Phosphorus and nitrogen losses associated with runoff and erosion on an Aridisol in northern Iraq

Runoff and soil erosion are known to cause a degradation in soil and water quality. Six natural runoff plots (three 10 m long and three 30 m long) were established on 6% uniform slope area for the study of P and N losses associated with runoff and soil erosion in northern Iraq. The soil at the site belongs to the Calciorthid suborder which dominates in the low rainfall zone of northern Iraq. Runoff, erosion, and associated P and N losses, were recorded from these plots for three rainfall seasons. Results illustrated that eroded sediment is always rich in available P and inorganic N compared to the original soil. Concentrations of soluble P and soluble N in runoff illustrated significant variability both between storms and between seasons. Both sediment-bound P and soluble P were significantly correlated with the ratio of runoff to rainfall.