Simulating nitrate concentrations in water draining from a small arable catchment in England

Abstract. The catchment simulated comprises 57 hectares of heavy clay soil managed as six arable fields. Mole and pipe drains carry surplus water into two ditches, one feeding into the other. Their combined flow was passed through a flume with an automatic water sampler, samples from which were analysed for nitrate. Measurements of nitrate concentration made during periods of water flow from 1990 to 1993 were simulated using a model comprising sub-models for leaching, mineralization, nitrogen uptake by crops and subsoil denitrification. The simulations were plotted against the measurements. For statistical evaluation, the correlation coefficient was used to assess the degree of association between the measurements and the simulations and the mean difference to assess the agreement. The correlation between the simulations and the measurements was significant in two of the three seasons, but the mean difference was significant in all three. However, taking all three seasons together gave a very highly significant correlation and a non-significant mean difference.     

Effects of the 1995–1997 drought on nitrate leaching in lowland England

Abstract. The effect of drought between summer 1995 and 1997 on stream and river nitrate concentrations was investigated using sites close to the long-running meteorological station in Oxford, UK. Nitrate concentrations in the River Windrush were relatively low during the drought, but after it had ended reached the highest level since records began in 1973. The low concentrations during the drought probably reflect a reduced contribution from agricultural runoff. High nitrate concentrations were found in a field drain at Wytham Environmental Change Network site during and after the drought, but discharge was greatly reduced. A woodland stream at Wytham had much lower nitrate concentrations than the field drain but these similarly increased during and after the drought. There was evidence that both a concentrating effect of low water volumes and enhanced soil nitrogen mineralization and nitrification rates were causing concentrations to rise. The effects of mineralization and nitrification were more important in woodland than agricultural land. Nitrate load over the course of a year was determined largely by discharge, but steeper gradients for the relationship between cumulative load and cumulative discharge were seen during and after the drought than before, reflecting the higher concentrations.     

Effects of land use on soil erosion and nutrient loss in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, China

Abstract. By comparing field measurements from 1989, 1997, and 1998, the differences between farmland (sloping farmland, sloping farmland with contour cultivation, terraced farmland) and orchard (terraced orchard, unterraced orchard), in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, were significant for runoff ( P <0.01), erosion ( P <0.05) and nutrient loss ( P <0.05). Taking into account economic costs and environmental influences, reasonable and sustainable land use on slopes of 25° in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area should be unterraced orchard.     

Effect of plot scale and an upslope phosphorus source on phosphorus loss in overland flow

Abstract. Phosphorus (P) in overland flow is mediated by soil P, added P, erosion, and hydrological processes and their interaction as affected by landscape position and length of flow. We investigated the effect of flow path length (1 to 10 m long plots) on P transport in overland flow with and without a localized dairy manure application (75 kg P ha^–1 added to the upslope end [0.5 m] of each plot) and simulated rainfall (7 cm h^–1), at two sites within an agricultural watershed in Pennsylvania, USA. Particulate loss in overland flow was c . 20% greater from manured than unmanured plots due to the less dense nature of manure than soil. Increased soil moisture at Site 2 contributed to a greater loss of P compared to Site 1, both with and without manure; with most occurring as particulate P (60 to 90% of total P). Further, the selective erosion of fine particulates (24 to 34% clay) and P loss increased with plot length. From a management perspective our results demonstrate that the forms and amounts of P loss are greatly influenced by flow path length and interactions among antecedent moisture, soil P, and texture.     

The Phosphorus Indicators Tool: a simple model of diffuse P loss from agricultural land to water

Abstract. The Phosphorus Indicators Tool provides a catchment-scale estimation of diffuse phosphorus (P) loss from agricultural land to surface waters using the most appropriate indicators of P loss. The Tool provides a framework that may be applied across the UK to estimate P loss, which is sensitive not only to land use and management but also to environmental factors such as climate, soil type and topography. The model complexity incorporated in the P Indicators Tool has been adapted to the level of detail in the available data and the need to reflect the impact of changes in agriculture. Currently, the Tool runs on an annual timestep and at a 1 km² grid scale.
We demonstrate that the P Indicators Tool works in principle and that its modular structure provides a means of accounting for P loss from one layer to the next, and ultimately to receiving waters. Trial runs of the Tool suggest that modelled P delivery to water approximates measured water quality records. The transparency of the structure of the P Indicators Tool means that identification of poorly performing coefficients is possible, and further refinements of the Tool can be made to ensure it is better calibrated and subsequently validated against empirical data, as it becomes available.     

