Monitoring and modelling are two complementary instruments necessary for the analysis of pollution phenomena, such as groundwater contamination and lakes eutrophication, often generated by diffuse (nonpoint) sources (NPS). A review of scientific literature has been conducted to obtain the information necessary to develop a correct methodology relative to environmental field monitoring and modelling agricultural nonpoint pollution. A questionnaire has been handed out to several researchers who are involved in this research field in order to learn of other pertinent activities being undertaken and to facilitate the exchange of information. Testing and verification of a methodology for the analysis of contamination caused by the use of agrochemicals, based on field monitoring studies and the application of a distributed nonpoint pollution model, have been conducted in Italy. Based on the research developed and practical experience, some of the main guidelines for conducting studies of pollution processes caused by agriculture as well as a summary of theoretical and practical aspects encountered in the design of field and basin scale model validation studies and in the use of published experimental results to test models can be proposed.
Plant growth and phosphorus accumulation of wild type and two root hair mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana
(Brassicaceae)
