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A Protocol for Conducting Rainfall Simulation to Study Soil Runoff
Published on: April 3, 2014
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Nitrate Accumulation and Leaching in Surface and Ground Water Based on Simulated Rainfall Experiments
Hong Wang1, Jian-en Gao2, Xing-hua Li3
1Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling, Shaanxi Province, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
Plos One
|August 21, 2015
Summary
Simulated rainfall experiments show that nitrogen fertilizer application leads to significant nitrate leaching into surface and groundwater. High nitrate residues in soil pose a long-term risk to water quality.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Soil Science
- Hydrology
Background:
- Nitrate accumulation and leaching are critical environmental concerns.
- Understanding nitrogen fertilizer impacts on water quality is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate nitrate accumulation and leaching in surface and groundwater under simulated rainfall.
- To assess the impact of nitrogen fertilizer application rates on water contamination.
Main Methods:
- Simulated rainfall experiments on bare slopes (5.3 m2, 3°).
- Two nitrogen fertilizer treatments: high (22.5 g/m2 NH4NO3) and control (no fertilizer).
- Monitoring of nitrate concentrations in surface and groundwater flow over 12 rainfall experiments.
Main Results:
- Surface flow nitrate concentration initially increased then decreased, with most loss in the first 18.6 minutes.
- Groundwater nitrate concentrations exceeded 10 mg/L after the 7th experiment, showing a parabolic trend with a lag time.
- Significant nitrate residues (50.53%) remained in soil, concentrated at surface and bottom layers.
Conclusions:
- Nitrogen fertilizer application significantly increases nitrate leaching into water bodies.
- Residual soil nitrate poses a persistent threat to surface and groundwater quality.
- Effective management strategies are needed to mitigate nitrate pollution from agricultural runoff.
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