渝东北紫色土饱和导水率传递函数研究

为研究渝东北紫色土理化性质在垂直空间上的分布情况以及对饱和导水率的影响,进而建立饱和导水率与各理化性质间的关系函数,推求饱和导水率的传递函数,选择渝东北开州区、云阳县等7个区县内45个紫色土典型田块为研究区域,运用Excel 2013和Matlab 2015b软件统计分析后,利用多元非线性回归法推求并验证了渝东北紫色土饱和导水率传递函数模型和模型参数。研究表明:①研究区土壤饱和导水率变化范围在0.16～195.68 cm/d,变化范围广,空间变异系数大,变异性较强;同一采样点深度越大,饱和导水率越小;②土壤饱和导水率与有机质含量有显著的指数函数关系,与饱和含水量有较强的二次函数关系,与土壤容重和土壤颗粒的相关性不大;③本次试验建立的土壤饱和导水率传递函数模型及模型系数检验合格,预测值与实际测算值误差较小,精度良好,可用于渝东北紫色土饱和导水率的预测工作。     

Stability behavior of soil colloidal suspensions in relation to sequential reduction of soils

Flocculation and dispersion of colloidal particles of nine inorganic paddy soils were studied mainly based on turbidity measurements of the suspensions of soils which were previously incubated at 28°C under in vitro waterlogged conditions. After 1-week of incubation, the turbidity of the soils except for 1) two soils containing larger amounts of sodium salts and 2) one soil containing larger amounts of Fe and Al oxides, significantly decreased, and colloidal particles flocculated with 1) a decrease in soil Eh and 2) an increase in electric conductivity (EC). During the 3- to 4-week period of waterlogging, the turbidity of the three soils significantly increased with the 1) decrease in EC and 2) increase in pH of the soils although the Eh remained low. Infrared (IR) absorption analysis showed that the suspended colloidal particles consisted of layer silicates from respective soil clays. Oxidation of suspensions of waterlogged soils by air-bubbling led to an increase in turbidity with the 1) increase in Eh, and 2) decrease in pH, EC, and water-soluble Fe₂₊ concentration. It was suggested that the stability of the soil colloidal suspensions was affected by soil reduction with alterations in ionic species and their concentrations at clay surfaces and in soil solutions.     

Anisotrope Variation der gesättigten Wasserleitfähigkeit einer unterschiedlich beweideten Salzmarsch im Deichvorland

Anisotropic variation of saturated hydraulic conductivity of a variously grazed salt marsh soil Undisturbed core samples were taken in horizontal and vertical direction from a variously grazed salt marsh soil for investigation of the anisotropic variation of saturated hydraulic conductity K_sat, bulk density, and pore size distribution. The results show that saturated hydraulic conductivity varies significantly anisotropically. The average Kv/Kh ratio is 0.38 for the soil profile and 0.44 for the surface soil. This anisotropy of K_sat is mainly attributed to the stratified structure of soil due to the sedimentation conditions in the salt marsh environment and decreases if soil structure development through pedological processes progresses. Furthermore. K_sat decreases significantly if the stocking rate of grazing is larger than 1.0 sheep unit/ha and the effect is more pronounced near the dike. However, both the Kv and Kh are affected by grazing in the same manner, so that the anisotropy of K_sat is independent from grazing. Bulk densitiy and macroporosity are affected by grazing but not by the direction of sampling. There are significant correlations between K_sat and > 50 μm as well as > 10 μm pore volume. The correlation between K_sat and total porosity is however not significant. The anisotropy of K_sat implicates the favouring of the lateral water flux and in the hydrological research and modelling of the salt marsh ecosystem the anisotropy of K_sat should be taken into account.     

Effects of charcoal production on soil physical properties in Ghana

Charcoal production, widespread in Ghana like in other W African countries, is a major driver of land‐cover change. Effects of charcoal production on soil physical, including hydrological, properties, were studied in the forest–savannah transition zone of Ghana. Core and composite samples from 12 randomly selected sites across the width of Kotokosu watershed were taken from 0–10 cm layer at charcoal‐site soils and adjacent field soils (control). These were used to determine saturated hydraulic conductivity (K_sat), bulk density, total porosity, soil texture, and color. Infiltration rates, surface albedo, and soil‐surface temperature were also measured on both sites. The results showed that the saturated hydraulic conductivity of soils under charcoal kilns increased significantly (p < 0.01) from 6.1 ± 2.0 cm h^–1 to 11.4 ± 5.0 cm h^–1, resulting to a relative increase of 88%. Soil color became darkened under charcoal kilns with hue, value, and chroma decreasing by 8%, 20%, and 20%, respectively. Bulk density on charcoal‐site soils reduced by 9% compared to adjacent field soils. Total porosity increased from 45.7% on adjacent field soils to 50.6% on earth kilns. Surface albedo reduced by 37% on charcoal‐site soils while soil‐surface temperature increased up to 4°C on average. Higher infiltration rates were measured on charcoal‐site soils, which suggest a possible decrease in overland flow and less erosion on those kiln sites.     

