Warwick Dougherty
Research Project Title
Understanding phosphorus mobilisation in surface runoff from pastures to facilitate scaling from spot measures to sub-catchment estimates of nutrient export
Description
The process of P mobilisation in surface runoff from dairy pastures is dependent on a combination of hydrological and soil chemical factors. Understanding the interaction of these is crucial in developing effective remedial strategies. This project examines the variability of soil P forms, the influence of this variability on the processes of P mobilisation and subsequently the forms of P mobilised, viz. phosphate ions, colloidal organic or inorganic P or particulate P. The interaction of these processes with differing hydrological conditions is also being examined in order to better understand how and where in catchments P is mobilized. This data is being used in a collaborative project between CSIRO, SARDI and Primary Industries Victoria to better understand those parts of the landscape contributing to P exports in runoff from dairy farms in southern Australia. This combined with a better understanding of the processes of P mobilisation will contribute to the development of effective management strategies for reducing P exports.
Supervisors
David James Chittleborough
Dr Jim Cox (CSIRO L&W), Dr David Nash (Primary Industries Victoria)
Expertise
- Soil-water chemistry
- Soil analysis (chemical/physical and morphological)
- Rainfall simulation techniques
- Monitoring of runoff and hydrological regimes at sub-catchment scale
- Interaction of chemical processes with hydrological processes
Contact Details
Warwick Dougherty
Soil and Land Systems, Waite Campus
Urrbrae
South Australia 0
Research
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The University of Adelaide
