Division/Committee: [GEOC: Division of Geochemistry]

Phosphorus is a critical element for all living beings and ecosystem sustainability, yet its cycling in the environment has been profoundly altered by human activities, creating both local and global sustainability challenges. From soil and water microcosms to agricultural and waste management practices, biogeochemical drivers of phosphorus operate across a broad range of spatial and temporal scales. This symposium aims to bridge these scales, examining the complex processes that govern phosphorus availability, mobility, and cycling. These processes span from biogeochemical interactions at the micro to global scale, including strategies for resource management at the ecosystem or watershed level. We invite contributions that explore the biogeochemical behavior of phosphorus in both natural and anthropogenic systems, with particular a focus on: (a) the role of soil and sediment chemistry in regulating phosphorus retention, leaching, and sequestration; (b) microbial and plant-mediated processes that influence phosphorus cycling and bioavailability; (c) phosphorus dynamics in agricultural systems, including phosphorus use efficiency (e.g., with novel phosphorus nano fertilizers), environmental impacts, and sustainability practices; (d) strategies for phosphorus recovery and recycling from waste streams, including wastewater and agricultural runoff; and (e) policy frameworks and global governance strategies to ensure sustainable phosphorus use and management. We welcome experimental (e.g., using isotopes, spectroscopy, and ultra-high-resolution mass spectrometry), observational, and modeling approaches that integrate multiple scales to provide new insights into phosphorus cycling. This symposium will foster interdisciplinary discussions aimed at advancing sustainable phosphorus management in the face of growing environmental and resource challenges, contributing to a more resilient and sustainable future.

Mengqiang Zhu

University of Maryland

Appearances