Simulation Study on Nitrogen Pollution in Shallow Groundwater in Small Agricultural Watersheds in the Huixian Wetland

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the influence of different simulations on the transport of shallow groundwater nitrogen in the Mudong River watershed of the Huixian Wetland, a karst wetland. Based on GMS (Groundwater Modeling System) software, the equivalent porous media model was used to simulate the transport of total nitrogen under different conditions in the study area. Two years of field monitoring data in the study area provided the input for the modeling. The SWAT (soil and water assessment tool) model was used to divide the study area into sub-basins. The initial concentration flux index W is first introduced in the equivalent porous medium model to calculate the initial concentration. The simulation results showed the difference between the simulated and monitored values of total nitrogen concentration was between 20% and 40% in 22.2% of the cases, and less than 20% in 66.7% of the cases, indicating that the solute transport model has good applicability in the Huixian Wetland. Parameter sensitivity analysis showed that fertilizer application was the main factor influencing total nitrogen. A 25% reduction in fertilizer application reduced total nitrogen emissions by 31.5% in sub-basin S3 and 22.5% in sub-basin S4. These reductions were greater than the abatement effect of changing land cover and managing river pollution. The pollution plume of total nitrogen was reduced by 38.5% in the southern part of sub-basin S3 (Mudong Lake) and by 40.2% in the western part of sub-basin S4 (Blacksmithing Village). The average concentration was reduced by 2.04 mg/L and 1.22 mg/L, respectively. This study shows that reasonable control of double-season rice nitrogen fertilizer application and appropriate land cover modification can help reduce total nitrogen emissions from wetlands in the Li River watershed and ensure the sustainable development of the local economy and groundwater.