Exploring the effect of organic matter on the interactions between mineral particles and cations with Wien effect measurements

Purpose

Understanding of the interactions between cations, mineral particles, and organic matter (OM) in soils is of paramount importance in plant nutrition and environmental science, and thus, these phenomena have been studied extensively. At present, an effective and simple tool to investigate these interactions does not exist. Based on previous studies of Wien effect in suspensions, the interactions of cations with soil mineral particles, complicated by the presence of organic matter, can be easily determined by means of Wien effect measurements, which was the objective of this study.

Materials and methods

A paddy soil originating from a yellow-brown soil, rich in organic matter, served as a test sample, from which the clay fraction of less than 2 μm in diameter was separated. Organic matter of aliquots of the clay fraction was removed by the oxidation with hot H₂O₂, and the natural and OM-free samples were saturated with various cations: Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Cd²⁺. The effects of OM present in the paddy soil on the interactions between the cations and the soil mineral particles were investigated by measuring the suspension Wien effect with a homemade apparatus, SHP-2.

Results and discussion

The weak electrical field electrical conductivities (EC₀) of suspensions of the natural soils saturated with various cations were higher than those of the OM-free soils. The rate of increase in electrical conductivity of suspensions of the OM-free soil, except that of suspensions saturated with Na⁺, at electrical field strengths >50～100 kV?cm^?1 was higher than those of the natural soil suspensions. The presence of OM increased the mean free binding energies of cations other than Na⁺. The increasing binding energies for K⁺ and Ca²⁺ were 0.56 and 0.57 kJ?mol^?1, respectively, which were significantly larger than the increase for Cd²⁺ as only 0.03 kJ?mol^?1. The binding energies of various cations on both natural and OM-free soils were all in the order: Na⁺?<?K⁺?<?Ca²⁺≈Cd²⁺. As opposed to its effect on the binding energies, the presence of OM reduced the mean free adsorption energies of the cations. Except for Na⁺, the adsorption energies of K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Cd²⁺ at field strengths >50 kV?cm^?1 were lower in the natural soil as compared with the OM-free soil, and the differences between the adsorption energies became larger with increasing field strengths. The presence of OM made the zeta potential of the soil particles saturated with Na⁺ and K⁺ positive, and the particles saturated with Ca²⁺ and Cd²⁺ negative.

Conclusions

Organic matter affected the interactions of cations with soil mineral particles significantly. Binding and adsorption energies, which were quantitative measures of the interactions between cations and soil particles, could be determined by Wien effect measurements in suspensions. The binding energies on natural soils were larger than those on the corresponding OM-free soils, and the adsorption energies on the natural soils were lower than those on OM-free soils.     

Soil hydraulic and physico-chemical properties of Ultisols and Inceptisols in south-eastern Nigeria

Understanding soil water dynamics and storage is important to avoid crop failure on highly weathered, porous and leached soils. The aim of the study was to relate soil moisture characteristics to particle-size distributions and chemical properties. On average, Atterberg limits were below 25% in the A-horizon and not more than26.56% in the B-horizon, whereas soil bulk density was between 1.27 and 1.66Mgm^?3. The saturated hydraulic conductivity (K_sat) was generally between 0.20 and 5.43 cm h^?1 in the top soil and <1.31 cm h^?1 in the subsoil. The higher K_sat values for the A-horizons were attributed to the influence soil microorganisms operating more in that horizon. The amount of water retained at field capacity or at permanent wilting point was greater in the B-horizons than in the A-horizons, suggesting that clay accumulation in the B-horizon and evapotranspiration effects in the A-horizon may have influenced water retention in the soils. Soil moisture parameters were positively related to clay content, silt content, exchangeable Mg²⁺, Fe₂O₃ and Al₂O₃, and negatively related to sand content, SiO₂, sodium absorption ratio, exchangeable sodium percentage and bulk density. The low clay content may explain why drainage was so rapid in the soils.     

