Publication Number 460-121, posted May 1999
Figure 3. Phosphorus (P) adsorption isotherms for a Southwest Virginia mine soil over three growing seasons. The isotherms indicate that as the concentration of P in solution increases, the amount adsorbed and "fixed" increases. The consistent increase in P-fixation over time is due to the formation of iron oxide coatings in the soil as it weathers, and indicates that long term P-availability can be a problem if not managed correctly.
Return to the Powell River Project -- Creation and Management of Productive Mine Soils