Preconcentration and Separation of Trace Phosphorus Compounds in Soil Leachate

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Abstract
The speciafion of P in soil solutions and runoff waters presents an analytical challenge that must be overcome before P transfer processes can be fully understood. We describe a method employing strong anion exchange (SAX) resins for the concentration and speciation of trace amounts of P compounds in soil waters. Concentration of P was achieved by passing filtered samples through SAX cartridges and eluting the retained negatively charged species with a solution of 0.75 M NaCl and 0.5 mM EDTA. Separation was achieved by the application of strong anion exchange HPLC with a linear ionic gradient varying between 0.11 to 0.75 M NaCl and a constant concentration of 0.5 mM Na4EDTA. Total P detection was carried out by discrete fraction collection and manual analysis using a sulphuric acid‐persulphate digest followed by reaction with molybdate. We detected a range of P species in soil leachate water, which included orthophosphate, inositol hexaphosphate, glucose‐6‐phosphate, adenosine 5′‐triphosphate, phosphonates and other as yet unidentified forms of P. With refinements, this method has the potential to significantly enhance our understanding of the P forms in soil waters and the processes controlling P transfer from the land.

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