Effect of soil pH on the sorption capacity of soil organic matter for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in unsaturated soils

Sorption by soil organic matter (SOM) is considered the most important process affecting the bioavailability of hydrophobic organic chemicals (HOCs)in soil.The sorption capacity of SOM for HOCs is affected by many environmental factors.In this study,we investigated the effects of soil pH and water saturation level on HOC sorption capacity of SOM using batch sorption experiments.Values of soil organic carbon-water partition coefficient (K_OC) of six selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocar...     

Effects of Cow Dung Biochar Amendment on Adsorption and Leaching of Nutrient from an Acid Yellow Soil Irrigated with Biogas Slurry

Knowledge of the saturated hydraulic conductivity (K _sat) of porous filters used in water treatment technologies is important for optimizing the retention of nutrients and pollutants. This parameter determines the hydraulic capacity, which together with the chemical properties of the filter media, affects the treatment performance of the filter system. However, measuring K _sat is time consuming and expensive. This study developed a novel transfer function to predict K _sat of coarse porous media from easily measured parameters. The hydro-physical parameters determined were K _sat, grain size distribution, bulk density, uniformity coefficient, particle density, and porosity of 46 porous media fractions. The fractions ranged in grain size from 0.5 to 20 mm and were obtained from seven commercial available coarse filter materials. A backward stepwise regression analysis was performed between K _sat and 10 variables obtained from the grain size distribution and bulk density. The optimal model for predicting K _sat contained two parameters, D₂₀ and D₅₀, which describe respectively the particle diameters, where 20 and 50 % of all particles are finer by weight. The predicted K _sat values were in good agreement with the measured values (R ²?=?0.91). The transfer function can find potential usage in relation to dimensioning of permeable agricultural drainage filters or subsurface-flow constructed wetlands. The predicted values of K _sat can also be used as input to numerical models that simulate filter treatment performance.     

Effect of Soil Sample Size on Saturated Soil Hydraulic Conductivity

Saturated hydraulic conductivity (K_sat) is regarded as a key soil physical variable to determine soil infiltration rate, percolation depth and other hydrological processes. The purpose of this study was to determine the best soil sampling’s ring size for measuring K_sat. For this purpose, 25 rings with five different diameters (2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 inch) and with the same depth of 20 cm (five replicates) were hammered in close vicinity to each other into the ground of undisturbed loess deposits of a small farm to measure K_sat and bulk density. Hydraulic conductivity was measured at three constant loads of 22, 27 and 32 cm. The results showed that the ring with the internal diameter of 6 inches had the minimum variation coefficient and maximum K_sat for all the three hydraulic heads. In addition, the bulk density of this ring size was less than the other rings.     

宁南山区草地植被恢复方式对土壤饱和导水率的影响

为评价宁南山区草地植被不同恢复方式对土壤入渗性能的影响,以不同植被群落的饱和导水率为研究对象,采用逐步回归研究退耕农地、禁牧荒地、封育草地导水率的变化及影响因子,并探讨了其作用机制。结果表明：3种植被恢复方式均有利于0-40 cm土壤饱和导水性能提高;各土层土壤饱和导水率均随植被恢复而不断提高,0-5 cm土层改善作用最为明显;农地退耕序列和荒地禁牧序列5-40 cm土层、封育草地序列0-40 cm土层土壤饱和导水率随土层深度下降而降低;影响土壤饱和导水率的因子为土壤有机质因子和土壤结构因子;3种植被恢复方式土壤有机质质量分数与Ks均呈显著的线性相关关系,在该区域有机质质量分数越高,Ks增加越快;土壤有机质积累是土壤饱和导水率提高的根本动力。因此,草地封育更利于提高使该地区土壤导水性能提高,促进生态恢复。     

Soil hydraulic properties influenced by corn stover removal from no-till corn in Ohio

