Antropogenic input of nitrogen and riverine export from a Mediterranean catchment. The Celone, a temporary river case study

Girolamo, Anna Maria De; Balestrini, Raffaella; D’Ambrosio, Ersilia; Pappagallo, Giuseppe; Soana, Elisa; Porto, A. Lo

doi:10.1016/j.agwat.2017.03.025

Cited by 33 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…To quantify the point and diffuse pollution, modelling activities, coupled with a few monitoring data, were used. Although, in recent years, many efforts have been made to increase environmental monitoring and make the data more easily accessible, several small river basins with intermittent river networks, such as the study area, are still poorly monitored [8,46]. Here, hydrologists and ecologists are expected to find new approaches to overcome the difficulties that derive from data paucity.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Source Apportionment of Nutrient Loads to a Mediterranean River and Potential Mitigation Measures

Girolamo

Porto

2020

Water

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The aims of the study were to quantify nutrient loads from point and diffuse pollution sources in the Rio Mannu stream and to simulate mitigation measures for reducing nutrient loads delivered to the Santa Gilla wetland. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool model was used for simulating hydrology, nutrient balance and water quality. At the basin scale, the input from fertilisers was 80.3 kg ha−1 year−1 total nitrogen (TN) (87.6% of the total input) and 27.6 kg ha−1 year−1 of total phosphorus (TP) (99.8% of the total input). Atmospheric deposition and biological N-fixation together accounted for about 12% of the total TN input. The TN and TP from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) were about 14.2 t year−1 and 3.1 t year−1, respectively. Nutrient loads delivered to the river system differed among the sub-basins, with TP ranging from 0.2 kg ha−1 year−1 to 2.7 kg ha−1 year−1, and the sum of organic N and NO3-N ranging from 1.8 kg ha−1 year−1 to 22.9 kg ha−1 year−1. Under high flow conditions, NO3-N and TP accounted for 89% and 99% of the total load, respectively. The low flow contribution to the total load was very low, with NO3-N and TP accounting for 2.8% and 0.7%, respectively. However, the natural hydrological regime in the study area is intermittent, and low flow represents a critical condition for the water quality due to the high concentrations of TP and NO3-N from WWTP discharge. To improve the water quality, the reuse of treated wastewater from three WWTPs for irrigation purposes on olive cultivation, coupled with a 20% reduction in fertiliser application, was simulated. The results showed a reduction in nutrient loads at the outlet for all hydrological conditions. However, additional measures are needed for improving water quality.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Source Apportionment of Nutrient Loads to a Mediterranean River and Potential Mitigation Measures

Girolamo

Porto

2020

Water

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“…All of the agronomic data needed by the hydrological models (such as type, timing and amount of fertilizers used for each crop, annual crop yields, tillage operations, irrigation supply, and grazing) were identified through the analysis of the interviews (Appendix B). Both farmers and agricultural advisors were selected precisely in order to gain information covering the whole basin [27,28]. Nutrients from animal manure and grazing used to fertilize fields were quantified by multiplying the live weight of each animal type by its animal-specific total nitrogen (TN) excretion rate [29].…”

Section: Spatial Analysis For Building a Geodatabasementioning

confidence: 99%

A Spatial Analysis to Define Data Requirements for Hydrological and Water Quality Models in Data-Limited Regions

D’Ambrosio

Girolamo

Spanò

et al. 2019

Water

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The objective of the present work is a spatial analysis aimed at supporting hydrological and water quality model applications in the Canale d’Aiedda basin (Puglia, Italy), a data-limited area. The basin is part of the sensitive environmental area of Taranto that requires remediation of the soil, subsoil, surface water, and groundwater. A monitoring plan was defined to record the streamflow and water quality parameters needed for calibrating and validating models, and a database archived in a GIS environment was built, which includes climatic data, soil hydraulic parameters, groundwater data, surface water quality parameters, point-source parameters, and information on agricultural practices. Based on a one-year monitoring of activities, the average annual loads of N-NO3 and P-PO4 delivered to the Mar Piccolo amounted to about 42 t year−1, and 2 t year−1, respectively. Knowledge uncertainty in monthly load estimation was found to be up to 25% for N-NO3 and 40% for P-PO4. The contributions of point sources in terms of N-NO3 and P-PO4 were estimated at 45% and 77%, respectively. This study defines a procedure for supporting modelling activities at the basin scale for data-limited regions.

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“…However, the interactions between the components are expressions of the functions of the system such as nutrient cycling, water flow/exchange dynamics between the atmosphere (rainfall), the surface water and the shallow groundwater system. However, influence of agricultural land-use activity and hydrological modifications (affecting a biotic factor) are said to affects the attributes and functions of wetlands ecosystem [12][13][14][15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Agriculture and wetlands has not had a very harmonious relationship in the past and agricultural activities have been affecting ground and surface water quality adversely from both point and non-point sources [10][11][12]. In Lesotho, wetlands are called mekhuabo, which apart from serving as refuge for wildlife, are primarily utilize to sustain agricultural activities at the local communities.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They can be categorized under three broad categories: palustrine, lacustrine and riverine [13,16]. The palustrine wetlands are the dominant type and these include mires (bogs and fens), most of which are found at high altitude, at valley heads and at the upper reaches of rivers [8][9][10][11][12]. The lacustrine on the other hand occupies land area of ≥0.41 ha and comprises of artificial impoundments for water supply and soil conservation works (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Isotopic Signatures (δ13C and δ15N) and Characteristics of Two Wetland Soils in Lesotho, Southern Africa

Olutayo¹

2019

Wetlands Management - Assessing Risk and Sustainable Solutions

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There is sparse data on comparative analysis of soil indicators and isotopic signatures to monitor the health of wetland ecosystems in Lesotho. This study used (i) soil indicators (i.e. soil organic carbon (SOC), soil organic carbon density, and silt:clay ratio) and (ii) isotopic signatures (δ 13 C and δ 15 N) to monitor environmental change aquatic ecosystems of Lesotho. Transects of 2000 m were chosen in two agro-ecological zones (AEZ) (Lowlands and Mountains) of Lesotho and subdivided into upper (US), middle (MS) and toe slopes (TS). Soil samplings were made horizon-wise (1.20 m deep) in triplicates, labeled and shipped to the laboratory in plastic bags. Aquatic vegetation samples were randomly collected along these transects for stable isotopes. All samples analyzed using standard procedures. Results showed that wetlands located in the Lowlands (Ha-Matela) AEZ were much more degraded and heavily impacted. This indicated by low silt/clay ratios, low SOC contents and SOC density and less negative δ 13 C compared to that of Mountains AEZ (Butha Buthe). Thus, these indicators can be used to predict degradation of wetlands. However, the severity of degradation, can be easily predicted the δ 13 C values and δ 13 N served as a robust indicator of wetland eutrophication. These results showed that soil indicators used as well as stable isotopes signatures used (i.e. δ 13 C and δ 13 N) may be used as monitoring tools for wetland management and restoration.

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Antropogenic input of nitrogen and riverine export from a Mediterranean catchment. The Celone, a temporary river case study

Cited by 33 publications

References 49 publications

Source Apportionment of Nutrient Loads to a Mediterranean River and Potential Mitigation Measures

Source Apportionment of Nutrient Loads to a Mediterranean River and Potential Mitigation Measures

A Spatial Analysis to Define Data Requirements for Hydrological and Water Quality Models in Data-Limited Regions

Isotopic Signatures (δ13C and δ15N) and Characteristics of Two Wetland Soils in Lesotho, Southern Africa

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