Nitrate dynamics in springs and headwater streams with agricultural catchments in southwestern Germany

Weber, Gero; Honecker, Ulrich; Kubiniok, Jochen

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137858

Cited by 11 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…It is worth noting that at some measurement sites (T1, T3, T4), the maximum values of NO 3 − concentration in the winter and spring exceeded 15 mg•dm −3 . Such values are relatively small in comparison to values reaching 50 mg•dm −3 , which were recorded in the studies conducted in the Samica Stęszewska River catchment [71], Theel River catchment [72], and Gowienica Miedwia ńska River catchment [30]. Despite the high hydrological connectivity in the investigated period, it must be stated that the concentrations of biogenic compounds in the Mogielanka River catchment were relatively low, which could be connected with the lower use of fertilizers in orchards.…”

Section: Relationships Between Precipitation and Biogenic Concentrations And Between Chemical Compoundsmentioning

confidence: 59%

Spatial and Seasonal Dynamics of Inorganic Nitrogen and Phosphorous Compounds in an Orchard-Dominated Catchment with Anthropogenic Impacts

Stępniewski

Łaszewski

2021

Sustainability

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The influence of various types of agricultural activities on the dynamics of biogenic compounds of flowing water was broadly recognized in many spatial and temporal scales. However, relatively minor attention was paid to the hydrochemical functioning of horticultural catchments despite their importance and dominance in some regions of Europe. Thus, the current study investigated spatial and seasonal variations in inorganic nitrogen and phosphorous compounds in stream water in the Mogielanka River catchment, with 72% covered by apple orchards. Water samples were collected from fifteen sites distributed across the catchment in the monthly timescale from March 2020 to February 2021. Concentrations of NO3−, NO2−, NH4+, and PO43− were determined photometrically, while in situ water temperature, oxygen saturation, electrical conductivity, and pH, were measured with the use of portable devices. The impact of horticulture was mainly documented in the higher concentration of NO3− during the winter months; however, maximum values did not exceed 15 mg·dm−3 and were relatively low in comparison to catchments dominated by arable lands. The authors also found a clear impact of unstratified reservoirs and inflows from wastewater treatment plants on the dynamics of biogenic compounds. The correlations of PO43− with the sums of precipitation suggested, in turn, that increased PO43− concentration mainly results from poor sewage management. The results provided preliminary but unique and spatially extensive insight into the functioning of an orchard-dominated lowland catchment and allowed the researchers to point out the main recommendations for improving water quality in similar regions.

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Section: Relationships Between Precipitation and Biogenic Concentrations And Between Chemical Compoundsmentioning

confidence: 59%

Spatial and Seasonal Dynamics of Inorganic Nitrogen and Phosphorous Compounds in an Orchard-Dominated Catchment with Anthropogenic Impacts

Stępniewski

Łaszewski

2021

Sustainability

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“…Besides, with simultaneous, continuous discharge recording, the area-specific substance loads can be reliably estimated. Recent studies have shown that this leads to similar results as complex continuous measuring devices (Weber et al, 2020).…”

Section: Monitoring Of Springs and Headwatersmentioning

confidence: 68%

New Challenges Towards the Ecological Management of Paliastomi Lake Will Significantly Improve the Local Environment With Far-Going Positive Global Consequences

Abramia

Gverdsiteli

Eristavi

et al. 2021

Preprint

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BackgroundThe purpose of the research was to provide the review of the institutional and legal requirements and evaluation of the existing sanitary-biological research of the Lake Paliastomi waters; study the current state of environment, problems of pollution from agricultural sources, municipal wastewater and industry in line with the bacterial pollution caused by migratory waterfowl of the Lake Paliastomi, an internationally recognized habitat, wintery and transit area of the birds and an important tourism site. ResultsHave been prepared the analytical data on: the review of the institutional and legal requirements; evaluation of the existing sanitary-biological research of the following waters in the Lake; definition of dynamics of sanitary-microbial indicators in flowing waters; study of biological characteristics of secreted pathogenic agents and definition of their vulnerability towards bacteriophages; mathematical simulation model on different scenarios of dissemination of chemical pollutants and pathogenic bacteria in the lake Paliastomi. The researchers identified that the pollution by nutrient-rich water causing large blooms of algae and aquatic plants that in its turn leaves little oxygen for fish and other aquatic animals, resulting in the eutrophication followed by suffocation of aquatic life.ConclusionsThe solution of problem requires complex respond: the selected spring sites, regular monitoring of nitrate contents and other basic physico-chemical water parameters; simultaneous, continuous discharge recording; monitoring and maintaining water levels in the wetlands; removing sediment and organic debris build up in wetland pond and etc.Mathematical modeling of dissemination of the pathogenic bacteria in the Lake Paliastomi enables us to permanently monitor not only the inflowing waters of Paliastomi Lake, but seasonal sources of bacterial pollution due to the migratory birds. In line with monitoring, localized prophylactic point sources spraying of Salmonella bacteriophage cocktail (SBC) by agricultural drones will be useful to restrain bacterial contamination.

