Groundwater protection and diffuse nitrogen emissions to surface waters – which catchment areas have to be considered?

2007 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 103-110
Author(s):  
C. Schilling ◽  
M. Zessner ◽  
A.P. Blaschke ◽  
D. Gutknecht ◽  
H. Kroiss
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Total Nitrogen ◽  
Surface Waters ◽  
Flow Path ◽  
Emission Model ◽  
Catchment Scale ◽  
Danube Basin ◽  
Nitrogen Emissions ◽  
Nitrogen Levels ◽  
Catchment Areas

Two Austrian case study regions within the Danube basin have been selected for detailed investigations of groundwater and surface water quality at the catchment scale. Water balance calculations have been performed using the conceptual continuous time SWAT 2000 model to characterise catchment hydrology and to identify individual runoff components contributing to river discharge. Nitrogen emission calculations have been performed using the empirical emission model MONERIS to relate individual runoff components to specific nitrogen emissions and for the quantification of total nitrogen emissions to surface waters. Calculated total nitrogen emissions to surface waters using the MONERIS model were significantly influenced by hydrological conditions. For both catchments the groundwater could be identified as major emission pathway of nitrogen emissions to the surface waters. Since most of the nitrogen is emitted by groundwater to the surface water, denitrification in groundwater is of considerable importance reducing nitrogen levels in groundwater along the flow path towards the surface water. An approach was adopted for the grid-oriented estimation of diffuse nitrogen emissions based on calculated groundwater residence time distributions. Denitrification in groundwater was considered using a half life time approach. It could be shown that more than 90% of the total diffuse nitrogen emissions were contributed by areas with low groundwater residence times and short distances to the surface water. Thus, managing diffuse nitrogen emissions the location of catchment areas has to be considered as well as hydrological and hydrogeological conditions, which significantly influence denitrification in the groundwater and reduce nitrogen levels in groundwater on the flow path towards the surface water.

Nitrogen fluxes on catchment scale: the influence of hydrological aspects

2005 ◽  
Vol 52 (9) ◽  
pp. 163-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Zessner ◽  
Ch. Schilling ◽  
O. Gabriel ◽  
U. Heinecke
Keyword(s):  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
River System ◽  
High Water ◽  
Emission Model ◽  
River Systems ◽  
Catchment Scale ◽  
Nitrogen Emissions ◽  
Limit Values ◽  
Nitrogen Inputs ◽  
Catchment Areas

In two catchment areas with altogether eight subcatchments characterising different site-specific situations the interaction between anthropogenic activities (e.g. agriculture, nutrition and waste water management), nitrogen emissions and in stream loads as well as concentrations were studied in detail. Groundwater is the most important pathway for nitrogen inputs into surface waters. Denitrification in the soil/subsurface/groundwater system controls the amount of this input to a high extent. Key factors influencing this process are organic carbon availability, geology, precipitation and groundwater recharge rates as well as residence time in groundwater. The MONERIS emission model is a useful tool to quantify these relationships on (sub-)catchment scale. Areas where concentrations in groundwater (e.g. nitrate) tend to be higher due to little dilution with water and might be problematic in respect to limit values for drinking water, are much less relevant in respect to the loads transported to river systems and receiving seas, than regions with high precipitation. In cases with high water availability mainly high loads transported downstream and finally to the receiving sea are a considerable problem. Within a region mainly areas close to river systems contribute to nitrogen discharges to the river system because of the short residence times of the groundwater from these areas and - related to this - a lower influence of denitrification in the groundwater.

Nitrogen retention in a river system and the effects of river morphology and lakes

2005 ◽  
Vol 51 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 19-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Venohr ◽  
I. Donohue ◽  
S. Fogelberg ◽  
B. Arheimer ◽  
K. Irvine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Area ◽  
Surface Waters ◽  
Water Surface ◽  
Nitrogen Retention ◽  
River System ◽  
Catchment Scale ◽  
Nitrogen Emissions ◽  
Water Surface Area ◽  
Nutrient Emissions ◽  
The Mean

The mean annual transfer (loss and retention) of nitrogen in a river system was estimated using a conceptual approach based on water surface area and runoff. Two different approaches for the calculation of water surface area were applied to determine riverine nitrogen retention in four European catchments, ranging between 860–14,000 km2 in area, and differing considerably in the proportion and distribution of surface waters, specific runoff and specific nutrient emissions. The transfer rate was estimated sequentially as either the mean value for the total catchment, on a sub-catchment scale, or considering the distribution of water surface area within a sub-catchment. For the latter measure, nitrogen retention in larger lakes was calculated separately. Nitrogen emissions modelled with MONERIS and HBV-N were used to calculate nitrogen river loads and compare those with observed loads. Inclusion of the proportion of water area within a sub-catchment improved modelled results in catchment with large lakes in sub-catchments, but not where there was a homogenous distribution of surface waters among sub-catchments.