The estimation of losses of potassium and magnesium from chalky soils in southern England: laboratory studies

Abstract. Ten chalk topsoils (0-25 cm) were repacked into columns in the laboratory. After leaching similar to one year's throughflow in the field, loss of K was equivalent to between 9 and 74kg K/ha. This represented between 3 and 30% of the initial exchangeable K with which loss was poorly correlated. Loss was dependant on the soil solution concentration and was inversely proportional to potassium buffer power.
The loss of magnesium in the same columns was between 10 and 22 kg Mg/ha (6-21% of the initial exchangeable Mg). Magnesium loss was poorly correlated with exchangeable Mg.
When KCl fertilizer was incorporated into the soils, the increase in leaching of potassium was 1–35% of the K addition. Application to the top of the column resulted in less leaching than when the K was incorporated. Leaching of magnesium was increased by up to 5 kg Mg/ha.
Potassium leaching may be delayed by the underlying A/C horizon but pure chalk, with an extremely low buffer power for K, has little ability to retain K. Extremely calcareous topsoils were the most leaky although in practice it is the organic chalk soils on which it is most difficult to attain adequate K levels. On all chalk soils, maintenance of a high K level with K fertilizer is likely to cause unnecessary long-term leaching losses. Annual, rather than biennial, fertilizer applications are to be preferred.     

Strategies to encourage better use of nitrogen in animal manures

Abstract. Research conducted in the MAFF Nitrate Programme has been used to formulate new and improved guidelines on the efficient use of manure nitrogen (N). In order to reduce nitrate leaching losses, manures containing large amounts of available N (i.e. slurries and poultry manures) should not be applied to free-draining soils in the period from autumn to early winter. Also, for efficient nutrient utilization manure application rates should be consistent with agronomic requirements (up to 250 kg total N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹). Existing farm machinery was shown to be capable of applying manures evenly to grassland and arable stubbles, but required an accurate estimate of application rate and the careful matching of spreading widths. To provide growers with detailed guidance on the fertilizer N replacement value of manures the computer-based decision support system MANNER (MANure Nitrogen Evaluation Routine) has been developed. The much improved understanding of manure N losses and availability has been summarized in a series of 'Managing Livestock Manures' booklets, the MAFF Fertilizer Recommendation booklet and the Codes of Good Agricultural Practice.     

The spatial variability of soil nitrates in arable and pasture landscapes: implications for the development of geographical information system models of nitrate leaching

Abstract. In response to the European Community Nitrate Directive (91/676) a catchment scale Geographical Information System (GIS) model of nitrate leaching has been developed to map nitrate vulnerability and predict average weekly fluxes of nitrate from agricultural land units to surface water. This paper presents a pilot study which investigated the spatial variability of soil nitrates in order to: (1) define an appropriate pixel size for modelling N leaching; (2) quantify the within-unit variability of soil nitrate concentrations for pasture and arable fields; and (3) assist in the design of an efficient sampling strategy for estimating mean nitrate concentrations. Soil samples, taken from two 800 m transects in early September 1994, were analysed for water soluble nitrate. The arable soils had a mean nitrate-nitrogen concentration of 0.693 μg/g (S.E. 0.054 μg/g) and the pasture soils had a higher mean nitrate-nitrogen concentration of 0.86 μg/g (S.E. 0.085 μg/g). Spatial variability was investigated using variograms. The pasture data had a weak spatial relationship, whereas the arable data exhibited a strong spatial relationship which fitted a spherical variogram model (r² 0.87), with a range of 40 m. A pixel size of 40 m is suggested for nitrate modelling within the GIS based on the arable variogram and an improved sampling strategy for model validation is suggested, involving bulking sub-samples over a 40 m grid for estimating mean nitrate concentrations in combined land use and soil units.     

