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Vegetated Treatment Systems for Removing Contaminants Associated with Surface Water Toxicity in Agriculture and Urban Runoff
Published on: May 15, 2017
Parameter importance and uncertainty in predicting runoff pesticide reduction with filter strips
Rafael Muñoz-Carpena1, Garey A Fox, George J Sabbagh
1Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-0570, USA. carpena@ufl.edu
Journal of Environmental Quality
|February 24, 2010
Summary
Vegetative filter strips (VFS) effectively reduce sediment and pesticide runoff. Hydraulic conductivity is key for VFS performance, but model uncertainty requires careful interpretation of results for effective environmental management.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Hydrology
- Soil Science
Background:
- Vegetative filter strips (VFS) are crucial for mitigating surface runoff pollution.
- Numerical models like VFSMOD-W aid in assessing VFS effectiveness but require sensitivity and uncertainty analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify input factor importance and quantify uncertainty in VFSMOD-W predictions.
- To evaluate VFSMOD-W performance across diverse field scenarios and soil types.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Morris screening and extended Fourier Analysis Sensitivity Test (FAST) for global sensitivity analysis.
- Analyzed VFS data from three studies on silty clay loam and silt loam soils with multiple pesticides.
Main Results:
- Saturated hydraulic conductivity was the primary factor influencing infiltration and runoff.
- Hydraulic conductivity, particle size, and Manning's roughness coefficient were critical for sedimentation.
- Pesticide trapping efficiency was mainly driven by infiltration and hydraulic conductivity.
Conclusions:
- VFS performance varies significantly based on hydraulic and sediment loading rates.
- Process-based modeling is essential for accurately predicting VFS effectiveness.
- Wide uncertainty ranges in predicted reductions necessitate cautious application of model outputs.
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