New Dataset Reveals Accelerated Global Soil Phosphorus Release at Higher Temperatures

Jul 16, 2024

By Zhang Nannan

crp

A study published in Science Advances shows that phosphorus (P) release from soils is enhanced at higher mean annual temperatures (MAT). This finding is based on a new compilation of data on global surface soil temperatures and phosphorus content.

Phosphorus released from soils via chemical weathering (referred to as P weathering) plays a critical role in the global cycling of key elements and influences the size of the Earth's biosphere. While it has been theoretically proposed that global climate significantly affects P weathering, direct empirical evidence on a global scale has been lacking until now.

In this study, Profs. Guo Licheng, Zhao Mingyu, Xiong Shangfa, and Yang Shiling from the Institute of Geology and Geophysics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), together with their collaborators, compiled a geochemical dataset of global surface soils to investigate the relationship between climate and P weathering.

The dataset shows that temperature is the primary regulator of P mobility. It shows reduced P retention in soils in warmer climates (> 12°C) and with high silicate weathering intensities, characterized by the near-complete leaching of Na⁺, Ca²⁺, K⁺ from fresh regolith.

Further analysis indicates that lower soil pH in high weathering intensity environments promotes the removal of primary apatite and the dissolution of Al, Fe, Ca phosphates. In addition, in such environments, a higher kaolinite/illite ratio results in a decreased P adsorption capacity within clay minerals.

The researchers also calculated the relationship between modern global MAT and P weathering flux based on the observed relationship between MAT and P content, as well as the modern latitudinal distributions of temperature and land area. The model results show a rapid increase in P weathering flux within the global MAT range of 20°C to 23°C.

Video: Agriculture Secretary Rollins Speaks at American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Anaheim

One of the highlights at the 2026 American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Anaheim, California, was an address by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. During her remarks, she thanked America’s farmers and ranchers and said the Trump Administration is fully aware that food security is national security.

She also acknowledged the challenging times in Farm Country with low commodity prices and high input costs and said that’s why the President stepped in to help with the recent Bridge Assistance Program.

Montana Farm Bureau Federation Executive Vice President Scott Kulbeck says that Farm Bureau members are appreciative of the help and looks forward to working with the American Farm Bureau Federation and its presence in Washington, DC to keep farmers and ranchers in business.

Secretary Rollins said the Trump Administration is also committed to helping ranchers build back America’s cattle herd while also providing more high-quality U.S. beef at the meat case for consumers.

And she also announced more assistance for specialty crop producers who only received a fraction of the $12 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA).

It’s important to note that producers who qualify for Farmer Bridge Assistance can expect the Farm Service Agency to start issuing payments in late February. For more information, farmers and ranchers are encouraged to contact their local USDA Service Center.