气田开发工程水土流失特点与防治对策——以苏里格气田为例

结合苏里格3个气田开发工程的实际情况,对苏里格气田开发工程的组成、征占地面积、水土流失防治措施分别进行分析与评价,并通过经验总结,提出目前生产建设项目水土保持工作中存在的问题和不足。结果表明：1）气田工程项目组成较为复杂,占地以临时占地为主,占整个项目占地的75％左右;2）在水土流失防治分区中,以管网区与道路区所占比例最大,占整个项目占地的90％左右,同时也是整个项目中产生水土流失的重要部位,占整个项目水土流失量的90％左右,是水土流失防治与监测的重点部位。根据调查提出目前水土流失防治措施中存在的问题,并提出建设性意见和具体思路。     

矿山开采水土流失现状与治理措施

为减少矿产资源开采过程中造成的水土流失,掌握矿区水土流失规律,探索矿区恢复治理模式,在分析矿山开采水土流失概况及其原因的基础上,总结相应的工程措施、植物措施、土地整治和复耕措施等治理措施,同时提出治理过程中严格执行"三同时"的原则.     

不同农业用地类型对土壤性质和土壤环境的影响——以北京市延庆县为例

选择北京市延庆县为研究区域,通过对不同农业用地类型的土壤进行采样和分析,研究了延庆县不同农业用地类型对土壤性质和环境的影响,以期为北京市土壤的农业可持续利用提供依据。结果表明,研究区域粮田、菜地、果园的土壤pH值、有机质和碱解氮含量均显著低于林地;4种不同农业用地类型中表层土壤的As,Cd,Cr含量平均值分别超出北京市土壤背景值0.93,0.09和15.3 mg/kg。粮田、菜地耕作层的重金属含量高于林地和果园,内梅罗指数和单项污染指数评价表明这4种土壤利用类型尚属清洁。尽管研究区目前重金属污染程度较低,最高值仅为警戒值的74%,但其单项污染指数显示该地区土壤重金属累积速度较快。粮田土壤中As,Cd元素含量较退耕林地分别增加了20.9%和38.5%。如不加以控制,土壤重金属污染状况会进一步加剧。     

甘蔗集约化种植区施肥显著增加入河硝态氮污染:基于氮氧同位素的流域示踪

[目的]过量施用肥料会导致土壤养分过剩,在降雨径流冲刷下极易流失进入河湖水体,引起地表水体污染.本研究旨在阐明农区施肥与入河硝态氮污染的关系,为有效防控农业面源污染提供科学依据.[方法]选择广西集约化蔗区客兰水库水源区的那辣流域,应用双稳定同位素(δ15N-NO3–、δ18O-NO3–)示踪技术,确定流域内3个子流域(...     

四川省大户治理水土流失现状及对策

四川是长江上游水土流失最严重的省份.大户治理是加快水土保持生态建设步伐的重要力量.四川省各重点治理县在扶持大户治理水土流失方面进行了积极探索,总结了不少好的经验.针对存在的一些问题,提出了对策,一是完善大户治理的政策机制,二是依法加强治理大户的引导和监管.     

甘肃徽县铅锌污染农业区冬季土壤纤毛虫群落特征

2006年10月至2008年5月,用活体观察和固定染色方法对甘肃省徽县铅锌污染农业区土壤中纤毛虫冬季的群落特征进行了研究。在5 个样点中共鉴定到土壤纤毛虫75 种（包括9个未定名种和3个国内新记录种）,隶属于3纲、11目、30科、41属;对照1 、对照2 、厂区、县城和牟坝各样点的土壤中分别有纤毛虫42 、39、17、16和28 种;对照样点与受污染较重的厂区、县城和牟坝土壤中纤毛虫群落相似性系数为极不相似（q=0.14、0.22、0.27之间）;各样点的物种多样性指数分别为4.76、4.28、2.15、2.05和3.28;各样点的铅含量分别为211、182、490、427和434 mg·kg^-1,锌含量分别为48.4、46.8、1 194、166和392 mg·kg^-1。结果表明,铅锌污染对农业土壤纤毛虫群落有很大影响,主要体现在群落结构趋于简单化,物种多样性明显下降。     

