Abstract
Simulations were carried out with the dual-porosity soil water and contaminant transport model MACRO to represent leaching of ammonium through field drains following spreading of slurry. These drain flows can contain short-lasting loadings of ammonium, but the concentration of ammonium varies very widely dependent on weather and soil conditions. The model was calibrated on the basis of an earlier study in which ammonium concentrations in drain flows were measured following slurry spreading. Predictive simulations were carried out representing spreading slurry on each day for 10 yr at two sites. These showed high leaching loads where slurry was spread on wet soil. When slurry was spread on relatively dry soil, leaching loads were low, even when heavy rain occurred within a few days following spreading. This differed from the situation with some other contaminants where rainfall following spreading had a significant effect on contaminant loads. Benefits of selecting ‘spreading days’ in relation to soil and weather conditions were investigated. This could reduce (almost to zero) the number of days when high losses would occur, as well as the average overall loss level.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.