Adsorption and Precipitation of Phosphorus by Minerals in Soil

Dear Colleagues,

Phosphorus (P) is essential for all living organisms and predominantly exists in mineral form within soil. Currently, the primary mode of acquisition throughout ecosystems relies on plant absorption from soil, gradually transferring through the food chain. However, the burgeoning global population has intensified the demand for food production, resulting in excessive fertilizer application and the depletion of minable P resources. Consequently, efforts to address the deficiency of P resources have become an important research topic. Soil serves as the ultimate origin of the P cycle, emphasizing the bioavailability of phosphorus within soil as a critical focus.

Phosphorus (P) availability is widely assumed to be limited by the formation of metal phosphate precipitates. This process is further modulated by soil organic matter (SOM). Metal oxides, particularly iron/aluminum (Ca, Fe or Al), are considered the most active constituents in soil and play a crucial role in influencing the phosphorus cycle. The high surface activity of organic matter enables it to immobilize phosphorus, while its diverse species compete with phosphorus for mineral interface active sites, thereby facilitating phosphorus migration. Furthermore, silicate minerals, which form the primary component of soil, play a significant role in hindering phosphorus migration through adsorption and affecting the structure of metal oxides. In addition, advanced instrumentation such as transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and X-ray absorption fine structure have been extensively employed in research to illustrate the adsorption and immobilization of P by minerals in soil, along with its precipitation with metal ions such as iron and calcium. These studies highlight the mechanisms underlying the reduced bioavailability of phosphorus in soil. The combined research of specific relevant fields (for instance, mineralogy, geochemistry, agriculture and environmental interface chemistry) can elucidate the mechanisms underlying phosphorus adsorption and precipitation by soil minerals, and is crucial for proposing effective strategies to mitigate P deficiency issues.

The Special Issue of this journal welcomes submissions that encompass original scientific research or review papers pertaining to the mechanisms of the phosphorus cycle in soil. The Special Issue focuses on the following topics: (1) the influence of various mineral species on the P cycle; (2) the underlying mechanisms of P immobilization at the mineral interface; (3) dynamics of phosphorus release in soil; and (4) the applications of advanced methods for the P cycle at the mineral interface.

Dr. Wenjun Zhang
Dr. Hang Zhai
Dr. Xinfei Ge
Guest Editors

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