土壤侵蚀经济损失及治理投入产出优化模型——以四川省名山县蒙山为例

 基于环境经济学的原理和方法,对研究区土壤侵蚀经济损失进行估算和分析。结果表明:研究区水土流失的直接经济总损失为1亿6901万元,占同期当地第一产业总产值的50.01%,水土流失直接经济损失最严重的是林地和坡耕地;其次,根据环境经济济产出表的基本结构,得出治理土壤侵蚀投入产出表,从理论上初步探索并建立治理土壤侵蚀过程中所得收益与不利产物的宏观总量的离散差分方程,进而导出优化模型。对土壤侵蚀经济损失估算及土壤侵蚀治理投入产出优化模型的初步探讨,可评估研究区土壤侵蚀的危害程度,并对引进基于市场机制的经济管理手段,建立直接管制和经济激励相结合的政策体系,促进当地水土保持工作开展及环境与经济协调发展等提供科学指导。     

Assessment of soil erosion at large watershed scale using RUSLE and GIS: a case study in the Loess Plateau of China

Soil erosion is a serious problem in the Loess Plateau of China, and assessment of soil erosion at large watershed scale is urgently need. This study used RUSLE and GIS to assess soil loss in the Yanhe watershed. All factors used in the RUSLE were calculated for the watershed using local data. RUSLE‐factor maps were made. The mean values of the R‐factor, K‐factor, LS‐factor, C‐factor and P‐factor were 970 209 MJ km⁻² h⁻¹ a⁻¹, 0·0195 Mg h MJ⁻¹ mm⁻¹, 10·27, 0·33359 and 0·2135 respectively. The mean value of the annual average soil loss was found to be 14 458 Mg km⁻² per year, and the soil loss rate in most areas was between 5000 and 20 000 Mg km⁻² per year. There is more erosion in the centre and southeast than in the northwest of Yanhe watershed. Because of the limitations of the RUSLE and spatial heterogeneity, more work should be done on the RUSLE‐factor accuracy, scale effects, etc. Furthermore, it is necessary to apply some physical models in the future, to identify the transport and deposition processes of sediment at a large scale. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Agri-environment schemes as a tool for reversing declining populations of grassland waders: Mixed benefits from Environmentally Sensitive Areas in England

Agri-environment schemes (AES) are a key tool in attempts to reverse long-term declines in farmland biodiversity within the European Union (EU). Approximately 20% of EU farmland is under AES agreement, at a cost of over €24 billion between 1994 and 2003. Despite this huge investment, few studies have investigated the effectiveness of schemes and those studies that do exist have often been inadequately designed or analysed. In southern England, repeat censuses of lowland breeding waders provide a rare opportunity to evaluate effectiveness of the Environmentally Sensitive Areas scheme (ESA), an AES designed with broad environmental objectives, including the maintenance or enhancement of the populations of these birds. The censuses provide a quasi-experimental approach, allowing a comparison to be made of breeding population trends of three species, Lapwing, Redshank and Snipe, on scheme and non-scheme land. The results show mixed success. For all three species, population trends were most favourable (increasing or declining less rapidly) in the more expensive ESA options aimed at enhancing habitat; the less expensive, habitat maintenance options, appear to have little benefit for Lapwing and Snipe, although Redshank has benefited. The results also show the increasing importance of nature reserves for these species in southern England. We suggest that although AES can result in significant benefits, especially when monetary investment is high, delivery of biodiversity targets are by no means guaranteed.     