scholarly journals Modelling the effects of climate on long-term patterns of dissolved organic carbon concentrations in the surface waters of a boreal catchment

2008 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 437-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. N. Futter ◽  
M. Starr ◽  
M. Forsius ◽  
M. Holmberg
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Dissolved Organic Carbon ◽  
Surface Waters ◽  
Organic Soils ◽  
Catchment Scale ◽  
Changing Climate ◽  
Recovery From Acidification ◽  
Carbon Concentrations ◽  
Process Based Models

Abstract. Dissolved organic carbon concentrations ([DOC]) in surface waters are increasing in many regions of Europe and North America. These increases are likely driven by a combination of changing climate, recovery from acidification and change in severity of winter storms in coastal areas. INCA-C, a process-based model of climate effects on surface water [DOC], was used to explore the mechanisms by which changing climate controls seasonal to inter-annual patterns of [DOC] in the lake and outflow stream of a small Finnish catchment between 1990 and 2003. Both production in the catchment and mineralization in the lake controlled [DOC] in the lake. Concentrations in the catchment outflow were controlled by rates of DOC production in the surrounding organic soils. The INCA-C simulation results were compared to those obtained using artificial neural networks (ANN). In general, "black box" ANN models provide better fits to observed data but process-based models can identify the mechanism responsible for the observed pattern. A statistically significant increase was observed in both INCA-C modelled and measured annual average [DOC] in the lake. This suggests that some of the observed increase in surface water [DOC] is caused by climate-related processes operating in the lake and catchment. However, a full understanding of surface water [DOC] dynamics can only come from catchment-scale process-based models linking the effects of changing climate and deposition on aquatic and terrestrial environments.

scholarly journals Modelling the effects of climate on long-term patterns of dissolved organic carbon concentrations in the surface waters of a boreal catchment

2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 3175-3207 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. N. Futter ◽  
M. Starr ◽  
M. Forsius ◽  
M. Holmberg
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Dissolved Organic Carbon ◽  
Surface Waters ◽  
Organic Soils ◽  
Catchment Scale ◽  
Changing Climate ◽  
Recovery From Acidification ◽  
Carbon Concentrations ◽  
Process Based Models

Abstract. Dissolved organic carbon concentrations ([DOC]) in surface waters are increasing in many regions of Europe and North America. These increases are likely driven by a combination of changing climate, recovery from acidification and change in severity of winter storms in coastal areas. INCA-C, a process-based model of climate effects on surface water [DOC], was used to explore the mechanisms by which changing climate controls seasonal to inter-annual patterns of [DOC] in the lake and outflow stream of a small Finnish catchment between 1990 and 2003. Both production in the catchment and mineralization in the lake controlled [DOC] in the lake. Concentrations in the catchment outflow were controlled by rates of DOC production in the surrounding organic soils. The INCA-C simulation results were compared to those obtained using artificial neural networks (ANN). In general, "black box" ANN models provide better fits to observed data but process-based models can identify the mechanism responsible for the observed pattern. A statistically significant increase was observed in both INCA-C modelled and measured annual average [DOC] in the lake. This suggests that some of the observed increase in surface water [DOC] is caused by climate-related processes operating in the lake and catchment. However, a full understanding of surface water [DOC] dynamics can only come from catchment-scale process-based models linking the effects of changing climate and deposition on aquatic and terrestrial environments.

scholarly journals Microplastics distribution in the Eurasian Arctic is affected by Atlantic waters and Siberian rivers

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Evgeniy Yakushev ◽  
Anna Gebruk ◽  
Alexander Osadchiev ◽  
Svetlana Pakhomova ◽  
Amy Lusher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Surface Waters ◽  
Water Masses ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Plastic Pollution ◽  
Siberian River ◽  
Highest Weight ◽  
Surface Samples ◽  
Atlantic Origin ◽  
Type Size

