Effect of interflow and baseflow on nutrient runoff characteristics in agricultural area

Abstract

The most common way of reducing non-point source pollutants from agricultural areas is the installation of reservoirs. However, this method is only effective for surface runoff of settleable pollutants. This study was conducted to estimate the effect of interflow, baseflow, and surface runoff on pollutant runoff in a small agricultural catchment. Runoff of organic matters, SS, and T-P were directly proportional to the rainfall variation, while ammonia and nitrate were inversely proportional to the amount of rainfall. The interflow and baseflow was only 46% of the total stream flow, but the nitrate load reached 78%. The interflow as a nutrient transport pathway should be considered for managing a stream water quality. It requires careful attention and appropriate control methodology such as vegetation to consider the influence by interflow. The reservoir as a dry extended detention pond (DEDP) has function of nutrient captor.