Stable Oxygen Isotope Composition of Phosphates to Investigate Phosphorus Cycling in the Soil–Plant Continuum

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of how the stable isotope composition of oxygen bond to phosphorus, δ(18O)PO4, in phosphate can be used to investigate P cycling in the soil–plant continuum. In recent years, several books and articles about different aspects of P cycling have been published. This chapter provides summary information about P cycling in the soil–plant continuum focusing on the current methods in P research. It also provides an overview of the pitfalls of the δ(18O)PO4 method, especially regarding sampling and sample handling. The chapter concludes with the way forward and prospects of the δ(18O)PO4 method to investigate P cycling in the soil–plant continuum.