Phosphate binding capacity (history)

In the Provincial Environment Plan Drenthe II adopted by Provincial States of 7 July 2004, map D shows the phosphate binding capacity at a highest groundwater level. The extent to which agricultural land phosphate leaks to surface water depends on the soil’s capacity to retain phosphate (phosphate binding capacity) and on the flow of water through the soil to ground and surface water. In limeless soils, phosphate is mainly bound to iron and aluminium hydroxides. In calcareous soils, phosphate is mainly recorded in the form of calcium phosphates. The risk of phosphate leaching to ground and surface water increases the more the soil becomes saturated with phosphate and groundwater levels are higher.