Phosphorus sorption isotherms in soils of the semiarid region of Brazil

Abstract

The soils of the Semiarid region of Brazil lack studies regarding sorption processes and availability of phosphorus (P). Therefore, the objective of this work was to quantify the sorption of P in ten soils representative of the Semiarid region of Brazil and correlate them with the soil phosphorus storage capacity. The P concentrations in the equilibrium solutions used to model the sorption isotherms were: 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 55, 70, and 80 mg L-1 for the soils Typic Quartzipsamment (Neossolo Quartzarenico), Typic Hapludox (Latossolo Vermelho Amarelo), Typic Hapludult (Argissolo Vermelho Amarelo), Typic Quartzipsamment (Neossolo Flúvico), and Typic Dystrudept (Cambissolo Haplico); and 0, 10, 15, 25, 40, 55, 80, 100, 130, and 150 mg L-1 for the soils Typic Calciudolls (Chernossolo Rendzico), Typic Dystrudept (Cambissolo Haplico), Typic Dystrudept (Cambissolo Haplico), Typic Hapludult (Argissolo Vermelho Amarelo), and Typic Hapludert (Vertissolo Haplico). The Langmuir and Freundlich sorption isotherms were fitted to non-linear regression models and the values of the model parameters were estimated. The sorption isotherms were adequate to quantify the sorption of P in the soils of the Semiarid region of Brazil, with maximum P sorption capacity varying from 50.4 mg kg-1 to 883.5 mg kg-1. The sorption of P was higher in soils with more clayey textures, alkaline, and rich in iron and calcium, denoting the importance of evaluating the effect of these characteristics on the sorption of P in these soils.