Factors affecting phosphate concentrations in surface and subsurface runoff from steep East Coast hill country : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Applied Science, Department of Soil Science, Massey University

Abstract

Eutrophication is a problem receiving much attention within New Zealand and throughout the rest of the world. Problems associated with eutrophication cause major financial, aesthetic and recreational costs to not only commercial and recreational water users but to society in general. The major nutrient of concern in relation to eutrophication is phosphorus (P) as it is often considered to be the limiting factor. The two major areas from which P enters waterways are point sources and non-point sources. Point sources are relatively easy to identify and quantify. Non-point sources however, are less easy to quantify due to the size of areas from which P is sourced and the number of varying factors which can affect the amount of P which is lost to water-ways. This study investigated P concentrations in surface runoff and subsurface flow from steep east coast hill country. Factors studied included aspect, soil P status, season and fertiliser addition. The study was carried out on grazed pasture farmlets, in which there were 'High P' and 'Low P' fertiliser regimes. Each regime had north and south facing aspects. Four sites were used in the study. High P North (HPN), High P South (HPS), Low P North (LPN) and Low P South (LPS). Simulated rainfall was applied to the sites and surface runoff samples were collected and analysed for dissolved reactive phosphate concentration (DRP). Superphosphate fertiliser was then applied at 20 kg P ha-1 to each site and the runoff procedure was repeated 7 weeks and 14 weeks the lower P soil test values on the south-facing slopes. A water extractable P test provided a better correlation with runoff DRP concentrations for individual runoff events than the Olsen P test. Both tests however, provided poor correlations when all of the Runs were combined. This was due largely to the large increase in DRP concentrations in surface runoff in Run 3 with no corresponding increase in soil tests. There was no apparent relationship between fertiliser regime i.e. soil P status, and the concentration of DRP in subsurface runoff. In Run 3 however, there was a marked increase in subsurface DRP concentration for both sites which was consistent with the surface runoff results and supported the theory of soil moisture playing a major role in determining the DRP concentration in water. The study suggests that the greatest risk of P loss from soil to surface waters will be from northerly aspects with high fertiliser histories during the summer months when soil moisture levels are low