Corn (Zea mays L.) stover removal for biofuel production and other uses may alter soil hydraulic properties, but site-specific information needed to determine the threshold levels of removal for the U.S. Corn Belt region is limited. This study quantified impacts of systematic removal of corn stover on soil hydraulic parameters after 1 year of stover management under no-till (NT) systems. These measurements were made on three soils in Ohio including Rayne silt loam (fine-loamy, mixed, active, mesic Typic Hapludult) at Coshocton, Hoytville clay loam (fine, illitic, mesic Mollic Epiaqualfs) at Hoytville, and Celina silt loam (fine, mixed, active, mesic Aquic Hapludalfs) at South Charleston. Interrelationships among soil properties and saturated hydraulic conductivity (K_sat) predictions were also assessed. Earthworm middens, K_sat, bulk density (ρ_b), soil water retention (SWR), pore-size distribution, and air permeability (k_a) were determined for six stover treatments. Stover treatments consisted of removing 0 (T100), 25 (T75), 50 (T50), 75 (T25), 100 (T0) and adding 100 (T200)% of corn stover corresponding to 0, 1.25, 2.50, 3.75, 5.00, and 10.00 Mg ha⁻¹ of stover, respectively. Stover removal reduced the number of middens, K_sat, SWR, and k_a, and increased ρ_b at all sites (P < 0.01). Compared to normal stover treatment (T100), complete stover removal (T0) reduced earthworm middens 6-fold at Coshocton and about 14-fold at Hoytville and Charleston. Geometric mean K_sat decreased from 3.1 to 0.1 mm h⁻¹ at Coshocton, 4.2 to 0.3 mm h⁻¹ at Hoytville, and 4.2 to 0.6 mm h⁻¹ at Charleston while soil ρ_b increased about 12% in the 0–10-cm depth at Coshocton and Hoytville from T100 to T0. The SWR for T0 was about 70% of that for T100 and 58% of that for T200 at 0 to −6 kPa suctions across sites. The log k_a for T200, T100, and T75 significantly exceeded that under T50, T25, and T0 at Coshocton and Charleston. Differences in the number of middens, ρ_b, SWR, K_sat, and k_a between T100 and T200 were not generally significant although the T200 retained slightly more water for the 0 to −100 kPa at Charleston and had higher k_a at Hoytville compared to T100. Measured parameters were strongly correlated, and k_a was a strong K_sat predictor. Stover harvesting induces rapid changes in soil hydraulic properties and earthworm activity, but further monitoring is needed to ascertain the threshold levels of stover removal for soil-specific conditions.     

Change of dry bulk density and Ksat after incubation of a soil in the presence of organic amendments

Abstract

Kamouraska Ap horizon samples were incubated in the presence of organic amendments, peat moss, straw, compost and green manure, applied at a rate equivalent to 7.5 t of carbon/ha. Water was added to reach 80% of field capacity. The soil‐amendement mixtures were incubated at 37°C for periods of 4, 8, 16, 32 or 64 weeks. Settling tests were performed using a jolting volumeter. Minimum dry bulk density (mDBD), saturated hydraulic conductivity (K_sat) and water content at field capacity were determined. For the unamended soil, mDBD corresponded to 1.1 g.cm^‐3 and K_{sat max} to 265 cm/h. After incubation, mDBD varied from 1.02 to 1.12 g.cm^‐3 and K_{sat max} values were generally below 150 cm/h. The results were discussed in relation to the decomposition of the organic amendments and the formation of stable aggregates.     

陕北水蚀风蚀交错区两种生物结皮对土壤饱和导水率的影响

该文以陕北水蚀风蚀交错区普遍发育的地表和地上两种生物结皮为研究对象，分别以3种非生物结皮（无结皮、物理结皮、去除生物结皮）为对照，使用盘式入渗仪测定其饱和导水率。结果表明：与无结皮土壤相比，两种类型生物结皮均可极显著降低土壤饱和导水率；与去除生物结皮土壤相比，两种类型生物结皮对土壤饱和导水率的降低均不显著；与有物理结皮发育的土壤相比，地表生物结皮对土壤饱和导水率的降低不显著，而地上生物结皮对土壤饱和导水率的降低显著。一方面，两种生物结皮对土壤饱和导水率均有明显降低作用，预示生物结皮在降雨活动中可能会增加径流、降低入渗，阻碍研究区水分亏缺条件下的植被恢复和生态与环境建设。另一方面，与不同的对照相比，生物结皮对土壤饱和导水率的影响截然不同，该结论可在一定程度上解释当前有关生物结皮影响土壤水分入渗方面所存在的分歧。     

Effect of straw and plastic film management under contrasting tillage practices on the physical properties of an erodible loess soil

