Phosphorus (P) limitation often constrains biological processes in Arctic tundra ecosystems. Although adsorption to soil minerals may limit P bioavailability and export from soils into aquatic systems, the contribution of mineral phases to P retention in Arctic tundra is poorly understood. Our objective was to use X-ray absorption spectroscopy to characterize P speciation and associations with soil minerals along hillslope toposequences and in undisturbed and disturbed low-lying wet sedge tundra on the North Slope, AK. Biogenic mats comprised of short-range ordered iron (Fe) oxyhydroxides were prevalent in undisturbed wet sedge meadows. Upland soils and pond sediments impacted by gravel mining or thermokarst lacked biogenic Fe mats and were comparatively iron poor. Phosphorus was primarily contained in organic compounds in hillslope soils but associated with Fe(III) oxyhydroxides in undisturbed wet sedge meadows and calcium (Ca) in disturbed pond sediments. We infer that phosphate mobilized through organic decomposition binds to Fe(III) oxyhydroxides in wet sedge, but these associations are disrupted by physical disturbance that removes Fe mats. Increasing disturbances of the Arctic tundra may continue to alter the mineralogical composition of soils at terrestrial-aquatic interfaces and binding mechanisms that could inhibit or promote transport of bioavailable P from soils to aquatic ecosystems.
Berens, Matthew John, et al. "Phosphorus Interactions with Iron in Undisturbed and Disturbed Arctic Tundra Ecosystems." Environmental Science and Technology, vol. 58, no. 26, Jun. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c09072
Berens, Matthew John, Michaud, Alexander Bryce, VanderJeugdt, Erin, Miah, Imtiaz, Sutor, Frederick W., Emerson, David, Bowden, William B., Kinsman-Costello, Lauren, Weintraub, Michael N., & Herndon, Elizabeth M. (2024). Phosphorus Interactions with Iron in Undisturbed and Disturbed Arctic Tundra Ecosystems. Environmental Science and Technology, 58(26). https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c09072
Berens, Matthew John, Michaud, Alexander Bryce, VanderJeugdt, Erin, et al., "Phosphorus Interactions with Iron in Undisturbed and Disturbed Arctic Tundra Ecosystems," Environmental Science and Technology 58, no. 26 (2024), https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c09072
@article{osti_2375551,
author = {Berens, Matthew John and Michaud, Alexander Bryce and VanderJeugdt, Erin and Miah, Imtiaz and Sutor, Frederick W. and Emerson, David and Bowden, William B. and Kinsman-Costello, Lauren and Weintraub, Michael N. and Herndon, Elizabeth M.},
title = {Phosphorus Interactions with Iron in Undisturbed and Disturbed Arctic Tundra Ecosystems},
annote = {Phosphorus (P) limitation often constrains biological processes in Arctic tundra ecosystems. Although adsorption to soil minerals may limit P bioavailability and export from soils into aquatic systems, the contribution of mineral phases to P retention in Arctic tundra is poorly understood. Our objective was to use X-ray absorption spectroscopy to characterize P speciation and associations with soil minerals along hillslope toposequences and in undisturbed and disturbed low-lying wet sedge tundra on the North Slope, AK. Biogenic mats comprised of short-range ordered iron (Fe) oxyhydroxides were prevalent in undisturbed wet sedge meadows. Upland soils and pond sediments impacted by gravel mining or thermokarst lacked biogenic Fe mats and were comparatively iron poor. Phosphorus was primarily contained in organic compounds in hillslope soils but associated with Fe(III) oxyhydroxides in undisturbed wet sedge meadows and calcium (Ca) in disturbed pond sediments. We infer that phosphate mobilized through organic decomposition binds to Fe(III) oxyhydroxides in wet sedge, but these associations are disrupted by physical disturbance that removes Fe mats. Increasing disturbances of the Arctic tundra may continue to alter the mineralogical composition of soils at terrestrial-aquatic interfaces and binding mechanisms that could inhibit or promote transport of bioavailable P from soils to aquatic ecosystems.},
doi = {10.1021/acs.est.3c09072},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/2375551},
journal = {Environmental Science and Technology},
issn = {ISSN 0013-936X},
number = {26},
volume = {58},
place = {United States},
publisher = {American Chemical Society (ACS)},
year = {2024},
month = {06}}
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States). Advanced Photon Source (APS)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE; National Science Foundation (NSF)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC05-00OR22725; AC02-06CH11357; OPP 2006194; EAR 1609027; DEB 1754358; DEB 1754379; DEB 1637459; ERKPA45
OSTI ID:
2375551
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 2397465
Journal Information:
Environmental Science and Technology, Vol. 58, Issue 26; ISSN 0013-936X