Movement of Water and Solutes in Agricultural Soils

Abstract

Intensive agricultural systems have increased in recent decades. These systems usually provide high soil disturbance that promotes negative consequences on soil physical, chemical, and biological processes. Soil compaction degrades soil structure causing changes in soil porosity, pore size distribution, and pore space geometry. Pore space dynamics affects the movement of water and the transport of solutes in soils because both are highly dependent on the properties of this space. Agricultural activities, which include the use of mechanization, soil fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides with the aim of creating a favorable condition for plant growth, can favor the soil erosion processes and increase the transport of contaminants to groundwater. Models for predicting water movement and transport of solute in soils are important to understand different scenarios of groundwater contamination and to improve appropriate soil management. Therefore, negative consequences and environmental impacts related to agricultural practices should be studied.