The current cropping system of excessive tillage and stubble removal in the northwestern Loess Plateau of China is clearly unsustainable. A better understanding of tillage and surface cover management on surface soil structure is vital for the development of effective soil conservation practices in the long term. Changes in surface soil structure and hydraulic properties were measured after 4 years of straw and plastic film management under contrasting tillage practices (no tillage vs. conventional tillage) in a silt loam soil (Los Orthic Entisol) which had been under conventional management for hundred of years in the northwestern Loess Plateau, China. Surface soil (0–10 cm) under no tillage with straw cover had the highest water stability of macro-aggregates (>250 μm) and the highest saturated hydraulic conductivity. Compared with straw cover, plastic film cover did not change macro-aggregate stability and the soil had the lowest saturated hydraulic conductivity (K_sat) but the highest % <50 μm soil particles. Significant correlation was found between water stable macro-aggregates and soil organic carbon content, indication the importance of the latter on soil structural development. No tillage on its own (without straw cover) was not sufficient to improve structural stability probably due to lack of organic carbon input. While use of plastic film cover might lead to short term yield increases, results indicated that it did little to improve soil physical fertility. On the other hand, no tillage with straw cover management should lead to long-term improvement of physical quality of this structurally fragile soil.     

干粉PAM溶解时间对土壤饱和导水率的动态影响

本试验选取两种质地土壤(黏壤土和砂壤土),采用3种干粉PAM施用水平(0、22.5 kg/hm~2和45 kg/hm~2),测定土样在10.25 mm/h入渗速度下的土壤饱和导水率(KS),然后根据土样团聚体含量和稳定性及团聚结构的微观图片,分析干粉PAM影响下土壤结构的变化特征,进而说明干粉PAM溶解时间对KS的影响机理。结果表明:施用PAM后,KS随干粉PAM在水中溶解时间的延长而逐渐减小,最终趋于稳定;干粉PAM溶解时间较短时,PAM处理的KS高于对照,其中PAM施用水平45 kg/hm~2时砂壤土KS提高幅度最大,较对照提高26.87%,但不同PAM施用量处理间的KS差异不显著。干粉PAM溶解时间足够长时,PAM处理的KS均显著低于对照,其中PAM施用水平45 kg/hm~2时黏壤土KS降低幅度最大,较对照降低10.86%,但是不同施用量处理间KS差异不显著。从影响机理上分析,PAM主要是通过增加土壤团聚体含量及稳定性来提高KS;而干粉PAM溶解时间足够长时,由于PAM易吸附土壤颗粒,水解后的PAM分子链不断伸张延长,堵塞了土壤孔隙,加上PAM本身的黏滞特性,从而降低了KS。研究干粉PAM溶解时间对KS的动态影响,可以为PAM在改善土壤导水能力方面的应用提供理论依据。     

The effect of strong hydroxide solutions on the stability of aggregates and hydraulic conductivity of soil

The effect of two hydroxides (NaOH and KOH) and two chlorides (NaCl and KCl) on aggregate stability and saturated hydraulic conductivity (K_s) was studied in three New Zealand soils using concentrations (0.003, 0.03, and 0.3 m ) typical of the range of _pH found in strongly alkaline industrial liquid wastes. The different solutions were used as pretreatments prior to aggregate stability measurements and as influent solutions for K_s measurements. The concentration of hydroxide appeared to be the most important factor affecting aggregate stability and K_S in all soils. Aggregate stability and K_s decreased with increasing hydroxide concentration, but were generally unaffected by chloride solutions. Relative K_s decreased to <2.5% of initial k_S with all hydroxide concentrations, but the time until a decrease ocurred depended on concentration. In contrast, relative k_S remained > 100% with chloride solutions, but decreased substantially when distilled water replaced the chloride solutions. Differences in aggregate stability and K_s due to the cation present (either Na⁺ or K⁺) appeared to be very small. A surface crust formed in the upper 1 cm of the soils leached with hydroxide solutions. This surface crust had substantially less organic carbon than the upper 1 cm of soil from the cores leached with chloride. A two-stage process explains the decrease in k_s when strongly alkaline solutions are applied to soil. First, organic matter dissolution decreases aggregate stability, with the rate of organic matter dissolution depending on hydroxide concentration; and second, increased repulsion of soil particles (due to increased _pH) causes movement of dislodged particles into pore spaces, resulting in decreased K_s.     

