The evaluation of the amount of total and soluble P in surface waters is insufficient to diagnose their pollution potential. This study aimed to evaluate the P fractions and soil properties related to P release from eroded sediments of landscape units with different pressure levels of anthropogenic activity. Water + sediments were sampled in two landscape units of a sub-watershed of the small watershed Arroio Lino, in Agudo, RS, Brazil. The following properties were evaluated: pH, sediment concentration, total organic C, sand, silt and clay fractions, iron extracted by DCB (Fe d) and by oxalate (Fe ox), soluble P (Ps), total P (Pt), bioavailable particulate P (Ppb), potentially bioavailable particulate P (Pppb) and amount of phosphate desorbed with distilled water (Q0). It was possible to estimate the maximum capacity of phosphate adsorption (Pmax), the equilibrium concentration of phosphate (CEP) and the constant (k) related with the phosphate bond energy in the sediment. In comparison with areas with less anthropogenic activity, the sediments eroded from areas with high anthropogenic activity contained: (a) higher Pt and Pppb concentration and lower Ppb quantity; (b) higher Pmax and k values and (c) lower Q0 and CEP quantities. These results indicate the higher pollution potential of eroded sediments from areas with high anthropogenic activity, especially in stagnant water.
small watershed; soil use; water quality; riparian forest