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“…Watercourses that are already signi cantly contaminated in the area near the spring will receive additional point-source and non-point-source inputs further downstream. Because there is no signi cant nitrate retention in the upper reaches of the watercourse [29], and any dilution effect due to in ltration of inter ow water is only to be expected when passing through longer, wooded sections or grassland zones, it can be assumed that the pollution level is at least constant along the entire length of the watercourse. The overall conclusion is that, despite major efforts by the authorities to protect bodies of water, nitrate inputs caused by agriculture have not been signi cantly reduced since the turn of the millennium.…”

Section: Development the Nitrate Content The Springs Over Two Decadesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Whereas soil moisture samples taken with the aid of lysimeters can only provide spatially limited data that are representative of the eld from which they are collected, spring waters integrate the diverse uses throughout the catchment area. As forest and grassland areas discharge comparatively low levels of nitrate [29], we can assume that the share of cropland in the spring catchment area is decisive for the nitrate content of agriculturally impacted springs. This means that, for any given watercourse with various sources of pollution, the share of non-point-source nitrate inputs from agriculture can be estimated based on knowledge of the share of cropland in the catchment area.…”

Section: Introduction and Objectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In terms of area, the sampling sites are evenly distributed within the principal geological units dominating the study area. Sampling was conducted at monthly intervals, which provides a su ciently accurate picture of the pollution pro les of the springs compared to timeconsuming continuous measurements [29]. The monitoring network had already been established and successively expanded between 2000 and 2001.…”

Section: Introduction and Objectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Spring Waters as an Indicator for Non-Point-Source Nitrate Pollution of Rural Watercourses – Findings from Two Decades of Spring Monitoring in the Low Mountain Landscape of Saarland

Weber

Kubiniok

2021

Preprint

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Background:Interflow-dominated spring waters provide a comprehensive picture of emissions with nitrate and other pollutants caused by the type and intensity of land use in the topographic catchment area. One aim of this study was to develop a model for predicting the share of nitrate pollution from non-point sources based on the type of agricultural use in the catchment areas of small and medium-sized watercourses. Methods:Fifty-five springs in Saarland and the adjacent Rhineland-Palatinate were monitored for pollutants during three monitoring periods of at least twelve months duration between 2000 and 2019. The catchment areas are representative of the natural regions in the study area and are outside the influence of settlements and other developments. In addition to nitrate and other physicochemical parameters, 25 agriculturally impacted springs were screened for pesticides and their metabolites.Results:Since the first measurements were taken in 2000, the vast majority of agriculturally impacted springs have consistently exhibited high nitrate concentrations of between 20 and 40 mg/L NO3-. Springs not influenced by agriculture contain an average of 3.6 mg/L of nitrate. The extreme values observed in the early 2000s decreased to the limit value of 50 mg/L, but most of the springs with moderate levels exhibited an increase to approximately 30 mg/L. The number of pesticidal agents detected in the spring waters demonstrates a clear correlation with the intensity of agricultural usage and the nitrate content detected. A regression model derived from the highly significant correlation between nitrate content and the share of cropland in the catchment area can be used to quantify the share of nitrate pollution attributable to non-point-source inputs for larger catchments in the region under investigation.Conclusion:Nitrate discharged from farmland has not decreased since the EC WFD entered into force. At the extremely heavily polluted sites of the past, measures have been implemented in the meantime that have led to compliance with the limit value of the Nitrate Directive. As below this limit, nitrate levels are increasing significantly, we suggest to incorporate the marine ecology target as a binding mark for official water pollution control in the future.

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Nitrate dynamics in springs and headwater streams with agricultural catchments in southwestern Germany

Cited by 11 publications

References 36 publications

Spatial and Seasonal Dynamics of Inorganic Nitrogen and Phosphorous Compounds in an Orchard-Dominated Catchment with Anthropogenic Impacts

Spatial and Seasonal Dynamics of Inorganic Nitrogen and Phosphorous Compounds in an Orchard-Dominated Catchment with Anthropogenic Impacts

New Challenges Towards the Ecological Management of Paliastomi Lake Will Significantly Improve the Local Environment With Far-Going Positive Global Consequences

Spring Waters as an Indicator for Non-Point-Source Nitrate Pollution of Rural Watercourses – Findings from Two Decades of Spring Monitoring in the Low Mountain Landscape of Saarland

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