Towards a multi-basin SWAT model for the migration of nutrients and pesticides to Puck Bay (Southern Baltic Sea)

Abstract

Background This paper analyzes the impact of changes in fertilization on crop yields and the runoff of nutrients from a small agricultural catchment (176 km2) to a shallow bay, using the SWAT model. Puck Bay is part of the Gulf of Gdansk and belongs to the Baltic Sea. The whole area of Puck Bay (364 km2) is protected (Natura 2000) yet despite this it suffers from eutrophication problems due to the relatively minimal depth and difficult water exchange. Methods The paper presents a comparison of the calculated yields and the runoff of nutrients and pesticides in the SWAT model, for a small agricultural coastal catchment. Calculations were made for 13 crop scenarios with weather data from 2011 to 2019. For each crop, an agriculture calendar was made. Two variants of fertilization were considered (autofertilization mode and according to the calendar). The nutrient runoff was calculated depending on the adopted scenario. In addition, the fate of selected pesticides was simulated. Results Depending on the crop, the annual load of NO3into the stream ranged from 0.74 to 3.65 kg ha−1. The annual load of organic phosphorous into the stream was between 0.686 and 3.64 kg ha−1. This is lower than in the majority of EU or Baltic countries. The surface runoff of dissolved Glyphosate was equal to 286 mg ha−1. The annual loads of nutrients from the catchment area are equivalent in both fertilization modes. Regardless of the selected fertilization mode, in addition to the dosage, the form of nutrients is important for the model.

Archives of Environmental Protection

“…This area is mainly used for agriculture. Cropland covers 60% of the area, forests 29% and urbanized areas 11% (Wielgat et al, 2021). This study is focused mainly on small rivers in Puck commune and watercourses flowing through the Nature Reserve "Beka" (NRB), because small catchments respond much faster to pollutant inflow, which is especially important when agricultural use dominates and fertilizers are washed from fields with rain (Kyllmar et al, 2014).…”

The Use of Satellite Data to Determine the Changes of Hydrodynamic Parameters in the Gulf of Gdańsk via EcoFish Model

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