Microbial Activities and Phosphorus Release

Phosphatase Activity of Floe and Soils in the Water Conservation Area (WCA-2A) of the Northern Everglades 

The role of microorganisms in the transformation of organic phosphorus to inorganic phosphorus in soils has long been recognized. Microorganisms can influence DIP release in soils as follows  

FIGURE 9.51 Relationship between phosphatase activity and organic phosphorus mineralization in a wetland soil. (Adapted from McLatchey and Reddy, 1998.) 

Varieties of methods are used to determine the mineralization of organic phosphorus. These include 

Basal mineralization of organic phosphorus or potentially mineralizable organic phosphorus (PMP) 

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