黄土丘陵区典型植被土壤物理性质差异及其对导水特性影响

选取黄土丘陵区12种典型植被样地,通过测定各样地不同土层植物残体生物量、土壤容重、毛管孔隙度、非毛管孔隙度及饱和导水率,研究各指标随土层深度和植被类型的变化规律及其对土壤饱和导水率的影响。结果表明:(1)除容重随土层深度增加外,植物残体、毛管孔隙度、非毛管孔隙度和饱和导水率均随土层深度减少,其中植物残体大多集中于表层土壤(0—10 cm),占总残体生物量的51.4%～85.7%。(2)不同植被类型其植物残体及土壤物理性质存在显著差异,乔木林地植物残体、农耕地土壤容重、灌木林地非毛管孔隙度及饱和导水率均最大,而毛管孔隙度与不同土地利用类型间无显著差异。(3)饱和导水率随植物残体生物量密度(0—10 cm)和土壤容重呈幂函数减小,随毛管孔隙度和非毛管孔隙度呈幂函数增大;土壤容重(BD)和非毛管孔隙度(NCP)是影响土壤饱和导水率(K_s)的主要因素,且土壤饱和导水率可表示为两者的综合非线性方程(K_s=0.6BD~(-4.717)NCP~(0.203),P0.01,R~2=0.63,NSE=0.50)。此外,沙棘灌木林地平均饱和导水率最大,有利于降雨过程中土壤水分入渗,具有较强的水土保持功能。本研究结果可为黄土高原植被恢复生态水文效益评价提供理论依据。     

Effect of zeolite on saturated hydraulic conductivity and crack behavior of silty clay paddled soil

The addition of zeolites to soil modifies soil physical and chemical properties. The objectives of this research were to study the effect of zeolite on saturated hydraulic conductivity, K _s, and crack behavior in a silty clay paddled soil. Soil samples were mixed with 0, 4, 8 and 12 g kg^?1 of zeolite for K _s determination, and 0, 2, 4, 8 and 12 g kg^?1 for soil crack measurements. Saturated hydraulic conductivity was measured using the constant head method. The results indicated that K _s was significantly increased at a zeolite application rate of 8 g kg^?1. Furthermore, an increase in zeolite content up to 8 g kg^?1 decreased soil crack area after paddling and first rewetting. Higher amounts of zeolite (e.g. 12 g kg^?1) increased crack density after the second rewetting. However, a 50% reduction in crack depth occurred with zeolite application rates of 8 and 12 g kg^?1 in comparison with controls. Thus, a zeolite application rate of 8 g kg^?1 is recommended for soil crack reduction in intermittent-flood irrigation. Furthermore, a relationship was obtained between crack area density (Ln), gravimetric soil water content and zeolite application rate. After the second irrigation, a relationship was also obtained between crack depth, gravimetric soil water content and zeolite application rate. Crack depth showed a positive and highly significant linear correlation with crack width.     

The effect of soil phosphorus on particulate phosphorus in land runoff

Accumulation of surplus phosphorus (P) in the soil and the resulting increased transport of P in land runoff contribute to freshwater eutrophication. The effects of increasing soil P (19–194 mg Olsen‐P (OP) kg⁻¹) on the concentrations of particulate P (PP), and sorption properties (Q_max, k and EPCo) of suspended solids (SS) in overland flow from 15 unreplicated field plots established on a dispersive arable soil were measured over three monitoring periods under natural rainfall. Concentrations of PP in plot runoff increased linearly at a rate of 2.6 μg litre⁻¹ per mg OP kg⁻¹ of soil, but this rate was approximately 50% of the rate of increase in dissolved P (< 0.45 μm). Concentrations of SS in runoff were similar across all plots and contained a greater P sorption capacity (mean + 57%) than the soil because of enrichment with fine silt and clay (0.45–20 μm). As soil P increased, the P enrichment ratio of the SS declined exponentially, and the values of P saturation (P_sat; 15–42%) and equilibrium P concentration (EPCo; 0.7–5.5 mg litre⁻¹) in the SS fell within narrower ranges compared with the soils (6–74% and 0.1–10 mg litre⁻¹, respectively). When OP was < 100 mg kg⁻¹, P_sat and EPCo values in the SS were smaller than those in the soil and vice‐versa, suggesting that eroding particles from soils with both average and high P fertility would release P on entering the local (Rosemaund) stream. Increasing soil OP from average to high P fertility increased the P content of the SS by approximately 10%, but had no significant (P > 0.05) effect on the P_sat, or EPCo, of the SS. Management options to reduce soil P status as a means of reducing P losses in land runoff and minimizing eutrophication risk may therefore have more limited effect than is currently assumed in catchment management.