Formulation of Indices to Describe Intrinsic Nitrogen Transformation Rates for the Implementation of Best Management Practices in Agricultural Lands

Aschonitis, Vassilis; Salemi, Enzo; Colombani, Nicolò; Mastrocicco, Micòl

doi:10.1007/s11270-013-1489-1

Cited by 17 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…Since the investigated watershed is a recently reclaimed lowland, completely flat and with a slope mostly less than 0.05% [53], the proportion of soil N excess flowing into the canal network by surface runoff is a minor component of the N budget. On the contrary, groundwater NO 3 − pollution may be relevant, via vertical transport trough the vadose zone.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

In Search for the Missing Nitrogen: Closing the Budget to Assess the Role of Denitrification in Agricultural Watersheds

et al. 2020

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Although representing a paramount mechanism against nitrogen excess in agricultural landscapes, soil denitrification is still a largely unknown term in nitrogen balances at the watershed scale. In the present work, a comprehensive investigation of nitrogen sources and sinks in agricultural soils and waters was performed with the aim of gaining insights into the relevance of soil denitrification in a highly farmed sub-basin of the Po River delta (Northern Italy). Agricultural statistics, water quality datasets, and results of laboratory experiments targeting nitrogen fluxes in soils were combined to set up a detailed nitrogen budget along the terrestrial–freshwater continuum. The soil nitrogen budget was not closed, with inputs exceeding outputs by 72 kg N·ha−1·year−1, highlighting a potential high risk of nitrate contamination. However, extensive monitoring showed a general scarcity of mineral nitrogen forms in both shallow aquifers and soils. The present study confirmed the importance of denitrification, representing ~37% of the total nitrogen inputs, as the leading process of nitrate removal in heavily fertilized fine-texture soils prone to waterlogged conditions.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

In Search for the Missing Nitrogen: Closing the Budget to Assess the Role of Denitrification in Agricultural Watersheds

et al. 2020

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“…The depth of the groundwater table and the K s values were used to estimate the relative transit time TT (days) of percolated water to reach groundwater. The formulas defining the aforementioned indices, together with an explanation of their derivation, can be found in Aschonitis et al (2012) while additional LOS indices describing the intrinsic rates of nitrogen transformations are provided in Aschonitis et al (2013).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Potential evapotranspiration, PE, was determined using the Thornthwaite and Mather method (Black 2007) in both case studies. Irrigation, IR, was estimated as the sum of monthly deficits of PCP to cover PE (Aschonitis et al 2013).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of the intrinsic vulnerability of agricultural land to water and nitrogen losses: case studies in Italy and Greece

et al. 2014

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Abstract. LOS indices (abbr. of Losses) can be used for the assessment of the intrinsic vulnerability of agricultural land to water and nitrogen losses through percolation and runoff. The indices were applied on the lowland region of Ferrara Province (FP) in Italy and the upland region of Sarigkiol Basin (SB) in Greece. The most vulnerable zones in FP were the coastal areas consisting of high permeability sandy dunes and the areas close to riverbanks and palaeochannels, and in SB were the areas characterized by high slopes and high permeability soils at high altitude and areas belonging to the upper part of the alluvial plain close to the boundaries between agricultural land and mountainous regions. The application of LOS indices highlighted the specific features of both lowland and upland regions that contribute to water and nitrogen losses and showed their ability for use as tools in designing environmental management plans.

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“…Increased stream nitrate (NO 3 -) loading stimulates denitrification and concomitant nitrous oxide (N 2 O) production 5 (Beaulieu et al, 2011). Nitrate is also the most ubiquitous chemical contaminant in the world's aquifers (Spalding, Exner, 1993).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevention of water pollution caused by nitrates from agriculture in Serbia

Vuković

Popović

Subić

et al. 2018

Ekonomika poljoprivrede

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A B S T R A C TKnowledge of agricultural soil vulnerability to water and nitrogen losses is essential for designing management guidelines to minimize water pollution from agriculture. Here, the authors presented the results of assessing the intrinsic vulnerability of agricultural soil of the City of Pančevo (Serbia) to water and nitrogen losses using LOS indices method. As the most vulnerable, the indices, presented in the form of vulnerability maps, marked the northeast part of the City of Pančevo area, including part of Deliblato Sands. Determined closed periods for use of fertilizers, rules for soil application and balanced fertilization, optimized production structure and irrigation methods, application of contour ploughing and conservation tillage and maintenance of buffer strips are among the priority nitrogen best management practices (BMPs) for agriculture and water protection. Well-tailored, site-specific nitrogen BMPs based on the LOS analysis can significantly improve compliance with EU Nitrate Directive, which transposition is ongoing in Serbia.

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Formulation of Indices to Describe Intrinsic Nitrogen Transformation Rates for the Implementation of Best Management Practices in Agricultural Lands

Cited by 17 publications

References 58 publications

In Search for the Missing Nitrogen: Closing the Budget to Assess the Role of Denitrification in Agricultural Watersheds

In Search for the Missing Nitrogen: Closing the Budget to Assess the Role of Denitrification in Agricultural Watersheds

Assessment of the intrinsic vulnerability of agricultural land to water and nitrogen losses: case studies in Italy and Greece

Prevention of water pollution caused by nitrates from agriculture in Serbia

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