AbstractPlastic pollution is globally recognised as a threat to marine ecosystems, habitats, and wildlife, and it has now reached remote locations such as the Arctic Ocean. Nevertheless, the distribution of microplastics in the Eurasian Arctic is particularly underreported. Here we present analyses of 60 subsurface pump water samples and 48 surface neuston net samples from the Eurasian Arctic with the goal to quantify and classify microplastics in relation to oceanographic conditions. In our study area, we found on average 0.004 items of microplastics per m3 in the surface samples, and 0.8 items per m3 in the subsurface samples. Microplastic characteristics differ significantly between Atlantic surface water, Polar surface water and discharge plumes of the Great Siberian Rivers, allowing identification of two sources of microplastic pollution (p < 0.05 for surface area, morphology, and polymer types). The highest weight concentration of microplastics was observed within surface waters of Atlantic origin. Siberian river discharge was identified as the second largest source. We conclude that these water masses govern the distribution of microplastics in the Eurasian Arctic. The microplastics properties (i.e. abundance, polymer type, size, weight concentrations) can be used for identification of the water masses.

scholarly journals Effect of Sewage Sludge Compost Usage on Corn and Faba Bean Growth, Carbon and Nitrogen Forms in Plants and Soil

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 628
Author(s):  
Hassan E. Abd Elsalam ◽  
Mohamed E. El- Sharnouby ◽  
Abdallah E. Mohamed ◽  
Bassem M. Raafat ◽  
Eman H. El-Gamal
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
Plant Growth ◽  
Total Nitrogen ◽  
Faba Bean ◽  
Residual Effect ◽  
Growth Period ◽  
Nitrogen Forms ◽  
Amended Soils ◽  
Nitrogen Levels

Sewage sludge is an effective fertilizer in many soil types. When applied as an amendment, sludge introduces, in addition to organic matter, plant nutrients into the soil. When applied for cropland as a fertilizer, the mass loading of sewage sludge is customarily determined by inputs of N and/or P required to support optimal plant growth and a successful harvest. This study aims to examine the changes in organic matter contents and nitrogen forms in sludge-amended soils, as well as the growth of corn and faba bean plants. The main results indicated that there were higher responses to the corn and faba bean yields when sludge was added. Levels of organic carbon in soil were higher after maize harvest and decreased significantly after harvesting of beans, and were higher in sludge amended soils than unmodified soils, indicating the residual effect of sludge in soil. NO3−-N concentrations were generally higher in the soil after maize harvest than during the plant growth period, but this trend was not apparent in bean soil. The amounts of NH4+-N were close in the soil during the growth period or after the maize harvest, while they were higher in the soil after the bean harvest than they were during the growth period. Total nitrogen amounts were statistically higher in the soil during the growth period than those collected after the corn harvest, while they were approximately close in the bean soil. The total nitrogen amount in corn and bean leaves increased significantly in plants grown on modified sludge soil. There were no significant differences in the total nitrogen levels of the maize and beans planted on the treated soil.

scholarly journals Practical strategies for identifying groundwater discharges into sediment and surface water with fiber optic temperature measurement

2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. 1772-1778 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Selker ◽  
Frank Selker ◽  
Julie Huff ◽  
Russ Short ◽  
Deborah Edwards ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Temperature Measurement ◽  
Surface Waters ◽  
Fiber Optic ◽  
Remedial Actions ◽  
Fiber Optic Temperature

Identifying or ruling out groundwater discharges into sediment and surface waters is often critical for evaluating impacts and for planning remedial actions.

scholarly journals Transient flow between aquifers and surface water: analytically derived field-scale hydraulic heads and fluxes

2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 649-669 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. H. de Rooij
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Transient Flow ◽  
Hydrological Cycle ◽  
Realistic Model ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Subsurface Water ◽  
Water Model ◽  
Infinite Strip ◽  
Catchment Scale ◽  
Basin Scale

Abstract. The increasing importance of catchment-scale and basin-scale models of the hydrological cycle makes it desirable to have a simple, yet physically realistic model for lateral subsurface water flow. As a first building block towards such a model, analytical solutions are presented for horizontal groundwater flow to surface waters held at prescribed water levels for aquifers with parallel and radial flow. The solutions are valid for a wide array of initial and boundary conditions and additions or withdrawals of water, and can handle discharge into as well as lateral infiltration from the surface water. Expressions for the average hydraulic head, the flux to or from the surface water, and the aquifer-scale hydraulic conductivity are developed to provide output at the scale of the modelled system rather than just point-scale values. The upscaled conductivity is time-variant. It does not depend on the magnitude of the flux but is determined by medium properties as well as the external forcings that drive the flow. For the systems studied, with lateral travel distances not exceeding 10 m, the circular aquifers respond very differently from the infinite-strip aquifers. The modelled fluxes are sensitive to the magnitude of the storage coefficient. For phreatic aquifers a value of 0.2 is argued to be representative, but considerable variations are likely. The effect of varying distributions over the day of recharge damps out rapidly; a soil water model that can provide accurate daily totals is preferable over a less accurate model hat correctly estimates the timing of recharge peaks.

