Spatial assessment of animal manure spreading and groundwater nitrate pollution

Abstract

Abstract. Nitrate concentration in groundwater has frequently been linked to non-point pollution. At the same time the existence of intensive agriculture and extremely intensive livestock activity increases the potential for nitrate pollution in shallow groundwater. Nitrate used in agriculture could cause adverse effects on human and animal health. In order to evaluate the groundwater nitrate pollution, and how it might evolve in time, it is essential to develop control systems and to improve policies and incentives aimed at controlling the amount of nitrate entering downstream water systems. The province of Caserta in southern Italy is characterized by high levels of animal manure loading. A comparison between manure nitrogen production and nitrate concentration in groundwater was carried out in this area, using geostatistical tools and spatial statistics. The results show a discrepancy between modelling of nitrate leaching and monitoring of the groundwater and, moreover, no spatial correlation between nitrogen production in livestock farms and nitrate concentration in groundwater, suggesting that producers are not following the regulatory procedures for the agronomic use of manure. The methodology developed in this paper could be applied also in other regions in which European Union fertilization plans are not adequately followed.

Assessing Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Nitrogen Loss in a Forage-Based System Using a Modeling Approach

“…In intensive agriculture and livestock areas, in particular where sandy soils are prevalent, excess of irrigation and fertilization may lead to pollution of groundwater. Similar findings in adjacent areas with intensive buffalo breeding were obtained by Infascelli et al [55].…”

“…In intensive agriculture and livestock areas, in particular where sandy soils are prevalent, excess of irrigation and fertilization may lead to pollution of groundwater. Similar findings in adjacent areas with intensive buffalo breeding were obtained by Infascelli et al [55]. Figure 3 shows the results of the WinEPIC simulation of the NO3 − concentration in soil water for two complete annual crop cycles, together with the values of measured NO3 − concentration in the lysimeters; during the second corn crop no samples were considered.…”

Assessment of nitrogen content in buffalo manure and land application costs

“…The number of heads per livestock herd is high in some areas; the ratio of heads per ha of usable agricultural surface exceeds 10 head/ha (Infascelli et al, 2010). Infascelli et al (2009) found a discrepancy between modelling of nitrate leaching and monitoring of the groundwater. Also, no spatial correlation between nitrogen production in livestock farms and nitrate concentration in groundwater was found (Infascelli et al, 2009).…”

Characterization of Terrestrial Discharges into Coastal Waters with Thermal Imagery from a Hierarchical Monitoring Program

“…Without the hierarchical monitoring via helicopter, prior coastal monitoring for this region limited its focus to pollution from the largest channels, including the Volturno, and another large channel further north, called the Garigliano [36][37][38][39]. Due to the larger discharge plumes from these rivers, they have been considered to be the principal cause of water quality impairment.…”