How is phosphorus primarily transported during soil erosion?

Phosphorus is primarily transported during soil erosion via sediment runoff in water. When soil is eroded, it can carry with it various particles, including those rich in nutrients like phosphorus. This sediment is then washed into nearby water bodies through surface runoff, especially during rainfall events.

Phosphorus tends to bond tightly to soil particles, meaning that when soil is displaced, phosphorus is often transported alongside it. This movement can contribute significantly to nutrient loading in aquatic ecosystems, which may lead to issues such as algal blooms and water quality degradation.

In contrast, leaching refers to the downward movement of soluble substances, which is not the primary mechanism for phosphorus transport since it largely remains attached to soil particles. Plant uptake and growth are processes that utilize phosphorus rather than transport it, and microbial decomposition deals with the breakdown of organic matter, which also does not involve the physical transport of phosphorus caused by soil erosion.