Is phosphate reduced to phosphine in waterlogged soils?

A sensitive gas Chromatographie method for detection and estimation of phosphine (PH3) evolved from waterlogged soils is described. It involves use of a column of Porapak Q for isothermal (100°C) separation of phosphine from gases known to be evolved from waterlogged soils and detection of this gas with a helium-ionization detector. Studies using this method did not confirm previous evidence for evolution of phosphine through microbial reduction of phosphate in waterlogged soils. They also showed that phosphine is sorbed by soil constituents and may not escape to the atmosphere if produced in soils.