Nitrate leaching and pasture yields following the application of dairy shed effluent or ammonium fertilizer under spray or flood irrigation: results of a lysimeter study

Abstract. Nitrate leaching and pasture ( Lolium perenne / Trifolium repens ) yields were measured on monolith lysimeters (80 cm diam. × 120 cm depth) of a Templeton sandy loam soil (Udic Ustochrept), following repeated applications of dairy shed effluent (DSE) or ammonium fertilizer (NH₄Cl), under spray (50 mm/month) or flood (100 mm/month) irrigation. Applications of DSE at 400 kg N/ha per annum resulted in significantly less nitrate leaching (8–25 kg N/ha per yr) compared with NH₄Cl (28–48kg N/ha per yr) ( P < 0.01). Over the two year period, the total mineral N (predominantly nitrate) leached was equivalent to 2.5–3.7% of the total N applied in the DSE and 8.7–9.8% of the N applied in the NH₄Cl. There was a trend of slightly less nitrate leaching under the flood irrigation than under the spray irrigation, probably because of the greater potential for denitrification under the wetter conditions. Average nitrate concentrations in the leachate were generally below the drinking water standard except in the NH₄Cl treatment under spray irrigation where it averaged 10 mg NO₃-N/l over the two year period. DSE was equally as effective as NH₄Cl in stimulating pasture dry matter production. Annual nitrogen uptakes were similar for the DSE (343 kg N/ha) and NH₄Cl (332–344kg N/ha) treatments in the first year but were higher in the DSE (361–412 kg N/ha) than in the NH₄Cl (324–340 kg N/ha) treatments in the second year. Pasture uptakes of phosphorus and sulphur were also higher in the DSE than in the NH₄Cl treatments in the second year. The results emphasize the need to set different regulatory limits for land application of organic wastes of various types and for N fertilizers.     

北川县在山区水土流失治理工作中的探索

2006-2008年度国家农发水保项目区四JlI省绵阳北川县都坝河项目区以"建设都坝贯岭万亩核桃基地"为目标,根据自身探索出的山区水土流失治理工作思路:以农发水保项目为龙头,国土、林业、农业等相关部门紧密配合,个体业主踊跃投入,项目区群众积极参与,以点带面、点面结合,全面开展了各项治理工作,从而探索出适合该地区水土流失治理的途径.     

Effects of two contrasting agricultural land‐use practices on nitrogen leaching in a sandy soil of Middle Germany

The objective of this study is to evaluate different agricultural land‐use practices in terms of N leaching and to give recommendations for a sustainable agriculture on sandy soils in Middle Germany. Soil mineral N (N_min) and leachate N were quantified at a sandy soil in N Saxony during 3 years. Two treatments were applied: intensive (I)—using inorganic and organic fertilizer and pesticides, and organic (O)—exclusively using organic fertilizer, legume‐based crop rotation, and no pesticides. Split application of mineral fertilizers did not result in substantial N losses at treatment I. Legumes induced a considerable increase of soil mineral N and particularly of leachate mineral N (N_{min_perc}) at treatment O. High N_{min_perc} concentrations (up to 78 mg N L^–1) were observed during as well as after the cultivation of legumes. These high N_{min_perc} concentrations are the reason why clearly higher N_{min_perc} losses were determined at treatment O (62 kg N ha^–1 y^–1) compared to treatment I (23 kg N ha^–1 y^–1). At both treatments, the quantity of N losses was strongly affected by the precipitation rates. Concentrations and losses of dissolved organic N (DON_perc) were assessed as above average at both treatments. The results suggest that the DON_perc concentration is influenced by precipitation, soil coverage, and organic fertilizers. Higher values were determined in the percolation water of treatment O. The average annual DON_perc losses amounted to 15 kg N ha^–1 at I and to 32 kg N ha^–1 at O. The average monthly percentage of DON_perc losses on the loss of the dissolved total N of percolation water (DTN_perc) ranged between <1% and 55% at O and between 2% and 56% at I. For the whole measuring period of 29 months, the relative amounts of DON_perc of DTN_perc (21% at O and 25% at I) were more or less the same for both treatments. The results show that DON_perc can contribute significantly to the total N loss, confirming the importance to consider this N fraction in N‐leaching studies. It was concluded that at sandy sites, a split application of mineral fertilizers, as applied at treatment I, seems to be more expedient for limiting the N leaching losses than legume‐based crop rotations.