Iron-bearing groundwater makes phosphate less harmfull

The release of phosphorus (P) to surface water from heavily fertilised agricultural fields is of major importance for surface water quality. New PhD research financed by Deltares showed that the effects of phosphate losses from agricultural sources on the ecological quality of surface water are smaller than previously thought. The conclusion was that Netherlands is fortunate that the water system in many places immobilises large amounts of dissolved phosphorus and stores it in ditches.