Sequential phosphorus extraction in acidic and non-acidic tundra, Toolik, Alaska (2021)

The goal of this study was to measure the various pools of inorganic and organic phosphorus and the minerals associated with those pools of phosphorus in soils with differing soil pH and soil moisture conditions. Soils were collected over the summer of 2021 along two tundra hillslopes (one acidic and one non-acidic) near Toolik Lake. Each study hillslope had three sites with soil moisture conditions delineated as Dry, Mesic, and Wet, with three replicate 5 x 5 meter (m) plots at each site. Soil samples were collected from each replicate plot at three sampling events over the summer of 2021. Soils were extracted using a 2-inch stainless steel corer and were frozen upon return from the field. The sampled soils were separated by horizon and then underwent a sequential phosphorus extraction to measure organic and inorganic pools of phosphorus and minerals associated with the pools of phosphorus.