scholarly journals Waterborne Viruses and F-Specific Coliphages in Mixed-Use Watersheds: Microbial Associations, Host Specificities, and Affinities with Environmental/Land Use Factors

2016 ◽  
Vol 83 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tineke H. Jones ◽  
Julie Brassard ◽  
Edward Topp ◽  
Graham Wilkes ◽  
David R. Lapen
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Surface Water ◽  
Surface Waters ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Land Development ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Surface Water Flow ◽  
Mixed Use ◽  
Human Viruses ◽  
Waterborne Viruses

ABSTRACT From the years 2008 to 2014, a total of 1,155 water samples were collected (spring to fall) from 24 surface water sampling sites located in a mixed-used but predominantly agricultural (i.e., dairy livestock production) river basin in eastern Ontario, Canada. Water was analyzed for viable F-specific DNA (F-DNA) and F-specific RNA (F-RNA) (genogroup I [GI] to GIV) coliphage and a suite of molecularly detected viruses (norovirus [GI to GIV], torque teno virus [TTV], rotavirus, kobuvirus, adenovirus, astrovirus, hepatitis A, and hepatitis E). F-DNA and F-RNA coliphage were detected in 33 and 28% of the samples at maximum concentrations of 2,000 and 16,300 PFU · 100 ml−1, respectively. Animal TTV, human TTV, kobuvirus, astrovirus, and norovirus GIII were the most prevalent viruses, found in 23, 20, 13, 12, and 11% of samples, respectively. Viable F-DNA coliphage was found to be a modest positive indicator of molecularly detected TTV. F-RNA coliphage, unlike F-DNA coliphage, was a modest positive predictor of norovirus and rotavirus. There were, however, a number of significant negative associations among F-specific coliphage and viruses. F-DNA coliphage densities of >142 PFU · 100 ml−1 delineated conditions when ∼95% of water samples contained some type of virus. Kobuvirus was the virus most strongly related to detection of any other virus. Land use had some associations with virus/F-specific coliphage detection, but season and surface water flow were the variables that were most important for broadly delineating detection. Higher relative levels of detection of human viruses and human F-RNA coliphage were associated with higher relative degrees of upstream human land development in a catchment. IMPORTANCE This study is one of the first, to our knowledge, to evaluate relationships among F-specific coliphages and a large suite of enteric viruses in mixed-use but agriculturally dominated surface waters in Canada. This study suggested that relationships between viable F-specific coliphages and molecularly detected viruses do exist, but they are not always positive. Caution should be employed if viable F-specific coliphages are to be used as indicators of virus presence in surface waters. This study elucidates relative effects of agriculture, wildlife, and human activity on virus and F-specific coliphage detection. Seasonal and meteorological attributes play a strong role in the detection of most virus and F-specific coliphage targets.

scholarly journals Geochemistry of intertidal sediment pore waters from the industrialized Santos-Cubatão Estuarine System, SE Brazil

2012 ◽  
Vol 84 (2) ◽  
pp. 427-442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Winston F.O. Gonçalves ◽  
Wanilson Luiz-Silva ◽  
Wilson Machado ◽  
Erico C. Nizoli ◽  
Ricardo E. Santelli
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Pore Water ◽  
Surface Waters ◽  
Water Concentration ◽  
Point Sources ◽  
Intertidal Sediment ◽  
Estuarine System ◽  
Pore Waters ◽  
Geochemical Composition ◽  
Se Brazil

The geochemical composition of sediment pore water was investigated in comparison with the composition of sediment particles and surface water in an estuary within one of the most industrialized areas in Latin America (Santos-Cubatão estuarine system, SE Brazil). Pore and surface waters presented anomalously high levels of F-, NH4+, Fe, Mn and P due to two industrial point sources. In the summer, when SO4(2-)/Cl- ratios suggested an enhanced sulfate reduction, the higher dissolved levels observed in pore waters for some metals (e.g., Cu and Ni) were attributed to reductive dissolution of oxidized phases. Results evidenced that the risks of surface water concentration increase due to diffusion or advection from pore water are probably dependent on coupled influences of tidal pumping and groundwater inputs.

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