Editorial: Phosphorus along the soil-freshwater-ocean continuum

Abstract

Phosphorus (P) is an essential element for all organisms. However, there is a P paradox, whereby P concentrations considered deficient in some environments such as in agricultural soils are considered excessive in freshwater, where they trigger eutrophication (e.g., Sims and Sharpley, 2005 and references therein; Elser and Bennet, 2011; Lougheed, 2011). Geographical imbalances also occur, with excesses in Western Europe and North America and deficiencies in regions with highly weathered soils, such as sub-Saharan Africa. There is a strong link between soil P stores and P mobilization and transfer to receiving waters, termed the P transfer continuum (Haygarth et al., 2005). Ensuring adequate P for crop production while minimizing water quality degradation requires consideration of this continuum and an international, interdisciplinary approach. This research topic brings together P studies in soil science, lakes, rivers, estuaries, and oceans, with 74 authors from 12 countries in Asia, Europe, and North America, and identifies key priorities for future research.