in Argonne, Illinois. PI has collected P XANES spectra of important reference compounds in fall 2016-spring 2017 and future beam time is anticipated at SSRL and APS For Objective 4, we have installed a Sea-Bird Coastal Cycle PO4 sensor in the watershed outlet, allowing for hourly reactive P measurements. In addition, samples will be collected from fields, tiles, and the river in the Embarras River watershed of east-central Illinois.

Publications