Migration and transformation of different phosphorus forms in rainfall runoff in bioretention system

Abstract

Artificial bioretention system consisting of Ophiopogon japonicus infiltration medium was used to simulate an infiltration experiment of rainfall runoff. Continuous extraction method was used to detect contents of inorganic phosphorus (P) under exchangeable state (Ex-P) and aluminium phosphate (Al–P) and iron phosphate (Fe–P) at different depths (0, 5, 15 and 35 cm) of soil infiltration medium in bioretention system. Effluent total P (TP) concentration of the system was also monitored. Results indicated that the adsorption of inorganic P, Al–P and Fe–P by soil infiltration medium was implemented layer by layer from top to bottom and gradually weakened. Moreover, Ex-P was gradually transformed into Al–P and Fe–P, whereas Al–P was gradually transformed into Fe–P; thus, Ex-P content reduced layer by layer, whereas Al–P and Fe–P gradually accumulated. The TP removal rate in runoff rainwater by the system was more than 90%, where the TP that was not used by plants was under dynamic equilibrium in water–soil–root system/biological system.